E3 2021 was filled with surprises, but none were as shocking as Redfall — a new cooperative shooter from Arkane Austin. No gameplay was shown off during its debut, but we did get a gorgeous CGI trailer that gave us a closer look at the terrifying world we’ll be thrust into when it launches. Since then, multiple trailers have arrived, offering a firsthand look at the cooperative shooter.
Redfall remains shrouded in mystery, but much can be gleaned from its handful of trailers. This includes playable characters, types of enemies you’ll be facing, lore about the world you’ll be exploring, and much more. From release date and gameplay to multiplayer and available platforms, here’s what we know about Redfall.
Further reading
- The best games on Xbox Game Pass for 2022
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- The best FPS games for Xbox Series X
Release date
Redfall doesn’t have a release date yet, but it does have a release window. We originally expected to see Arkane’s game on shelves in the summer of 2022, although the official Bethesda Twitter account announced that the game would be pushed into the first half of 2023. That timeframe was confirmed at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. There’s also been some leaked info about a potential beta — although nothing has been confirmed by Arkane.
Platforms
Revealed at the end of the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, it probably came as no surprise that Redfall is an Xbox exclusive. So far, the game has been confirmed for the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Arkane is owned by Bethesda — which was recently acquired by Xbox — so it’s unlikely the cooperative game will see the light of day on Sony or Nintendo consoles.
Trailers
Redfall was announced at E3 2021 with a CGI trailer. It doesn’t show off much, but it does give a look at its main characters, along with some of the enemies we’ll be up against.
Then, during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase 2022, we were treated to our first bit of gameplay. We see each of the four main characters in action, along with an assortment of enemies, new locations, and a few of the different weapons you’ll be able to unlock as you play.
There’s also the official Welcome to Redfall trailer, which shows off each of the playable characters in action. It also gives you a brief look at the customization options that’ll be available at launch.
Just a few days before Halloween 2022, Arkane dropped the Into the Night trailer, showing off some haunting enemies, frightening new locations, and a whole lot of blood. It doesn’t show off a ton of new gameplay — but it’s always great to see Redfall in action.
If the above trailers aren’t enough, you can check out more than 20 minutes of Arkane Austin discussing the intricacies of Redfall.
Gameplay
Arkane bills Redfall as an open-world co-op shooter. That sounds a lot like Left 4 Dead, and it even has a motley cast of characters to rival those of the iconic shooter. So far, we’ve seen four big character reveals, each with their own background, skills, and personality.
- Devinder Crousley: A paranormal investigator and amateur cryptozoologist, Crousley wants to figure out what happened to Redfall and expose the truth to the world.
- Layla Ellison: After studying biomedical engineering at Redfall Technical University, Ellison interned at Aevum Therapeutics. Something apparently went wrong at the facility, although all she remembers is waking up with telekinetic powers.
- Remi de la Rosa: A combat engineer with a brilliant mind, Remi de la Rosa is accompanied by Bribon — her robotic ally — as she tries to save the town of Redfall.
- Jacob Boyer: An ex-military sharpshooter, Boyer is in Redfall as part of a private security operation. He’s now got a “mysterious vampiric eye” and commands a spectral raven that does his every bidding.
Redfall will be playable as both a solo or cooperative adventure, with players facing off “against a legion of vampires that have overtaken the once-quaint island town of Redfall.” The game is said to take cues from other titles in the Arkane roster — such as Prey and Dishonored — so it’ll be curious to see how your actions shape the world around you and impact the moment-to-moment combat.
As far as actual gameplay, Redfall is an FPS, although each character brings their own set of unique skills and gear to the battle. These will be customizable, as you’ll find ways to upgrade them as you play through each round. You’ll be up against vampires that are the result of a science experiment gone wrong, with some of them taking on various superpowers. For example, the Angler — seen in the trailer — uses a psychic harpoon to pull players away from their group, leaving them open to subsequent attacks.
Like other titles from Arkane, you’re free to engage in combat as you see fit. The latest gameplay trailer from the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase showed off fast-paced, aggressive action and sneaky stealth tactics to avoid conflicts altogether. We also learned about a few of the locations you’ll be exploring, which include lighthouses, dilapidated diners, movie theaters, and even tourist traps such as festival grounds and local shops.
Arkane said that each round will play out differently than the last, and the team is very much focused on building a world you’ll want to explore. If Prey and Dishonored are anything to go by, expect a world brimming with mysteries to uncover and a lore book that’s deceptively deep.
Multiplayer
As far as we know, Redfall only features cooperative multiplayer for up to four players. It’s unclear whether you’ll get to jump into the shoes of vampires — similar to how Left 4 Dead lets you jump into the shoes of its Infected — but we do know that its single-player and multiplayer modes are somehow going to blend together.
Pre-order
No retailer is currently accepting pre-orders for Redfall. Since the game won’t arrive until 2023, you’ll probably want to check back in a few months to see if anything has been announced.
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