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Dead
by Daylight

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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Dead by Daylight (2016) is a survival horror game where one player takes on the role of a killer and another other four try and work together to survive. It's unusual because of this asynchronous play and its cross-over with different franchise-inspired themes.

When you play as a Survivor you try and escape the map by repairing five Generators to power the two Exit Gates while avoiding the Killer. You can't use violence so must use tactics and stealth to avoid being caught. Crouching behind obstacles, hiding in tall grass, dark corners, or in lockers. The Killers proximity is signalled by an increasing heartbeat sound, you can also see which way the killer is looking with a red light indicator. Survivors work together to free each other from traps, and hinder the killer by blinding them. They can also heal each other from the injured or dying state.

The Killer's main objective is to kill other players which they do by catching and sacrificing them. They have advantages to offset the fact there is only one of them: track players via Scratch Marks they leave, track bloodstains left behind by injured players and get notifications of survivor location when they make loud noises. The killer character is also faster and can attack the survivor players.

Players are scored on performance which leads to their ranking for competitive matches, matchmaking, and ranking on leaderboards. There are 20 Ranks for each role, with Rank 1 being the best. Players go up and down the ladder based on their performance in various aspects of a Trial. A Season lasts for one month. As a new Season begins, the Ranks reset.

Our examiner, Jo Robertson, first checked Dead by Daylight 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Tyler Brinkman and updated 6 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Dead by Daylight. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Action and Stealth game with Fighting, Simulation, Strategy and Traversal elements. You can play this by yourself or as a 5-player online game.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: It takes between 3 minutes and 7 minutes to play a round of this game. Round length depends on the ability of players and experience of the killer character.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 18 due to depictions of gross violence towards human-like characters. This game contains frequent depictions of gross violence towards human-like characters. When a survivor is attacked and caught by the killer, they are taken to one of the meat hooks hanging around the map and impaled through their shoulder/neck.

This attack doesn’t immediately kill them, instead the characters let out blood curdling screams and cries of pain as they struggle to free themselves from the hook. If left on the hook for too long without being rescued, large blades will lower themselves towards the victim and repeatedly stab at them until they die.

Survivors can be saved by their team mates after being attacked although they will be visibly injured. They can be seen holding at their wounds and limping until they receive the proper treatment. If they do not receive treatment, they will move significantly slower and leave a trail of blood behind them. The killer can also perform graphic execution moves on the survivors to defeat them. The animations for these moves can include dismemberment and large amounts of blood and gore.
 
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Mature Accompanied (MA 15+) for Violence, Strong Horror Themes.

Skill Level

16+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content.

Account Rating

  • You need be 18-years-old to to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for online play, but can then configure family accounts for younger players to play online with Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
  • You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to Nintendo Online, but can then create accounts for children of any age to play online with Nintendo Switch.
  • You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for online play, but can create sub-accounts for younger players of 7-years or older to play online with PlayStation 4.

CostsCosts

Dead by Daylight usually costs £14.99 to £57.99.
 

Dead By Daylight: Special Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £24.99
PlayStation Store PS5 £24.99

Dead By Daylight: Stranger Things Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £39.99
PlayStation Store PS4 £39.99

Dead By Daylight: Ultimate Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £50.19
PlayStation Store PS5 £57.99
PlayStation Store PS4 £57.99

Dead by Daylight

XBox Store Xbox One £24.99
Steam Store PC £14.99
Switch Store Switch £26.24
XBox Store Xbox X|S -
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
  • You need a subscription to play online:
    • You need to purchase a Nintendo Online subscription to play online with Nintendo Switch.
    • You need to purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online with PlayStation 4.
    • You need to purchase a Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online with Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
 
You can purchase Auric Cells to spend in the game. You can also purchase themed chapters:
  • Dead by Daylight: The Lullaby for the Dark Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Ghost Face Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: The Halloween Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: STRANGER THINGS Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Leatherface Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: A Nightmare on Elm Street Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: The SAW Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Cursed Legacy Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Chains of Hate Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Ash vs Evil Dead
  • Dead by Daylight: Silent Hill Chapter
  • Dead by Daylight: Darkness Among Us
  • Dead by Daylight: Demise of the Faithful
  • Dead by Daylight: Leatherface 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 14/06/2016, updated in 2020

Out Now: Android, PS4, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X|S and iOS

Skill Rating: 16+ year-olds

Players: 1 (5 online)

Genres: Action, Stealth (Fighting, Simulation, Strategy and Traversal)

Accessibility: 28 features

Components: 3D Third-Person

Developer: Behaviour (@Behaviour)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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