Dead By Daylight

Horror brought together

June 14th, 2016 — a new and fascinating horror game released by Behavior Interactive came knocking at our doors. Dead by Daylight was something truly unique in the horror space, as it didn’t rely on the typical jump-scare formula. Instead, it introduced a 1 versus 4 survival horror style that put players directly against each other — one killer versus four survivors.

The biggest draw to Dead by Daylight comes from its incredible roster of licensed horror icons. The developers managed to secure rights to some of the most legendary characters we’ve seen over the last fifty years — names like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and The Pig from the Saw franchise all appeared early in the game’s life. Over time, the list has only grown, adding both new original killers and survivors, as well as more from iconic horror films, shows, and even video games.

Without a doubt, Dead by Daylight earns major points for giving players the chance to play as so many beloved horror characters. Sure, we’ve had other games like Friday the 13th, where you could play as Jason, but never before have we had this level of variety and freedom in how you play. The game continues to expand through collaborations — Stranger Things, Chucky, Resident Evil, and the list keeps going.

The best part is that, beyond getting to play as your favorite villains, Dead by Daylight’s perk and add-on system allows for a ton of creativity in how you approach each match. Strategy and adaptability are key — you’re playing against real people, after all — and your playstyle has to adjust based on the map, generators, survivors’ abilities, and situational awareness.

Speaking of survivors, Dead by Daylight has released many over the years to match each new killer and collaboration event. We’ve seen additions like Laurie Strode, Ash Williams from Evil Dead, and even Nicolas Cage. Survivors also come with their own perks, items, and playstyles, letting you choose between stealth, support, or bold rescue roles depending on the situation. All in all, the game deserves huge credit for its diverse and ever-expanding roster, with plenty of room for future collabs.

Another major pro for me personally is that the game is just fun to play. The gameplay flows well for what it is. While the graphics aren’t top-tier by today’s standards, it honestly doesn’t matter — the gritty visuals match the dark, eerie horror aesthetic perfectly. And when you’re playing with friends and coordinating to outsmart the killer, it’s an absolute blast.

Now, I say usually because one major issue with Dead by Daylight is its matchmaking. I like to think I’m pretty decent at the game, but sometimes the matchmaking system puts you up against elite competition when you’re not expecting it. I don’t mind facing tough opponents, but for newer players, the learning curve can feel overwhelming.

Another issue tied to matchmaking is queue times. There have been times where I’ve waited 15–20 minutes just to get into a match. It’s not because of a lack of players — there are hundreds of thousands online — it’s more so due to server stability. Thankfully, I haven’t run into this problem as much recently.

One thing I really like is the customization. Both killers and survivors have tons of skins — some can be earned through gameplay, while others must be purchased with in-game currency. That said, like most games these days, cosmetics can be overpriced for what you get.

While I’ve put many hours into Dead by Daylight, I’ve never been fully immersed in the community or developer side like I am with Call of Duty. From what I’ve heard, there have been some communication issues between the devs and players — especially when it comes to balancing, nerfs, or buffs. Still, I’ve also seen them listen to feedback on certain limited-time events, like extending the 2v8 mode, which shows they’re at least trying to meet players halfway.

Overall, while Dead by Daylight does have its flaws — a steep learning curve and occasional server hiccups — I’m rating it purely from a casual player’s perspective who has already learned the game. Competitive players may have more criticisms, but from where I stand, Dead by Daylight is an iconic entry in the horror-survival genre. It gives fans the dream opportunity to play as their favorite killers and survivors while offering genuinely fun, tense gameplay. That alone deserves recognition.

Final Rating: 8/10 (lowest I’d go is 7.75/10).

Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