We can confidently say that Redfall has already shown immense potential, and after spending a few hours experiencing it, we are convinced of its excellence. The game brings together the best elements of Arkane’s Dishonored series and Deathloop while incorporating a captivating supernatural narrative and exceptional shooting mechanics. Redfall is a familiar first-person shooter that can be played both in co-op mode and solo.
To clarify, Redfall offers players a chance to explore the story sections alone, but also provides optional components perfect for teaming up with friends. Among the playable characters, we chose Layla, who has the ability to summon her vampire boyfriend to fight on her behalf, as well as use a purple spectral elevator to propel herself into the air. Furthermore, she has an umbrella that acts as a shield, absorbing bullets before repelling them at her enemies. Her abilities are upgradable, making her a formidable character.
However, we were also tempted by Jacob Boyer, who can conjure a ghostly sniper rifle to eliminate multiple enemies simultaneously. Each character caters to different play styles, with skill trees allowing for specialization in solo play or teamwork. For instance, Layla can upgrade her elevator skill to place more of them, while also enhancing buffs for her teammates when they jump off the lift and shoot in mid-air.
Redfall exhibits exemplary gunplay, and any preconceptions about Arkane-developed titles should be set aside. The game is a shooter at its core, complemented by the powers, narrative, and world-building aspects from previous games. The main story mission we played involved infiltrating a vampire-infested mansion, and what struck us most was how the game world responded to our actions. Players can clear out the mansion and loot to their heart’s content, but once the enemies are gone, they stay gone. The game encourages exploration without dictating specific objectives or relying on on-screen markers.
Initially, we found ourselves questioning what to do next, but soon realized that the clues were right in front of us. There was no hand-holding or nudging, leaving it up to us to piece together the information. This sense of freedom and trust in the player’s abilities was a refreshing change of pace.
As we explored the mansion, we anticipated a massive boss battle, but it never materialized. Our reward for thorough exploration was uncovering more of the narrative and delving deeper into the world of Redfall, eager to learn how the vampires took over the town. The game features a variety of vampire types, as well as cultists who worship them. Each weapon we tried was equipped with a stake, as merely depleting a vampire’s health bar is not enough; they must be staked to be defeated. The game never restricts players from entering certain areas, but we encountered enemies that were clearly too powerful for our current abilities. We are eager to return for a rematch.
Redfall offers skill trees, a loot system, and a rich narrative to uncover. The open-world environment provides safe houses to unlock and side missions to tackle at the player’s leisure. The verticality and powers of the heroes ensure that no two missions feel the same, and the game is brimming with atmosphere. From timed loot dungeons to main story missions, we are eager to play more of Redfall.
There are still many questions about Redfall, such as the scale and length of the game, how well co-op mode functions, and the potential of other playable characters. However, we now have a clear understanding of the game’s nature, and Arkane continues to be a developer we trust.
