Dead by Daylight Vs Halloween: The Game

Horror games hit different when they make you feel like you’re living inside a slasher movie. For years, Dead by Daylight has been the king of that space, pulling killers and survivors from across horror history. But now a new challenger is creeping onto the scene, Halloween: The Game. Instead of mixing and matching icons, it focuses entirely on one of the most legendary slashers of all time: Michael Myers.

Both games want to scare you, but they do it in very different ways. Dead by Daylight is built around fast, repeatable matches where every second counts. Halloween aims for something more cinematic, offering a story mode that feels like stepping straight into the 1978 classic. Now let’s compare Dead by Daylight Vs Halloween: The Game.

What is Dead by Daylight?

Dead by Daylight is the game that put asymmetrical horror on the map. Over the years, Dead by Daylight has turned into a horror sandbox. It’s brought in killers from all over pop culture. That’s the appeal: it’s like a horror hall of fame. And because the game keeps getting updates, new perks, and new killers, it’s stayed alive for almost a decade.

What is Halloween: The Game?

Halloween: The Game is the newcomer, but it already has people buzzing. It’s being made by IllFonic, the same team that worked on Friday the 13th: The Game, so they know their way around a horror world. Instead of throwing in dozens of killers, though, this one is more focused on John Carpenter’s 1978 classic.

Story

Dead by Daylight doesn’t really have a story in the traditional sense. Of course, there’s lore about “The Entity,” a dark force that drags killers and survivors into endless trials, but it’s more background dressing than a driving narrative. Each killer and survivor has a backstory you can read, but once the match begins, that disappears. It’s always the same loop: repair generators, open the gate, try not to get caught. The lore adds flavor, but the real focus is gameplay and tension.

Halloween: The Game goes in a completely different direction. This one actually has a story you can play through, and the highlight is its single-player campaign. You step into Michael Myers’ mask and relive the chilling night of 1978. The town of Haddonfield has been recreated in detail, giving you that eerie small-town atmosphere from the film.

The campaign doesn’t rush you. It’s designed like a slasher film. You stalk the streets, creep through backyards, cut the power, or mess with phone lines. Then you wait for the perfect moment to strike. It’s less about speed and more about patience, building dread, just like the original movie.

Additionally, the survivors aren’t just random bodies to chase either. They’re called the “Heroes of Haddonfield,” neighbours and townsfolk who feel like real people. Some will try to fight back, others will warn their families, and each has a bit of personality that makes encounters feel super immersive.

Gameplay

Dead by Daylight’s gameplay is tuned for tension and chaos. Survivors spend most of their time repairing generators while dodging the killer. It sounds simple, but the loop creates nonstop cat-and-mouse moments. Survivors can vault windows, drop pallets, or hide in lockers, while killers use their unique powers to counter. Every match is about mind games: do you risk finishing that gen or play it safe? Do you chase the injured survivor or bait the others out?

Killers like The Nurse or Blight add crazy skill ceilings, while simpler ones like Myers are all about sneaking up and striking. And because there are so many killers and perks, the game never really runs out of variety. That’s why it works so well for long-term players.

Halloween: The Game, though, feels very different. The multiplayer mode still has the 1v4 setup, but instead of rushing gens, survivors focus on survival tasks that feel more true to the movie. They might try to warn neighbours, call the cops, or find places to hide. The killer doesn’t zoom around the map with superpowers; Michael Myers is terrifying because he’s patient. He hides in shadows, cuts off escape routes, and uses silence as a weapon.

Then there’s the story campaign, which changes everything. Imagine a stealth game where you’re not the prey, you’re the predator. That’s what it’s going for. It’s not about sprinting after survivors but about deciding how you want to stalk them. It’s closer to something like Hitman, except you’re Michael Myers instead of Agent 47. 

Characters

When it comes to variety, Dead by Daylight wins, no question. It has dozens of killers, from originals like The Wraith and The Huntress to licensed legends like Freddy, Ghostface, and Pinhead. Survivors, while less flashy, still bring their own perks and cosmetics. The character roster is the beating heart of the game. It’s why people keep coming back.

Halloween keeps things tight. The star is Michael Myers, and all the focus goes into making him feel authentic. He’s not just another skin like he is in Dead by Daylight. Here, he is the game. His animations, his movement, even the way he tilts his head at victims, are all pulled straight from the movie. Survivors are smaller in number, but they’re actual characters from Haddonfield. It’s a quality vs. quantity situation. Dead by Daylight gives you variety. Halloween gives you authenticity.

Verdict

So which game is “better”? Honestly, it depends on what you’re after. Dead by Daylight is the pick for players who want constant updates, endless variety, and the thrill of unpredictable multiplayer showdowns. It’s chaotic, replayable, and packed with iconic killers that keep the horror fresh. You can grab it now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and mobile. Halloween: The Game, on the other hand, is built for fans of the movie who want immersion above all else. It may not have the same long-term pull, but its atmosphere and authenticity make it feel like you’re stepping right into the film. It’s set to launch on PC and consoles, making it easy for horror fans to dive in. In the end, both are great, they just scratch very different itches.