Most multiplayer games fall into the science fiction or fantasy genre, and are usually in the shooter or RPG category. But some games take a different route, and one of them is “Dead by Daylight,” an asymmetric survival horror online multiplayer that takes inspiration for its gameplay from old school slasher films. 

The game is played on five-player matches that center on a group of survivors attempting to escape supernaturally enhanced serial killers and avoid being sacrificed to a demonic being known as “The Entity.” Four players control the survivors while one takes the role of the killer in what could be described as a bloodier take on hide-and-seek in randomly generated maps based in differently themed “realms.” Survivors must repair generators to unlock the exit while evading and outwitting “The Killer,” and can use a number of different items like tool boxes and first aid kits to help them. 

Meanwhile, killers must prevent their escape and bring them to meathooks scattered throughout the map to sacrifice them to the Entity using their own special weapons and abilities, which gives each killer a distinct feeling for players. Both groups have their own “perks” that grant individual bonuses and special abilities to help them complete their objectives along with unique cosmetics to help add variety. 

Playing as a survivor or a killer yields different experiences, but both are thrilling in their own right. Survivor matches are tense and frantic, as you sneak across the map to complete your objectives while watching out for “The Killer,” who can appear at any given moment, creating an unpredictability to the gameplay that keeps you even more on edge. Playing a match as “The Killer” on the other hand, makes you feel empowered in a way that’s unlike most games, with the thrill of the hunt kicking in as you chase down the survivors. 

What is possibly one of the most surprising aspects of “Dead by Daylight” is its lore. Every character comes from a variety of different backgrounds and has their own distinct backstories, with the killers’ standing out for their macabre nature. The characters’ perks and cosmetics even offer small bits of info through their descriptions. The maps and realms also have their own histories that relate to a specific killer and can be explored in outside media talking about the game. 

When the game first came out, it only had four survivors, three killers. But as of now, it features 20 survivors and 18 killers, with an upcoming DLC pack to raise those numbers to 21 and 19 respectively. It features a wide variety of both original characters and guest characters from well-known horror franchises like “Halloween,” “Stranger Things” and “Evil Dead” among others. There were also 15 maps in three realms in the beginning, based on industrial estates, gloomy junkyards and derelict farms. As of now, there are 34 maps and 14 realms, soon to be 35 and 15 with the previously mentioned DLC pack, their themes have expanded to include insane asylums, swamps, abandoned ski resorts and more. Through the course of time, the game has gathered a strong fanbase and has proven to be one of the best sleeper hits of the last decade.

“Dead by Daylight” is not without its flaws, of course. Players are also unable to directly communicate with each other, though this might be an attempt to keep the tension and not trivialize it. Survivors also lack the variation found in the killers, making them somewhat more repetitive to play as, though some are best suited to certain tasks than others. But overall, Dead by Daylight’s core experience and engaging gameplay outweigh its flaws, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a good horror game and fun multiplayer. 

Image from Dead By Daylight via YouTube