Dying Light 1.2's recent patch 2 did not go over well with fans, who are angry after the update weakened one of the game's best elements.
Though intended as an Easter egg, the Korek amulet has become popular with players because it allows them to effectively bypass the game's weapon degradation system. Weapons in Dying Light 2 degrade with use, requiring discard them and replace them with shiny new options.
While it is possible to restore the durability of degraded weapons by equipping them with stat-boosting mods, each mod only restores 50 durability. By comparison, the beloved Korek Charm restored a whopping 500 durability, making weapons unbreakable.
However, Dying Light 1.2 patch 2 nerfed the Korek amulet, reducing its durability buff to just 300 points. Additionally, you now need to spend 666 Scrap (the game's collectible resource) to craft the item. Rest assured, that's a lot of junk, which will take a long time to accumulate in the game.
Many Dying Light 2 players did not respond well to the item nerf, which was not listed in the official 1.2 patch notes. Most are disappointed that Korek Charm no longer allows them to bypass the game's weapon downgrading system, forcing them to switch weapons instead of sticking with their favorite.
The Korek amulet was especially popular with advanced players who had completed their main questline. By equipping the item, they would be able to explore the game's large map without lugging around a weapon management system they'd rather avoid.
Techland has already addressed player concerns and promised to adjust the item in future updates. "We wanted to balance it out, not make it fun," the official Dying Light 2 Twitter account said in response to a fan's comments.
Meanwhile, the game's lead designer, Tymon Smektała, said that the item had been tampered with without his knowledge, saying that he would "try to restore it and make it more meaningful." He also pointed out that Korek Charm was originally designed as an easter egg, not as an official way to bypass the game's downgrade system.
Analysis: Broken weapons are controversial
(*two*)
(Image credit: Techland)Weapon downgrading systems have long been a point of contention in video games. While designers see them as a convenient way to encourage players to try out a game's many elements, players often complain that they are cumbersome and ruin the fun of a game by throwing up irritating obstacles.
The reaction of Dying Light 2 players to this latest patch only cements this opinion. Most are disappointed that they no longer have an easy way to make their weapons unbreakable, forcing them to participate in a weapon downgrading system they don't like.
While it looks like Techland will restore the item to its original form, this player's reaction doesn't shed a fantastic light on the game's weapon system. Players are actively looking for ways around its intended design, and whether downgrading weapons is good or bad. Techland's implementation of the idea in Dying Light 2 doesn't seem to have caught the attention of many fans.