The Don’t Look Back in Anger quest is also one of the more emotional and interesting side quests in Dying Light: The Beast. Not only does it explore Kyle’s past and traumatic experience further, but it also connects with the telepath story in the Exiles Cave. Although it’s one of the better stories in the game, the quest can be challenging because it sends you on your way to various locations with minimal direction.
This guide describes where the Tree of Madness is located, how to access the old house, and what to anticipate from the emotional peak with Starchild.
Step 1: Gathering Ingredients
Your first obligation is to acquire two ingredients: bark from the Tree of Madness and a gallbladder from a deserted house in the swamp forest.
The Tree of Madness
Go to the park indicated by the quest marker. Take a look at your map, and you should see the Tree of Madness on the “D” in Golden Pine. When you get close, the tree will auto-highlight. Get the bark, and then head back to your car (or pick up a new one in the area) to drive further to the swamp forest.
The Abandoned House in the Swamp Forest
The abandoned house isn’t far from the marker. Drive west along the small road leading to it, and you’ll find the structure waiting. Getting inside takes a little platforming:
- Go around to the back of the house and climb the ladder.
- Enter through a hole in the roof.
- Drop down into the interior through a smaller opening in the floor.
- Follow the gap in the wall to descend deeper, where you’ll notice unsettling notes plastered everywhere.
- Slip through another crack to reach a room with four Biters. Defeat them and loot their gallbladders.
- With both ingredients in hand, you’re ready to meet Starchild.
Step 2: Talking to Starchild in His Oasis
Your destination from here is Starchild’s oasis, the most visually appealing part of the game. To get there, go towards the hills and along the path between two ridges to the gate. Stop for a moment and enjoy the view before reaching Starchild.
He’ll make you drink something that makes Kyle deal with his past.
Step 3: Confronting the Trauma
You’ll wake up in a lab cell. Leave and take the hallway until you get to the arena where the battle starts.
Initially, the Spitter enemy can’t be damaged—don’t bother running around after it. Instead, take out the Runners first to fill your Beast Gauge. When it’s full, turn on Beast Mode. The Spitter will then have a visible health bar and you can let loose your attacks and end the battle.
After the fight, you will see a great cutscene that integrates Kyle’s trauma with the telepaths and their bond with him.
Quest Rewards
Finishing Don’t Look Back in Anger will reward you with:
- 2 Intermediate Manual Pages
- +10,000 XP
- Co-op Lootbox (in case completed in co-op mode)
This quest shines through in its narrative rather than gameplay, but the blend of exploration, puzzle-like traversal, and an unusual boss battle makes it stand out. More significantly, it provides insight into the usually obtuse Kyle’s mind for once, making it one of Dying Light: The Beast’s most memorable side quests.
