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Dead by Daylight similar games & best alternatives

Dead by Daylight

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2016

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Quick resume

Trapped forever in a realm of eldritch evil where even death is not an escape, four determined Survivors face a bloodthirsty Killer in a vicious game of nerve and wits. Pick a side and step into a world of tension and terror with horror gaming's best asymmetrical multiplayer.

Global score

79/100

Genres

Action, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Addictive and engaging gameplay loop
    • Strong horror atmosphere and theme
    • Diverse characters and customization
    • Active developer support and updates
    • Fun cooperative play with friends

    Cons

    • Toxic community and player behavior
    • Matchmaking and balance issues
    • Bugs and exploits affecting gameplay
    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Grind-heavy progression and paywalls

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have significant control over their actions, choosing roles (killer or survivor), perks, strategies, and playstyles, with emergent gameplay rather than fixed routines."

    • Competence
      4

      "High skill ceiling with mind games, mechanical skill, and strategic thinking required; players report learning curves and mastery over time."

    • Competition
      3

      "Competitive elements exist via skill-based matchmaking, ranks, and player-versus-player challenges, though some players focus on casual or cooperative play."

    • Continuation
      5

      "Highly addictive with many players reporting long hours, repeated returns despite frustration, and habitual play over years."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Survivor side strongly encourages teamwork and communication; many reviews emphasize playing with friends and cooperative strategies."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Customization of characters, perks, and builds allows creative approaches; however, gameplay follows core mechanics with limited open-ended creation."

    • Domination
      3

      "Killers often exert control and power over survivors, with some toxic behaviors reported; however, balanced interactions and mutual respect also occur."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a distraction and stress relief despite frustration; described as an addictive escape from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal desire and intrinsic interest, not obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try different killers, perks, and strategies, experimenting with builds and tactics to improve and enjoy variety."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Some exploration of maps and secrets, but largely familiar environments and repeated locations dominate gameplay."

    • Expression
      4

      "Extensive character customization and cosmetic options allow self-expression and personalization."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Strong horror and supernatural themes with fictional killers and survivors, immersive horror fiction experience."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Community and friendships form around the game; playing with friends and social interactions are common and valued."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills, knowledge, and strategies over time; learning curve and mastery are emphasized."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with reports of negative mental health effects like frustration and addiction."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires continuous attention and focus during matches; not suited for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Some social bonding and friendships form, but interactions are mostly casual and game-focused rather than deeply intimate."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Limited evidence of explicit leadership roles; some players guide teams but mostly collaborative or individual play."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong progression system with unlocking characters, perks, and cosmetics; grind and achievement motivate continued play."

    • Relaxation
      -3

      "Gameplay is tense and stressful with frequent frustration and emotional strain rather than relaxation or flow."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Engaging sensory and emotional experiences from horror atmosphere, suspense, and audiovisual design."

    • Status
      2

      "Some recognition through ranks, achievements, and community status, but not a dominant motivation."

    • Story
      1

      "Some lore and character backstories exist, but gameplay is mostly context-free and focused on mechanics."

    • Strategy
      4

      "High strategic depth with mind games, planning, and tactical decision-making emphasized."

    • Thrill
      5

      "Strong thrill and suspense from chase mechanics, risk, and horror elements; adrenaline and tension are core experiences."

    • Value
      3

      "Players perceive good value for time invested, with frequent updates and content; some complaints about grind and paywalls."

    • Violence
      4

      "Enjoyment of combat, killing, and destruction is central to gameplay, especially on killer side."

    • Survival
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death, managing threats, and surviving against killers."

    Where to buy

    Last update: 29/04/2026