You Should Try Dead by Daylight Today, Here’s Why

Back in 2016 a small indie studio known as Behavior Interactive released Dead by Daylight on the Steam storefront. A multiplayer 4v1 survival horror game self described as a “cat and mouse” game. Now in present day, it’s been added to every console, and even has a mobile port.

Since its launch, it’s gained a number of licensed horror franchise characters. Including Michael Myers, Ghostface, SAW, Nemesis from Resident Evil, and most recently that spooky girl from The Ring. If you haven’t heard of, or played Dead by Daylight before, the game is generally as follows. Four players take the role as Survivors as they avoid a fifth player taking the role as a Killer. The objective for the survivors is to start 5 generators on the map in order to power an exit gate, and escape.

The Killer’s main objective is to hunt the Survivors, pin them on giant hooks, and present them as sacrifices for an omnipotent being known as The Entity. To add to the personalization of each character there are over 190 perks to unlock. These grant each character different abilities. Games where I’m playing as a survivor will frequently have me getting jumpscared by a killer around a corner. Then running for my life for 90 seconds until I’m eventually taken down, and hung on a giant meathook gaping through my chest.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t play much of this game until the b-andemic years. But after logging over 100 hours, and learning how to get good. It’s quickly become one of my favorite games out there. 

With over 30 Survivors to play as and 27 Killers both original and licensed, Dead by Daylight proves to be the ultimate horror crossover.

Dead by Daylight has had a small steady decrease in players recently, which is most commonly blamed on a weak matchmaking system, a lack of viable playstyles, or the after effects of having an influx of players jump in with the Resident Evil collaboration a few months ago. Either way, its core gameplay loop has me addicted, and playing with friends makes it even more enjoyable.

After their most recent release of The Onryō from The Ring, Behavior Interactive has alleviated their most common complaints somewhat. This latest killer introduces abilities and equipable perks that reward a much desired hit and run playstyle. Behavior has also started testing new matchmaking features, reworking old perks, and adjusting the abilities of older killers.

Adding The Onryō to the mix, there are 14 licensed horror franchise killers, an additional 13 original killers, and 30 survivors both licensed and original.

Approaching Dead by Daylight’s 6th Anniversary, Behavior Interactive may be teasing a Five Nights at Freddy’s collaboration.

Some may have noticed some random and quirky “help wanted” posters being posted on the Dead by Daylight twitter. People were quick to associate these ads as a hint towards a new killer coming soon. That killer is assumed to be Five Nights at Freddy’s Springtrap, since that game originates around a job oriented workplace.

Soon, Dead by Daylight will be having its 6th anniversary. Many fans and content creators are speculating a new killer at that time. Whether it’s the theorized Springtrap, a creature from the Evil Within, or even an original killer as unique as a giant spider, I’m definitely going to give them a try.

Dead by Daylight is available on all platforms, and is free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.