Summary
Dead by Daylight’s latest DLC update brings the legendary Xenomorph and iconic survivor Ellen Ripley from theAlienmovie franchise into its ever-growing Museum of Horror collection. As a hunter-killer that stalks the vents of the Nostromo ship in the movies, the horrifying Xenomorph seems like the perfect fit forDead by Daylight’s Fog. Additionally, it possesses various capabilities that can create a different gameplay experience for players.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, Behaviour Interactive Creative Director Dave Richard and Game Designer onDead by DaylightJanick Neveu spoke more about the Xenomorph’s abilities compared to otherDead by Daylightkillersseen in the long-standing asymmetrical multiplayer game so far and how the developers worked closely with Disney to adapt the iconic monster into aDead by Daylightkiller. Richard and Neveu also explained more about the new tunnel system, a completely new unique ability belonging specifically to the Xenomorph, and what tools Survivors have against the Alien.
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When speaking about the process of adapting the Xenomorph into aDead by DaylightKiller, Richard explained how the team worked closely with Disney to ensure the character stayed true to the license while fitting into the game world and “what sort of game mechanic and new element that it is going to bring toDead by Daylight”.Richard also described the Xenomorph as “easy-to-use, hard-to-master”, something the team likes to do to accommodate both new and veteran players. In terms of the Xenomorph’s abilities, Neveu described one of the coreAlien powers and abilitiesas Crawler Mode.
“In Crawler Mode, you have the ability to use your tail, which is extremely deadly for survivors because it can reach further than normal attacks. It can reach over obstacles; it can cut the path to survivors unexpectedly. So, it’s definitely a skill that it’s easy to use, but hard to master – a trick shot attack. And I think that the players will have fun learning and getting better at using it.”
The Xenomorph also adds a lot to the gameplay when considering the new tunnel system and theart of a good jump scarein horror. Unlike other killers, the Xenomorph can access a unique tunnel system under the level where it can detect and quickly travel towards survivors, popping out at Control Station points in potentially terrifying jump scare or attack moments. While maybe not as stealth-driven as other Killers in the game, Richard added the Xenomorph’s jump scares are “where the Xenomorph hunting fantasy comes into play.”
Describing the Xenomorph as “probably the most lethal weapon you can have”, Richard explained how the team introduced the turret to add balance and give Survivors “something to fight back”. Although the turret doesn’t hurt or damage the Xenomorph, Neveu described turrets as more of an “annoyance” to the Xenomorph, staying true to therules ofDead by Daylightwherein the killer cannot die. Neveu said its addition also makes sense for the license, where characters like Ripley “always have something to help them out to fight the creatures.”
Although theAlien Chapter adds Ellen Ripley as a new Survivor with unique perks, when speaking about the new Survivor gameplay and tools like turrets, Arnold emphasized that “every survivor that will face the Xenomorph will have access to this gameplay.” All Survivors can use the new turret as aDead by Daylightspecial itemconnected to the Xenomorph killer, plus the new Steam Pipes environmental feature specific to the new Nostromo map.
Dead by Daylightis currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
