Dead by Daylight has developed from an obscure niche game to a hit. Find out here why this horror game might be your next game.
The developer Behaviour Interactive has demonstrated persistence with Dead by Daylight. Almost four years after the release, Dead by Daylight is bigger than ever before. It has not only been released on PC but also on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The latest record was more than a million players logging into Dead by Daylight in a single day. Quite impressive for a game that filled a small niche for a long time.
But why has Dead by Daylight grown so much and why is it a candidate for “Find Your Next Game“? We aim to clarify that here.
What is Dead by Daylight?
Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical horror game where one killer faces off against four survivors. On the over 30 maps, whose details change with each match, survivors must repair 5 out of 7 generators to open the exit gates and escape.
What does the killer have to do? The killer, on the other hand, must prevent this. Using their own abilities, the killer must down all survivors and then hook them, where they are slowly sacrificed to a dark deity.
This is what survivors do: Survivors have only limited options to defend themselves. They must hide and can only briefly stun the killer by throwing a pallet in front of them or shining a flashlight in their eyes. However, these options are severely limited per map. Those who squander such elements too quickly will find themselves without means to escape from the killer by the end of a match.
All five characters are controlled by players – there are no bots or AI, making the game purely asymmetrical PvP. You can see some gameplay here:
How many characters are there? Currently, there are 19 killers and 21 survivors to choose from, including great classics of the genre like Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger, but also modern horror figures like the Demogorgon from Stranger Things. The 20th killer “Pyramid Head” from the Silent Hill game series is also in the works and is expected to be released this June.
For Veterans: What has changed in 4 years?
If you played Dead by Daylight only at its release in June 2016, you might be surprised at how much the horror game has changed in the last four years. While the core mechanics remain the same, as the killer still has to sacrifice survivors on hooks, many of the smaller mechanics have changed or been added.
Among other things, the following points have made Dead by Daylight a more interesting, fair, and simply better game:
- Totems with bonus points: Each map contains 5 hidden totems that grant survivors points when destroyed. Some killer perks are tied to totems and only active while the corresponding totem remains.
- Generator regression: Killers have learned to damage generators that are not fully repaired. This causes them to lose repair progress until survivors work on them again.
- Bloodlust for killers: In particularly lengthy chases, killers gain movement speed after a while. If a survivor cannot shake off the killer, they will inevitably be caught eventually.
- The “Endgame Collapse”: Once one of the exit gates is opened, a timer starts for all players. If survivors cannot escape the map within this time, they will be automatically executed.
- Dedicated servers: Matches in Dead by Daylight now run on dedicated servers rather than through the hardware of the killer’s player. This has minimized disruptive lags.
Additionally, Dead by Daylight has introduced extra reward systems. There is a “Season Pass” with many missions and rewards. This way, players can learn more about the backstory of individual characters and unlock various cosmetic rewards in the form of skins.
The skins are not “Pay-2-Win,” as generally the extra skins are quite colorful and not well-suited to stealth play with the killer – unless you want to be the bait.
Who is Dead by Daylight interesting for?
Dead by Daylight is suitable for all players who enjoy asymmetrical games. Those who liked Evolve in its time or enjoyed playing White Noise will quickly warm up to the fundamental gameplay. For fans of horror films like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, or the series Stranger Things, at least a look at the game is a must.
However, it must be clearly stated that Dead by Daylight is not easy in several respects. The game can be quite brutal and is clearly aimed at an adult audience. At the same time, the first hours in the game are the hardest, where one learns the basics. Often this happens from the perspective of a spectator because one is already dead within the first minutes.
Those who can embrace the rough entry phase and have a certain tolerance for frustration will find a game that keeps them entertained even after months and years.
After the Horror, the Skill Remains
Like most horror games, Dead by Daylight “suffers” from the fact that the scare factor diminishes over time. The initially threatening terror radius of the killer (a heartbeat that grows louder) or the growl of a chainsaw in the distance can only be truly scary for a few days. A habit sets in, and the once frightening elements become pure game mechanics.
This is the point at which most survivors evolve from frightened sneaks to calculating players who carefully plan their approaches. When the horror is tamed and has become normal, skill comes to the forefront:
- How long can I lead the killer around before I throw down a pallet?
- Which generator should we repair next to maximize our escape chance?
- Who rescues the captured teammate and who continues working on generators?
Such and other decisions often need to be made within seconds, often without communication with the group – as there is (intentionally) no built-in voice chat. Finding the right answers and implementing them distinguishes bloody beginners from the pros.
However, Behaviour excels at bringing back the fear with each new patch and ensuring that new killers provide a chilling experience. You never actually get used to some killers that rely on stealth – like Michael Myers or Ghost Face. Even after years, adrenaline still spikes when these killers suddenly appear around a corner.
A Look into the Future: What’s Coming?
Even in the coming months, there’s still a long way to go for Dead by Daylight. As part of the celebration of the game’s 4th birthday, the developers have already released a rough roadmap and revealed what new features are in store.
- Crossplay for all platforms: Later this year, Dead by Daylight aims to allow all players to play together. Then you can play on PC against and with players on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. This comes with cross-platform friend lists.
- Major graphic overhaul: After 4 years, the graphics of Dead by Daylight no longer look brand new. The developer Behaviour has assigned a whole team to the task of revising all objects, animations, and maps, effectively giving the game an “HD upgrade.” This is also set to happen this year.
- More killers and survivors: Finally, there should continue to be approximately one major new chapter every 3 months. This usually contains a killer, a survivor, and a new map. Discussions are already underway with licensing partners to bring in more well-known horror characters as killers.
So, at Dead by Daylight, even after 4 years, there’s still a long way to go. The game is set to receive ongoing support, expansion, and improvement for a long time to come. If the developers continue the course of the past few years, the community is likely to have fun with the 4-vs-1 horror game for a long time.
Review
Conclusion: Hard to learn, but immensely great
Assessment: Murderously good!
I have been playing Dead by Daylight for almost 4 years, almost continuously. In asymmetric gameplay, the game still leads the pack and has even managed to expand its dominance. Thanks to meaningful innovations in the game mechanics and a pretty broad range of known and original killers, boredom doesn’t come quickly.
Those who take the patience to complete the tough early lessons in the game will find a game that keeps inviting them back – whether just for a single match or a whole gaming weekend without a break.
Cortyn Nightshade
Freelance Author at MeinMMO
