Best Games Like Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical survival horror game in which one player takes the role of a killer, and the rest are survivors fighting to escape in one piece. The large cast of characters and the gameplay style make it appealing to many horror fans, but there are plenty of games like it for those looking to try something new.

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Asymmetrical games are still popular today, with many other developers creating games to try and cash in on the success of Dead by Daylight, which means there are many out there to explore. Some play very similarly to Dead by Daylight, while others feature different characters and visual styles. Either way, for those looking for games similar to Dead by Daylight, there are plenty of options available.

Updated April 29, 2024, by Mara Cowley: Dead by Daylight has remained one of the most popular asymmetrical multiplayer games. This is partly due to it being one of the first on the scene, but it’s most likely because of its large roster of original and licensed Survivors and Killers, allowing players to control fan-favorite horror icons such as Michael Myers, Ellen Ripley, Chucky, and others, with more bound to come in the future. That said, long-time players may be suffering from DBD fatigue, so they may be in search of other horror asymmetrical titles to break the monotony. Thankfully, there are a few games like Dead by Daylight that have managed to survive, and fans are sure to have a blast while playing them.

8 Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game

A Promising Up-And-Coming Horror Title

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Release Date: June 4, 2024
• Developers: Illfonic, Terravision Games

A cult classic from the ’80s, Killer Klowns was a movie that lived up to its name. It revolved around a group of alien clown creatures that land on Earth and begin killing or capturing humans with carnival-themed contraptions such as acidic cream pies, killer popcorn creatures, or a gun that captures targets in cotton candy cocoons. And now, with a game based on this IP, gamers are in for a multiplayer horror comedy hit.

Like Dead by Daylight, players can choose to play as one of the iconic Klowns with their own unique killer-kit or a human who must complete objectives while evading capture. Set to release on June 4, gamers are hopeful this could provide some healthy, long-lasting competition with DbD.

7 Secret Neighbor

A Social Horror Game Where Players Infiltrate A Frightening House

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS
• Release Date: August 2, 2019
• Developers: Dynamic Pixels, Hologryph, Eerie Guest Studios

Hello Neighbor became a very acclaimed and infamous horror game. It centered around the mysterious new neighbor the player has moved in across from, whose house holds a great many secrets. Unfortunately, the neighbor isn’t about to let gamers sneak through their house, unlock all their doors, and rummage through their belongings. Instead, he will attack them on sight.

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Such a game was ripe for a multiplayer experience, and this became a reality back in 2019. In Secret Neighbor, a group of six friends break into the mysterious neighbor’s house, but one among them is the neighbor in disguise, making for a tense and fun experience. Trying to work out who the impostor is or attempting to maintain the ruse is a fun challenge that fans of titles such as Among Us will appreciate.

6 Among Us

Find The Killer, Or Be The Killer

Among Us catapulted into success upon its release, becoming a popular game for streamers, hardcore, and casual gamers. A group of adorable space-suiting-wearing characters go about performing routine tasks aboard their spaceship, but among them is an imposter, and it is their job to kill the others without being discovered. The non-impostors must complete their tasks and avoid being killed, which is often easier said than done.

The fun and tense gameplay can be reminiscent of the tension DBD fans will feel while in a chase or stealthing around a Killer while they are hunting. Although it may lack some of the more serious horror elements present in Dead by Daylight, Among Us allows for plenty of fun, especially when played with a group of friends.

5 Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed

Play As A Ghost Or A Buster In This Hilarious Horror Multiplayer

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Release Date: October 18, 2022
• Developers: Illfonic

There isn’t a soul alive who hasn’t at the very least heard of the Ghostbusters franchise, revolving around a group of scientists who have created a piece of equipment that can banish troublesome spirits plaguing buildings and those that dwell within them.

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In Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, four Busters team up to take down one ghost, with the ghost having to fully haunt the location as the busters seek to try and stop it by using the menagerie of equipment at their disposal. It is a fun and chaotic experience that places more emphasis on creating laughs than screams. For those who enjoy the fun aspect of DbD, like making joke Survivor load-outs with friends, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed will be right up their alley.

4 Evil Dead: The Game

An In-Depth Asymmetrical Horror Game

This asymmetrical horror title puts the lore of the Evil Dead franchise to good use. It allows players to team up in a group of survivors against demons and, of course, includes the franchise hero Ash. The game received many updates and add-ons after its release, adding more cosmetics and characters for fans to play.

Those who enjoy playing as Ash in Dead by Daylight should definitely consider trying Evil Dead: The Game to see how he compares. Although Saber Interactive will no longer be giving the game updates, the servers remain active for any gamers who want to dive in, which DBD fans definitely should. Banishing the demons is a tough yet fun challenge, and playing as demons will make gamers feel like unstoppable monsters. The level-up system and the skill tree reward players for their efforts in each game, offering surprisingly in-depth mechanics for a multiplayer title.

3 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Centered Around The Iconic Slasher Movie

The 1970s brought horror fans an excellent and visceral experience with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, introducing a new horror movie villain that would go down in infamy. Though Bubba was released as a stand-alone killer in Dead by Daylight, he was also the star of the dedicated horror game that sees a team of survivors trying to sneak their way out of the map as the Sawyer family mercilessly hunts them down.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is unique in the way that the survivors don’t have to worry about just one killer. Instead, four victims must survive three killers. This makes the game that much more intense, as killers can coordinate to trap a victim and end all hopes of their escape. It’s a genuinely terrifying experience that all asymmetrical horror fans should definitely take the time to experience. especially if they like Dead by Daylight.

2 Identity V

A Burton-esque Multiplayer Horror Experience

• Platforms: Android, PC, iOS
• Release Date: April 2, 2018
• Developers: NetEase Inc

Identity V is a free-to-play asymmetrical survival horror game that receives regular updates and in-game events. Like Dead by Daylight, players take the role of either a survivor or hunter, and each playable character has their own skills and traits. The characters and in-game lore are wholly original, and each character has their own mysterious backstory that can be deduced through gameplay.

While the art style may not be as “gory slasher movie”-inspired, it is delightfully creepy with music to match. The survivors are just as eerie as the hunters, with buttoned doll eyes and their own skeletons in the closet. There are game modes for serious and casual players, and the playerbase is thriving.

1 Crawl

A Wholly Unique Asymmetrical Horror Game

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Release Date: August 6, 2014
• Developers: Powerhoof

Crawl is a different kind of asymmetrical gaming experience. It’s local multiplayer and a dungeon crawler. The twist is that one player will take the role of a human explorer, and the rest will be spirits possessing items and monsters. The spirits’ goal is to possess the human body, but that means they’ll have to take on the monsters.

Playthroughs of Crawl are fast-paced and unpredictable, leading to a lot of fun. There are level-up evolutions for both humans and monsters, and both sides are constantly kept on their toes. It’s ideal for four (or fewer) local friends to pick up and dive right into. Dungeons are randomly generated, so repeated playthroughs won’t get stale.