Breaking the Mold: Dead by Daylight's Chucky Redefines Killer Expectations

Article Key Points

Chucky is a unique killer in Dead by Daylight, subverting traditional killer character designs.

Chucky is unable to directly lift and capture survivors on his own. Instead, he utilizes his human spirit form to summon and engage with them. In a unique departure from previous Dead by Daylight killers, Chucky's gameplay is portrayed from a third-person perspective, granting players a broader viewpoint in relation to his diminutive stature.

In the typical fashion of Dead by Daylight, fans who have been eagerly waiting for the long-anticipated Child's Play debut are already familiarizing themselves with the strategies of the foul-mouthed Chucky doll, thanks to the PTB. Chucky is proving to be the most unique killer in Dead by Daylight so far, breaking several conventions for a killer character. Despite not being available on the live servers until the end of the month, fans are already experiencing the unconventional nature of Chucky.

The announcement of Chucky's arrival in Dead by Daylight may have been overshadowed by the surprise return of the Stranger Things DLC. However, with the PTB now available, fans have the opportunity to spend time with Chucky and even try him out on the revamped Hawkins Laboratory map. Instantly, fans will notice the many differences between Chucky and other killers, challenging and surpassing the established formula that Behaviour could have easily followed. Chucky is a clear example of innovation and a refusal to remain stationary.

Chucky Refuses to Be a Twins Clone

When initially envisioning Chucky in the context of Dead by Daylight, several misconceptions were likely to arise. Considering Chucky's notably diminutive stature compared to other killers, it was natural to assume that his behavior would mirror that of the Twins' Victory. Additionally, there was speculation of the possibility of introducing a supplementary character to assist Chucky in hooking survivors.

Chucky's design on paper has been decided, but its execution takes the immersion to another level. Chucky becomes the focal point, where all gameplay revolves around him. Instead of directly picking up and hooking survivors, Chucky calls upon an extension of himself, taking the form of his human spirit, Charles Lee Ray.

This approach effectively fulfills the essential killer functions without introducing a separate character like the Twins' Charlotte. It ensures that Chucky remains the main character throughout. Even the lobby screen showcases the spirit's backside, with Chucky gripping its shoulder and holding a chef's knife.

Dead by Daylight’s Chucky is a Brilliant Adaptation of the Iconic Killer

However, Chucky's most innovative feature is that he is fully played from a third-person perspective, with the exception of when a survivor is being picked up and players take control of the spirit form. This is the first time a Dead by Daylight killer has been designed this way, and it is a logical choice since players would have extremely limited visibility at Chucky's height if the perspective was in first-person.

If Chucky had to use aiming down sights for long-range attacks like Huntress or Deathslinger, it could have been problematic. However, his sprinting attack makes it irrelevant, thanks to the third-person perspective that gives players a wider field of view.

Even at his short height, Chucky's animations are not lacking. Players get to witness him leaping up to disrupt generators or destroy pallets. Furthermore, he can even crawl beneath pallets under specific circumstances. Every aspect of Chucky's gameplay in Dead by Daylight appears to have been carefully considered. It's truly impressive to see how Behaviour's creativity allows them to successfully adapt unconventional licensed characters in the future.

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game where players assume different roles. One player becomes the Killer, and the remaining players take on the roles of Survivors. The objective for the Killer is to hunt down the Survivors, while the Survivors strive to escape.

Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Switch, Mobile

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Developer: Behaviour Interactive

Publisher: Behaviour Interactive

Genre: Horror, Survival

Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Engine: Unreal Engine 4

ESRB Rating: M for Mature (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language)

How Long To Beat: N/A

X|S Enhanced: Yes

File Size (Xbox Series): 51 GB (October 2022)

Platforms That Support Crossplay: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

Number of Players: 5

PS Plus Availability: Extra & Premium (See at Steam)

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see Chucky making his debut in Dead by Daylight. Chucky is a unique and iconic slasher villain, and I think he will be a great addition to the game. I appreciate that Behaviour Interactive has taken a unique approach to Chucky's design, making him a truly unique killer to play.

I think the third-person perspective is a great choice for Chucky, as it allows players to have a better view of the action. I also like that Chucky can summon his human spirit form to help him capture survivors. This adds an extra layer of strategy to his gameplay, and it makes him even more challenging to face.

Overall, I think Chucky is a great addition to Dead by Daylight. He is a unique and challenging killer to play, and I think he will be a lot of fun for fans of the game. I can't wait to see what other iconic horror villains Behaviour Interactive adds to the game in the future.