Horror games have been around for a long time now, and quite frankly, they are getting boring. The latest horror games have become too predictable, making players feel as if the developers have given up on the gameplay completely.
Why do I say that? Ask yourself this, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about a horror game? Is it the gameplay? Or just the scary environment? It’s the latter, right? Most devs focus too much on creating fear through the graphics and story, which is completely fine. However, the experience can be further enhanced through level design and gameplay, and that is exactly what Dead by Daylight has done. Don’t believe me? Keep on reading then.
What is it about?
Dead by Daylight is an indie horror game that takes an innovative and unique take on level design, offering its players a wide variety of horror-filled experiences. Dead by Daylight is basically a 4 vs 1 survival game that you can play with your friends. Yes, you read that correctly, Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer horror game.
The multiplayer feature won’t be mind-blowing for the gamers who are new to this genre, but the real fans are well-aware that this is a rare sight to see in horror games. The core concept of the game is to pass the levels without getting caught by the killer. Sounds Generic? You’ll be shocked later on.
What is level design?
Before we get into how the level design on Dead by Daylight is different, let’s first discuss what level design really is. A level design is simply everything included on the stage of a video game like the environment, lighting, missions, soundtracks, and even mechanics. In other words, the level design is a method through which a particular theory about a game is practically implemented. The level design especially matters in horror games as it could make or break the whole experience.
How is it any different in Dead by Daylight?
Dead by Daylight beautifully uses a phenomenal level design to further add to the horror experience. How? Let’s look more into it.
The environment and storyline
Coldwind farm is the main area where the hunt takes place, and the visuals are pretty scary, to say the least. However, the developers have used a cliché story and environment for the cold wind farm. Why? The answer is simple; clichés do a great job at producing psychological effects on the players even before the killer is introduced. The format isn’t unique but how it’s exhibited further enhances the experiences incredibly.
Prospect spaces
The maps of each level in Dead by Daylight are well detailed and built to scare the daylights out of you – no pun intended. Each place on a particular map provides a different horror-filled experience for the players. The uncertainty lying in each area builds a stressful situation, forcing the players to stay alert and anxious. The map also has a certain place where you can take refuge and keep an eye on the surrounding, but be careful! One second late to the location, and the killer will immediately find you.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Dead by Daylight is pretty simple, all you have to do is fix five generators to unlock the gate, and you’ll pass the level. Sounds easy, right? It’s quite the other way around. The critical path given to the players to complete a level is nothing but a psychological technique to create more tension and enhance fear levels. What truly improves the experience is the fact that you can play as a killer while your friends are the survivors. This allows the players t get creative with the traps, which further improves the game. Furthermore, the game also forces the players to make harsh decisions like deciding whether to save the friend caught by the killer or not. You can also unlock various other skills to aid your battle of survival, Eldorado is offering several services in this regard, such as cheap DBD accounts, to further enhance the experience of players.
Bottom Line
Dead by Daylight was released back in 2016, but the concept employed by it is still unbeatable even in 2021. Although it uses some generic features in the game, it does so to provide a better experience to the players. Most horror games have failed in the industry due to their high predictability. Things have changed with the Dead by Daylight as it offers the players to mold their own experience in the game by getting creative with the traps. Now, if that has not convinced you to get a DBD key and jump in, then I don’t know what will.