So comes the very night, accursed and ravenous. It spreads from Dracula’s Castle, through the woods and villages. Whispers of terror in the night. The vampire stirs. Available August 6th via the Steam public test build, and officially releasing on August 27th, Dead by Daylight: Castlevania sinks its teeth into one of gaming’s longest running series to bring Dracula and Trevor Belmont into The Fog.
An Immortal Franchise
It’s difficult to think back to a time in gaming without Castlevania, one of the most iconic series from Konami Digital Entertainment’s (KONAMI). First released in 1986 on the Famicom Disk System in Japan, then on the NES in 1987 and going strong ever since, the Castlevania franchise boasts a legacy almost as enduring as that of its main villain.
For many – those on the Dead by Daylight team included – the original Castlevania in all its 8-bit glory represented an early introduction to horror gaming. Countless titles, a hit animated series, and decades of intricate lore later, Castlevania continues to ascend the pantheon of horror with its arrival in Dead by Daylight.
Dracula’s powers and those of his castle are inextricably linked, and The Entity has brought both into its realm. Any time Dracula is the featured Killer in a Trial with an Original Map, players will see the ominous castle looming over the proceedings, perched on the horizon of that Map. The powers it bestows upon its master are enough to make even the most grizzled Survivor’s blood run cold.Deadly as the wolf. Swift as the bat.
With Castlevania’s Dracula, Dead by Daylight welcomes both its first shapeshifting Killer, as well as its first vampire to The Fog. Regal, imposing, and wholly terrifying, Dracula’s disdain for humankind is matched only by his bloodlust – making The Entity’s Realm a perfect hunting ground for the nightwalker.
It is said the Dark Lord can take many forms, each one proficient in tracking and killing victims. As a Vampire he stalks his prey, able to conjure flames that sear flesh and render bone to ash. The Bat is as quiet as a creeping shadow, approaching at a moment’s notice and gaining ground with a blink. The Wolf is a relentless hunter, with a keen nose for fresh blood – even that which has yet to be spilled…
“We wanted to create a fluidity in the way players can have Dracula change between his different forms and have it feel seamless,” shares Dead by Daylight Creative Director, Dave Richard. “When I first played Symphony of the Night – which is one of my favorite games of all time – having vampiric powers like these was absolutely amazing. Being able to put players in the shoes of The Dark Lord in Dead by Daylight was an alluring and unique opportunity for us.”
Survivor’s Bloodline
Tormented, exiled, and even cursed some say, the Belmont bloodline has stood between humanity and the forces of darkness for countless generations. Yet perhaps, no descendant of this clan is better equipped to take on The Entity’s Realm than new Survivor, Trevor Belmont.
First introduced in 1989’s Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Trevor may not be the brawniest Belmont, but his unique skillset serves to set him apart. From an innate ability to seek out allies and work as part of a team, to his unmatched skills as a vampire hunter, his values and will exemplify what makes the Belmont clan who they are.
Dead by Daylight: Castlevania is currently available as part of the Steam public test build. It releases officially on August 27th.
