Dead by Daylight
- August 3, 2021
- Behaviour Interactive Inc.
- 185h median play time
After almost five years, Dead by Daylight has grown into an incredible slasher film simulator, and the best asymmetrical multiplayer game around.
Buy Dead by Daylight on PS4 and PS5. Choose between playing an unstoppable Killer and one of four Survivors trying to evade a gruesome death.
Reviews
- gameplay11,127 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Dead by Daylight* is characterized by its unique asymmetrical multiplayer format, where one player takes on the role of a killer while four others act as survivors. While many players find the core gameplay loop engaging and addictive, with a variety of characters and mechanics to explore, there are significant criticisms regarding balance issues, repetitive gameplay, and a toxic community that can detract from the overall experience. Frequent updates and new content aim to keep the gameplay fresh, but many players feel that the developers prioritize cosmetic additions over meaningful gameplay improvements, leading to frustration and a sense of stagnation in the game's mechanics.
“Great gameplay and great monsters.”
“Its simple but engaging gameplay, paired with clever level design and iconic characters, creates a truly timeless experience.”
“The gameplay is smooth, and the sense of accomplishment as you progress from world to world is incredibly rewarding.”
“Overall, my main issue with the gameplay loop of Dead by Daylight is the fact that it’s repetitive and stale.”
“The gameplay can be a bit stale.”
“The gameplay loop is dull and lacking.”
- stability3,175 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of "Dead by Daylight" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many citing frequent bugs, glitches, and connection issues that disrupt gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these technical problems, the overwhelming consensus is that the game remains buggy, with persistent issues affecting both matchmaking and in-game mechanics. Overall, while the game offers fun and engaging experiences, its stability issues detract from the overall enjoyment and can lead to frustration.
“The game itself is good, with no glitches and no bugs (yet).”
“I've had a relatively bug-free experience compared to most anecdotes I've heard.”
“The graphics are top-notch, the FPS is stable, it does not lag, and there are no freezes.”
“Even with iPhones, there are glitches and rendering issues.”
“Do not even get me started on the optimization of this game, a decade-old bloodweb mechanic that is severely lacking, no adjustable sound options, minimal accessibility options, constant frame stutters, spikes, glitches, and game-breaking bugs.”
“The game is buggy as hell and genuinely makes me want to throw and break my monitor.”
- graphics2,835 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Dead by Daylight* receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the game's unique aesthetic and atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience. However, criticisms often focus on the dated graphics, lack of advanced customization options, and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. While some players find the graphics satisfactory and fitting for the genre, others express disappointment over the game's optimization and the need for more graphical settings to improve overall performance.
“Each level feels unique and has its own personality, with vibrant graphics and catchy music that stays with you long after you put the controller down.”
“The game's graphics and sound design create a haunting atmosphere that immerses you completely.”
“The graphics, background of every character, perks, modifiers, survivors, killers are amazing and with upcoming cosmetics, I believe it will be even better.”
“The graphics are outdated, and the sound effects are annoying.”
“This game has also killed the feeling it used to give while playing; I used to love the aesthetic of this game, but after the graphic update that happened a few years ago, they completely removed any of the old aesthetic that this game used to have.”
“The graphics are actually almost comparable to GTA 5 in terms of how incredibly disappointing they are in the year 2024, where we have hyper-realistic shooter games that actually look and feel real.”
- humor2,409 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Dead by Daylight" is a prominent aspect that many players highlight, often describing the game as a mix of hilarity and horror. Players enjoy the absurdity of situations, such as unexpected glitches, funny interactions with killers, and the comedic reactions of friends during tense moments. While the game can be frustrating at times, especially with its balance issues, the shared laughter and ridiculous scenarios often make for a memorable and entertaining experience, particularly when played with friends.
“Its a great balance of ripping your hair out and laughing with your buddies.”
“It’s way more goofy than scary when you're playing with friends, and every match is full of ridiculous moments that’ll have you laughing.”
“This game is so funny with friends, I waited almost 5 months to buy this game at a -50% discount and I am very satisfied with this game, I love it to play with friends.”
“The game is not funny anymore.”
“It's not funny when the killer is face camping me.”
“This game has become unfunny since adding so many new killers.”
- grinding1,838 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Dead by Daylight" is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hundreds of hours to unlock characters and perks. Many players express frustration over the pay-to-win elements, as significant content is locked behind paywalls, making it difficult for free-to-play users to compete effectively. While some enjoy the grind as part of the game's progression, the overwhelming consensus is that it detracts from the overall experience, especially for newcomers.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Progression seems fair and not grindy; you get your perks quickly enough, at least in my experience.”
