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 gameplay style makes it appealing to many horror fans, but some players may be looking for other similar games to play.
Asymmetrical games are becoming more popular, and there are plenty out there to explore. Some play very similarly to Dead By Daylight, but with different characters and visual styles.
Friday the 13th: The Game
Slasher fans may notice that one iconic character is missing from Dead by Daylight: Jason Voorhees. This is because Jason is actually the star of his own asymmetrical horror game, Friday the 13th: The Game. The playstyle is quite similar to DBD, with players either fighting to survive the night as a counselor or hunting down the other players as Jason.
Before a match starts, players choose from a list of counselor characters and a list of different iterations of Jason from across the long-running movie franchise. Players won't know if they're loading in as Jason or a counselor until the game starts, which adds a fun bit of anticipation.
The game is ultraviolent, and definitely not for those sensitive to gore. On the other hand, die-hard horror fans should find plenty to enjoy. Unfortunately, due to legal disputes, the game will no longer be receiving new content. The game is still playable through peer-to-peer matchmaking, however, and still has a dedicated playerbase.
Friday the 13th: The Game is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Identity V
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.
Right now is a great time to start playing, as its third anniversary event is still ongoing as of this writing, offering players plenty of in-game rewards. Even after the anniversary is over, there are crossover events and updates scheduled down the line. Past crossovers have featured franchises like Death Note, Danganronpa, and Persona 5.
Identity V is available now on Mobile and PC.
Crawl
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 then 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.
Crawl is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Dead By Daylight is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, and Xbox One.