Ghoul on the Loose: Dead by Daylight Welcomes Ken Kaneki into The Fog

In the eerie realm of The Fog, encountering a Ghoul is both a fearsome and awe-inspiring experience. These creatures possess the uncanny ability to cover vast distances in an instant, their appetite for destruction insatiable as they rip through their prey with ferocious zeal. Their attacks are swift and brutal, leaving behind not only physical wounds but emotional scars.

Many would argue that Ghouls epitomize the essence of ultimate killers, especially when they completely channel their dark instincts. Ken Kaneki became one such force after enduring unspeakable torment at the hands of the malevolent Ghoul, Jason. He emerged with untapped power, driven by his most basic instincts, only to find himself shrouded in a sinister black Fog.

A Ghoul Unleashed

Once ensnared in a relentless cycle of Trials under the influence of The Entity, Ken Kaneki is no longer the person he once was. The Ghoul he has become is a menacing figure, masked and just as ruthless as the captor who once inflicted such torment upon him. Survivors crossing his path are met with the terrifying might of his Kagune—a terrifying ability brought to life by Dead by Daylight’s Principal Game Designer, Janick Neveu, and his team.

"Though his demeanor has changed, it was crucial for us that players still feel they’re playing the Kaneki from the series," shares Neveu. "His tentacles are such an integral part of him, so we immediately knew they’d form the basis of his Power."

Recognizing the Kagune’s potential for enhanced mobility added instant appeal. Neveu notes, “High-mobility killers are always a hit, so we aimed to create a gameplay experience that’s fresh, enjoyable, and balanced for all players to avoid it becoming overpowering.”

Although a high-mobility killer comes with great potential, the developers wanted The Ghoul to be approachable for newcomers to Dead by Daylight, especially those familiar with the series. "He’s easy to grasp but challenging to master," Neveu explains. "Our recent chapters introduced killers with steep learning curves, but The Ghoul offers a more straightforward play style. Of course, there’s depth for seasoned players, offering plenty of intricacies to explore."

All The Rage

Kaneki’s Enraged Mode brings an extra layer of depth to his ability set, allowing players to tap into even greater power. "When Kaneki enters Enraged Mode, his tentacles become temporarily empowered," Neveu elaborates. "Successfully landing a lunge on a Survivor inflicts a Deep Wound, triggering Enraged Mode. With this, an additional lunge is available, and if it strikes a Survivor, your next Vault will speed up. This bonus creates strategic opportunities in The Ghoul’s gameplay."

Equipped with a versatile Power and three distinct Perks—Hex: Nothing But Misery, Forever Entwined, None Are Free—Kaneki exerts pressure all over the battlefield, giving players the sensation that he’s omnipresent.

Dive into this spine-chilling iteration of Ken Kaneki with Dead by Daylight: Tokyo Ghoul, available on Xbox today.