I still remember the exact moment my brain short-circuited. It was 2022, and I was tuned into the Dead by Daylight sixth anniversary livestream, expecting the usual parade of gory teasers and maybe a roadmap for new Rift cosmetics. Instead, Behaviour Interactive decided to throw me into the deep end of a pool filled with sunblock, swimsuits, and a dating sim featuring the very monsters I’d spent years looping around pallets. Four years later, I can’t help but chuckle at the beautifully bizarre curveball that was Hooked on You.

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Before we dive into that surreal summer romance, let’s talk about what we all actually expected. The Chapter 24 DLC, Roots of Dread, dropped right at the start of June 2022, and it was a banger. The new killer, The Dredge – a writhing, amorphous nightmare made of limbs and darkness – came straight from the Entity’s most twisted experiments. And the survivor, Haddie Kaur, a paranormal investigator who finally got her moment in the fog, confirmed that some well-known leaks had been dead-on. We ate it up. New perks, a creepy map, and a lore drop that made us question what horrors lurk inside lockers. Classic Dead by Daylight. 🎃

But then the broadcast did something wild. The mood shifted from macabre to, well, flirty. The announcement teaser for Hooked on You: A Dead by Daylight Dating Sim felt like a fever dream I didn’t want to wake up from. Instead of gloomy realms and sacrifice hooks, we got a sun-soaked beach on Murderer’s Island. Palm trees, sparkling water, and four killers who traded their weapons for beachwear and the terrifying prospect of small talk. The art style screamed Boyfriend Dungeon, and the whole concept screamed “we let the interns make creative decisions and absolutely do not regret it.”

Let’s obsess over these four romantic (and stabby) options, because I definitely did back then. 💘

  • The Trapper (Evan MacMillan) – Imagine the hulking brute who usually embeds bear traps in your ankles, now presented as a muscular hunk in a striped swimwear bodysuit that leaves little to the imagination. He’s the jock of the island, and I bet his flirting involves lines like “I’d never set a trap… on your heart.” Smooth, Evan. Really smooth.

  • The Huntress (Anna) – The humming axe-wielder swaps her rabbit mask for a summery, flowy dress that somehow makes her even more intimidating. She’s drawn as a towering muscular specimen, and I’m convinced her romance route involves lullabies that slowly make you forget you’re dating a woman who can down you from 40 meters.

  • The Wraith (Philip Ojomo) – Remember that poor soul who rings a bell before uncloaking doom? In Hooked on You he’s the designated “nerd,” wearing matching floral trunks and a short-sleeved button-down. The juxtaposition of his tragic backstory with this soft vacation look is comedy gold. I’d ask him what his favorite book is, just to see him blush.

  • The Spirit (Rin Yamaoka) – The vengeful onryō gets a stunning summer kimono that falls off one shoulder, paired with a black bikini and a sunhat. She’s the elegant, haunting beauty you’d hesitate to anger because you know she can phase through reality and end your beach day permanently.

The official description promised players could “find true love” or “forge friendships,” but also casually mentioned the possibility of being “hacked to death” by your companion. That’s the Dead by Daylight energy we know and love. Nothing says romance like a 50% chance of dismemberment. 🌹🔪

I vividly remember hoping the game would weave in actual Archive lore into the conversations. Imagine discussing the Entity’s realm with the Trapper while sipping a coconut drink, or asking the Spirit about her tragic past over a game of beach volleyball. The cognitive dissonance was chef’s kiss. Here were these characters we’d only ever seen in grim terror situations, suddenly wearing sunglasses and asking about our zodiac sign.

Today, in 2026, Hooked on You has long since sailed past its summer 2022 PC release on Steam. It became one of those wonderfully weird experiments that reminded us games don’t need to take themselves too seriously. The survivor community got to relax for the first time in years, trading generator repairs for dialogue trees and sunburns. Killer mains had to confront the fact that their beloved murderers could indeed be charming – when not impaled on a hook.

If you haven’t tried it yet, just know this: in a world where asymmetrical horror often stays grim, BHVR gave us a gift wrapped in floral prints and unspeakable danger. And I, for one, am still crossing my fingers for a sequel that brings in the Demogorgon wearing board shorts. 🌊

Here’s to the strangest, sunniest chapter in the fog’s history. May your dates be full of butterflies, and not the kind that explode.

For those intrigued by the quirky charm of Hooked on You and eager to dive into its tropical chaos, finding the best price can be part of the fun. Whether you missed the initial release or you're just now considering a trip to this sun-soaked slasher paradise, knowing where to snag a deal can make all the difference.

Luckily, tools like this steam deal finder can help you track discounts and promotions for games like Hooked on You and more. It's a great way to ensure your gaming library gets a boost without breaking the bank. Happy hunting – both in-game and for deals!