“The leveling system is fun and not too grindy, while providing perks that help you but do not automatically win games simply because you have better perks.”
“This game is so pay to win and grindy; don't buy it because half the killers and survivors in the game cost real money.”
“Also forgot to mention that the grinding feels like a chore and does not even feel fun. You'll get around 20k bloodpoints after every average game, which is nothing and takes forever to level up all your characters. I don't understand how those with prestige 100 characters can play the game that much and not get bored; you must genuinely have to be a masochist to put yourself through the repetitive, super long, and unfun grinding.”
“The game is very grindy and realistically speaking, it costs a lot of money to access all of the content it has to offer.”
- story1,421 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Dead by Daylight" is generally viewed as minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that the game focuses more on gameplay mechanics than a cohesive narrative. While each character has a backstory that adds some lore, the overall experience is described as repetitive, with matches feeling like isolated events rather than part of a larger story. Some players appreciate the character-specific lore and the potential for emergent storytelling during matches, but many express a desire for a more structured narrative or campaign mode to enhance the game's storytelling elements.
“Each match feels like a heart-wrenching story in itself, with players bearing witness to moments of tragic heroism and devastating loss.”
“This game has a great story if you pay attention and connect a few dots.”
“The story behind survivors and the killers makes you more indulged in the game than ever.”
“Couldn't care about the plot or the character backstories.”
“The game is no longer an indie cult hit and instead a cash grab menace with zero direction in both gameplay and lore/story.”
“Every single match is the same story, and it gets old fast.”
- optimization854 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Dead by Daylight" has received significant criticism from players, with many reporting persistent performance issues such as frame rate drops, stuttering, and lag, particularly on lower-end systems and consoles. While some users note improvements over time, the overall sentiment is that the game remains poorly optimized, with frequent bugs and a lack of advanced graphical settings contributing to a frustrating experience. Many players express disappointment that the developers prioritize new content over essential performance fixes, leading to a game that feels unpolished and inconsistent in its performance.
“While it could be argued you don’t need optimal perks, the poor matchmaking makes it feel as if you have to be optimized at any rank or risk losing to a team that will be running optimal perks.”
“Optimization - great, no issues for me and for reference I am running a RX 5600 XT; it's not CPU intensive.”
“The game runs smoothly and it is pretty fun.”
“This game is poorly optimized whenever it comes to custom keybinds, as in most of them not working or not activating when pressed. Of course, if this happens to someone else, it may happen to be a keyboard issue and not an in-game issue.”
“The game is now so poorly optimized that you will die in-game due to rubber-banding among other issues.”
“The optimization is appalling while graphics are average.”
- atmosphere849 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Dead by Daylight* is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of horror through detailed environments, eerie sound design, and a tense ambiance that keeps players on edge. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and suspense, making each match feel like a unique horror experience, especially when played with friends. However, some players note that the atmosphere can diminish over time due to repetitive gameplay and community toxicity, impacting the overall enjoyment.
“The game's graphics and sound design create a haunting atmosphere that immerses you completely.”
“The atmosphere is expertly crafted, with eerie sound design and chilling visuals that set the stage for high-stakes gameplay.”
“The atmosphere in 'Dead by Daylight' is meticulously crafted, delivering a genuinely creepy vibe that horror fans will appreciate.”
“The atmosphere is no longer creepy; everything feels unrewarding, the leveling and ranking system is broken, and the cosmetics system is a huge disappointing money-grab.”
“The already tense atmosphere tightens when the killer comes in range.”
“Today, however, we can see that the game has devolved into a brightly-lit, goofy, 'run in circles' simulator where perks as well as a substantially larger quantity of pallets have been added in order to enforce competitiveness at the cost of theme and atmosphere.”
- music779 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in "Dead by Daylight" is widely praised for enhancing the game's horror atmosphere, with unique chase themes for each killer that intensify the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the eerie sound design and ambient tracks that contribute to the tension, although some find the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, effectively immersing players in its chilling world.
“Each level feels unique and has its own personality, with vibrant graphics and catchy music that stays with you long after you put the controller down.”
“The sound design is particularly noteworthy, with heart-pounding chase music and unsettling ambient noises that enhance the horror experience.”
“The chilling sound design and haunting background music only enhance the overall atmosphere, giving you goosebumps as you try to survive or hunt down your victims.”
“The soundtrack fails to capitalize on opportunities to heighten suspense or punctuate key moments, resulting in a missed opportunity to enhance the game's horror elements.”
“The game’s music is also bland and generic, and does not fit the horror theme of the game.”
