Redfall Review: A New-Fangled Fanged Failure

by Luis May 2, 2023

When it comes to crafting immersive sims, Arkane has long been a studio that delivers memorable experiences. With Redfall, they take a plunge into the cooperative action genre, straying from their traditional roots. So, how does this vampire-infested island adventure fare in the shadows of its predecessors? Let’s take a bite and find out.

Redfall drops players into an eerie island crawling with sinister vampires and their loyal cultist followers. In this action-packed game, you can team up with up to three friends or brave the dangers solo, adjusting the difficulty accordingly. Redfall’s cast of characters—each with their unique abilities—offers a plethora of synergistic combat strategies, making teamwork an essential element of gameplay.

While Redfall retains some semblance of Arkane’s immersive sim pedigree, with multiple approaches to objectives and a richly detailed environment, these elements take a backseat to the game’s combat focus. This shift in priorities results in a less strategic and thoughtful experience than fans of Arkane’s previous titles might expect. Furthermore, Redfall’s lack of public matchmaking could disappoint players seeking to experience the game with a full team.

Redfall’s action-centric gameplay represents a departure from the traditional immersive sims Arkane is known for, such as Dishonored and Prey. Although it retains a few key elements—like environmental storytelling and psychic echoes—these are secondary to the game’s action-oriented focus.

Despite the game’s emphasis on cooperative play and action, Redfall’s art style and voice acting remain top-notch. The island’s melancholic atmosphere and lived-in beauty pay homage to the immersive worlds that Arkane has previously crafted.

Redfall ventures into the realm of cooperative action but stumbles in fully realizing its potential, leaving it as a merely decent game with an underutilized immersive sim foundation. While enjoyable with a group of friends, solo players might find the experience less captivating. Redfall’s beautiful art and excellent voice acting provide a silver lining, but they’re not enough to elevate it to the heights of Arkane’s other masterpieces.

RATING: 2.0 out of 5.0

Redfall is now available on Microsoft PC and Xbox Series S/X.