Although the "Distressed Light" series has always focused on melee combat, the first generation of works also provide players with a wealth of gun choices.Series Director Tymon Smektala recently confirmed that the upcoming new work "The Deserted Light: The Hidden Beast" is no different in this regard.In an interview, Smektala explores in-depth the long-standing “complex relationship” between the series and the guns – the light of the guns has often been overshadowed by more fun melee systems since the first “The Deserted Light.”

Smektala describes the traditional role played by guns in the series: “If the Dead Light and the Gun were on Facebook, their relationship status would be ‘unspeakable’.” He noted that it was relatively easy to add guns to the original Dead Light, thanks to the experience gained by the team in developing the Wild West, which is centered on gunfighting.However, because the game's melee fighting experience was highly praised and fun, the players' feedback was finally: "Why bother to join the gun?"

Smektala said this directly led to the decision to completely abandon the gun in "The Deserted Light 2".But this raised new questions. He mentioned that the primary feedback he received after the game was released was: "Where is the gun?" In the end, "The Deserted Light 2" re-added the gun to the player's arsenal through subsequent updates and DLC.

Regarding the upcoming "Departed Light: The Sleeping Beast", Smektala said the studio decided to give players the right to choose between guns and melee.However, this also means that the development team must carefully balance the two combat styles to ensure that they are equally attractive and feasible to the player."For The Deserted Light: The Sleeping Beast, we decided that if the player wants a gun, we'll give it to them, but at the same time we're going to focus on polishing the guns so that they can feel really alongside melee combat."

“The Deserted Light is always a game about finding solutions to your own problems,” Smektala further elaborates, “Go where you want to go and solve problems in your own way. And now, we want guns to be another tool in your toolbox.” He stressed that choosing to use guns or melee “should provide the same level of risk and reward, but the implementation is different.”

It is worth noting that "The Deserted Light: The Hidden Beast" has been postponed until September 19, 2025, so let's stay tuned.