“The music is repetitive as well, but I mean the game looks cool and that's about it.”
- replayability703 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Dead by Daylight is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse roster of killers and survivors, unique abilities, and a variety of maps and perks that create a fresh experience in each match. Players appreciate the game's constant updates and new content, which further enhance its replay value, making it a compelling choice for both solo and multiplayer sessions. While some users note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the game's depth and variety keep players engaged for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours.
“Replay value: 10/10 with so many perk combinations and random maps, no two games are the same.”
“From its ever-expanding roster of killers and survivors to its diverse array of maps, perks, and customization options, the game offers a virtually endless well of replayability.”
“The variety of both survivors and killers, each with their own distinctive abilities and playstyles, adds a layer of depth and replayability that keeps the game feeling fresh even after countless hours of play.”
“I understand that this can lead to more variety and replayability, but for me, the whole system feels too convoluted and hard to get back into after breaks.”
“No matter what they add to the game, the gameplay stays the same; there's just no replayability in Dead by Daylight.”
“The game is supposed to have replay value, but when it's the same premise over and over again, it starts to get boring more and more.”
- monetization608 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as excessively greedy and predatory, with many players feeling that it resembles a free-to-play structure despite the game requiring an initial purchase. Reviewers express frustration over the abundance of microtransactions, DLCs, and cosmetic items that often feel necessary for a complete experience, leading to a perception of the game as a cash grab. While some acknowledge that the core gameplay is enjoyable, the aggressive monetization practices significantly detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for new players to engage without spending substantial amounts of money.
“The monetization system is excessive, with a reliance on in-game purchases for cosmetic items that some may find a bit much.”
“The aggressive nature of the microtransactions for stronger perks really goes to show that the developers are prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“Despite the fun gameplay, the monetization practices are predatory, making it feel more like a free-to-play game than a paid title.”
“The fact that behavior has gotten away with keeping Dead by Daylight's base price the same, despite having a far more egregious monetization model than most free-to-play games, is depressing.”
“Gameplay-wise, DBD is a great time and is fun enough for me to recommend it, but the monetization is so awful that it borders on making me want to leave a negative review.”
“If DBD were free to play, I'd be able to excuse this a bit more, but the fact it is a priced game with monetization even more aggressive than other live service games on the market rubs me the wrong way.”
- emotional508 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Dead by Daylight" elicits a wide range of responses from players, often oscillating between moments of joy and deep frustration. Many players report experiencing intense emotional highs and lows, with some finding the community to be a mix of wholesome interactions and toxic behavior, leading to feelings of sadness and anger. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, where players can find both heartwarming moments and significant emotional distress, making it a unique yet challenging experience.
“Every time I play this, I want to cry.”
“In every chase, every narrow escape, and every cruel twist of fate, the game delivers a heart-wrenching experience that lingers long after the screen goes dark.”
“Dead by Daylight is a sobering reminder of how video games can transcend mere entertainment to become profound emotional experiences.”
- character development90 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its impressive character designs and attention to detail, particularly in the horror genre context. While many players appreciate the unique aesthetics and lore associated with each character, some express disappointment in the depth of character development, noting that it can feel limited or overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and community issues. Overall, the character design is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding the lack of innovation in survivor designs and technical issues affecting player experience.
“The character designs are amazing and I just love the game so much.”
“The attention to detail in character design and the dedication to staying true to the source material is commendable.”
“Story: unlike most other multiplayer games, Dead by Daylight gives context to its matches and really puts a fun spin on the survival horror genre; each survivor has a well-made backstory that usually ties them either to the killer or the maps they launched with, and the character designs alone say quite a bit about the people you're playing as.”
“Where the strong licenses and character design (except Skull Merchant) carry, technical issues and poor design issues plague this game.”
“There are currently masses of the community who are losing character progress, hundreds of hours in character development and progression vanishing just for logging in... there are no written warnings in the game that warn of a bug that has apparently been out for months, which wipes all of your progress.”
“You could almost say the devs sold out, or no longer can call themselves developers of games and more costume and character designers, nothing to do with developing gameplay mechanics or refinement.”
Critic Reviews
Dead By Daylight Review
After almost five years, Dead by Daylight has grown into an incredible slasher film simulator, and the best asymmetrical multiplayer game around.
90%Review: Dead By Daylight
Any good they might have had are quickly swallowed up by a plethora of issues. The desperate or the gullible may find a glimmer of fun hidden somewhere in the pit.
25%Dead by Daylight review
It's shocking how much depth Dead By Daylight packs into its systems.
88%
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