“Take the script, they said, it’ll be fun, they said.” In Dead by Daylight, voice lines are not a common occurrence, especially once you’ve loaded into a match. However, Nicolas Cage defies the Entity’s rules in multiple ways.
As I guide the actor-turned-DbD star to crouch down and repair a generator while carefully tending to his snappy red suit, I accidentally tilt my camera upwards. Nic Cage finds himself face to face with The Onryo, and what does he do? He screams. As I press the A button to run, hoping for a speed boost, what does he do after half a second of high-knee jogging? He screams. On the first day of his public test build debut, Dead by Daylight’s newest Survivor, with his meme-worthy perks, is already becoming a fan favorite. And it’s not just because it’s hilarious to witness him faking his own death. At the beginning of the year, I never expected Nicolas Cage to come to the rescue and pull Dead by Daylight out of its sophomore slump. It’s a tremendous relief to see.
Comeback of the year
If you were to ask anyone for their opinion on Nicolas Cage, the first reaction you would probably get is a smile. He is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s most adored leading men, and for good reason. His talent extends beyond his on-screen performances, as his enigmatic personality adds to his charm. This captivating aura seamlessly translates into his presence in Dead by Daylight, where his three distinctive Survivor perks will continuously leave you in suspense.
In the realm of Dead by Daylight, the remarkable performer known as Nic Cage engages in a brief burst of high-knee jogging, lasting only half a second, before bestowing one of four randomized “rewards.” With the perk ‘Scene Partner,’ he lets out a scream whenever he gazes upon the Killer in close proximity. As for ‘Plot Twist’? It certainly lives up to its name, as it allows you to deceive others by having an injured Nic effectively feign his own demise in complete silence, only to fully heal and rise to his feet as if nothing ever happened.
Enduring the lengthy queue times and persistently joining five Public Test Build matches, I discovered that most people were there for the same purpose: to witness the captivating presence of Mr. Cage within The Entity’s realm.
As all of us Survivors eagerly tested Nic’s mandatory perks, it resulted in genuinely hilarious moments. With ‘Scene Partner,’ we found ourselves screaming in terror whenever the Killer drew near—a frequent occurrence in a game centered around being chased. While encountering other fallen Nicolas Cages dramatically strewn on the ground, I resisted the urge to rush over and heal them, as ‘Plot Twist’ only takes effect during a solo self-heal in the dying state. On several occasions, ‘Dramaturgy’ flipped the script, subjecting me to the Exposed status and Haste, making me vulnerable to a one-hit takedown if the Killer managed to catch up within 12 seconds.
Unlike more simplistic perks that bear minimal consequences, Nic’s distinctive abilities strike a perfect balance between risk and reward. Not only that, but they also have the potential to shake up the established Survivor meta builds that have seen little variation in recent years, despite the addition of numerous new chapters, characters, and perks to the game.
Among all three perks, Dramaturgy was the most enjoyable for me. However, it also happened to be the least dependable. This aspect, in itself, has the potential to elevate its status within the meta, while simultaneously punishing players who use it excessively.
In Dead by Daylight, the Survivor meta has long relied on what are commonly referred to as “second chance” or Exhaustion perks, acting as a kind of safety net. Behaviour Interactive has made numerous attempts to balance these perks, aiming to encourage players to diversify their loadouts. Yet, many still cling tightly to the tried-and-true classics. A prime example is Dead Hard, a perk that previously allowed injured Survivors to dash forward during a chase, evading being downed. However, with recent changes that limit its activation to after a successful unhooking and reduce the distance covered, players have been searching for a new alternative to fill the void.
Dramaturgy has the potential to be one such alternative. The Haste status effect it provides can leave your Survivor exhausted after a successful swift escape. Moreover, it can only be utilized while in a completely healthy state, with the trade-off of potentially exposing you to a one-hit down. Similarly, Plot Twist could serve as a clever compromise for the nerfed medkits, which now guarantee only one full self-heal as the developers encourage more altruistic actions.
By swapping out a medkit for Plot Twist, you gain the ability to silently and swiftly perform a full self-heal not just once but twice within a single match. This not only provides a tactical advantage but also opens up opportunities for amusing trickery if you enjoy outwitting the Killer. However, there remains a degree of risk involved, as the Killer may choose to pick you up before you can execute the maneuver.
With the arrival of the Nicolas Cage chapter, Dead by Daylight has undeniably been rescued from a sea of lackluster additions and predictable meta builds. It’s truly inspiring to witness the DBD community passionately embrace a new character, reminiscent of the unity we experienced during the Resident Evil chapters set in Raccoon City. Moreover, the fact that Cage’s inclusion is generating interest from outside the game is a significant achievement. While his official debut in The Fog is scheduled for July 25th, based on my experience playing the test build, it promises to be a remarkable addition deserving of a standing ovation.