Written by Ryu En, July 31, 2016, at 6:37 a.m.
What A Horrible Night To Be Stalked
“Oh #@$!!!” I yelled when I heard the sound of a chainsaw revving behind me. The familiar heartbeat warning sound, which mimicked my own, was as equally as loud. I quickly pressed the left mouse and right mouse button in a panicky unison to abandon my repairs on the generator that would power the EXIT switch, allowing me and the other three survivors to escape this hellish and decrepit cornfield.
But my cat-like reflexes failed me this time. The Hillbilly (think Leatherface) dropped me in one fell swoop with his chainsaw. As I tried to crawl for my dear, virtual life, he scooped me up with ease in his left arm and began walking over to a crucifix like object, complete with a hook. The Hillbilly secured me by my torso to the long, rusty hook, when suddenly black, spider like appendages materialized above me and moved in for the coup de grace.
I was given yet another opportunity to escape certain doom. I furiously mashed my SPACE BAR on my keyboard, per the on screen command to struggle, hoping that one of the other survivors would rescue me. Sadly, my teammates ran for the hills and the appendages pierced through my body, effectively ending my short-lived career as a survivor.
As some would say, “It was a wrap!”
Dead By Daylight Review
At first play and glance, Dead by Daylight reminded me of an 80’s horror/slasher films (the best, in my opinion). You can play as either one of the four Survivors or one of three Killers. Both parties are trapped in this nightmarish cat and mouse game where, quite simply, you escape or you die.
Gameplay
As a Survivor (played from third-person perspective), you will have to go around and repair busted engines, which are scattered among the map to open the exit of the level. You’ll have to do all of this while avoid the Killer who can be identified visually or by a heartbeat warning indicator, eerily informing you that he is nearby. Teamwork is highly encouraged as you can repair engines faster, rescue teammates from sacrifice hooks, heal, and even use one of your friends as bait. (Hey, somebody has to take one for the team.)
The Killer’s objective is pretty straightforward. Though he is less agile as his prey and played from a limiting first person perspective, he makes up for it with brute strength (one hit will pretty much lay you out) and special weapons to aid him. For example, the Trapper can place bear traps around the level, while the Wraith can turn invisible. Playing as the Killer is far more challenging, as you will have to rely on sounds generated by exploding engines and bear traps activating to locate a Survivor’s position. And plus it’s one versus four.
Each Survivor and Killer has a unique starting set of skills. As you progress, you can unlock better items and skills via the Bloodweb after winning and/or losing matches.
Visuals and Control
The visuals are crisp and clean, and make you feel welcome (or unwelcome) into this world. It is like a Tim Burton film mixed with Scorsese gore and George Romero-esque practical effects.
The controls are pretty standard if you are familiar with first- and third-person shooters. WASD to move, mouse to look, left click to interact, and right click to use secondary/special abilities.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of adrenaline rushes, jumpscares, near misses, and/or 80’s slasher films, Dead by Daylight is definitely worth the purchase. Grab a few friends, get online and work together to escape the Killer’s rampage. Or get that Killer Instinct and make it the Survivor’s Final Fight… Pac Man.
