Daylight (video game)

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Daylight is a survival horror video game developed by Zombie Studios and published by Atlus. It was released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in April 2014. Utilizing the Unreal Engine 4, Daylight is noted for its procedurally generated environment and use of dynamic lighting, which play a central role in the game's mechanics. The game is played from a first-person perspective, with the player taking on the role of Sarah Gwynn as she navigates the haunted halls and dilapidated corridors of Mid Island Hospital and its surrounding areas.

Gameplay

In Daylight, players control Sarah, who wakes up in an abandoned hospital with no memory of how she got there. The primary objective is to escape while avoiding ghostly entities and other supernatural threats. The game is unique for its procedurally generated levels, meaning that no two playthroughs are the same. Players use a variety of light sources, most notably a cell phone, to illuminate dark areas and ward off spirits. The cell phone also serves as a map and provides clues to further the narrative. Puzzles and obstacles require players to find keys, solve mysteries, and uncover new areas as they attempt to find a way out.

Plot

The story of Daylight is centered around Sarah Gwynn as she tries to uncover the mysteries of Mid Island Hospital and its dark past. Through scattered documents and remnants, players piece together the history of the hospital, learning about its transformation from a philanthropic institution into a charnel house of horror and despair. The narrative delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural, with the player's discoveries influencing the unfolding of the story.

Development and Release

Developed by Zombie Studios and powered by Unreal Engine 4, Daylight was one of the first games to utilize the engine's capabilities for dynamic lighting and procedural generation. The development team aimed to create a survival horror game that could offer a new experience with each playthrough, emphasizing unpredictability and player immersion. Following its announcement, Daylight generated interest for its innovative use of technology and its approach to horror. It was released in April 2014 for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4, receiving mixed reviews from critics. The game was praised for its atmosphere, lighting effects, and the procedural generation system but was criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of depth in the story.

Reception

Upon release, Daylight received mixed reviews from critics. The game's atmosphere and use of light as a gameplay mechanic were generally praised, as was the procedural generation of the environment, which added to the replay value. However, criticisms were leveled at the game for its repetitive nature, with some reviewers feeling that the scares and gameplay elements became predictable after a short time. The narrative and character development were also seen as lacking, preventing players from becoming fully invested in the story.