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Redfall

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Redfall
Item: Redfall
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Shooter, Open World, RPG, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableMay 2, 2023

PlatformPC, Xbox Series X

DeveloperArkane Studios

Overview

Redfall is an open-world, co-op FPS from Arkane Austin, the award-winning team behind Prey and Dishonored. Continuing Arkane’s legacy of carefully crafted worlds and immersive sims, Redfall brings the studio’s signature gameplay to this story-driven action shooter.

Elsewhere

3.8

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

10%

Mixed (50-79)

66%

Negative (0-49)

24%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Redfall has received a mix of opinions from critics, with some highlighting positive aspects. Checkpoint Gaming praises the game for presenting an interesting and unique take on the vampire backstory, with strong lore and intriguing character backstories. GameStar also commends the game for its picturesque New England setting overrun by vampires and cultists, emphasizing the scenario as one of its greatest strengths. VGC appreciates how Redfall explores themes of generational trauma, institutional wealth, healthcare, and religion, adding depth to the straightforward and fun narrative. On the other hand, several critics point out the negatives of Redfall's story. Dexerto criticizes the narrative for being lackluster and compromised, adopting a 'tell don't show' attitude and featuring abrupt resolutions. Game Informer notes that the story is hard to follow and lacks impact, with forgettable backstories and repetitive side activities. Digital Trends mentions a conflicted narrative with strong moments but suffers from a design identity crisis and technical issues, impacting the overall storytelling experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of Redfall's story. While some appreciate elements like the unique take on vampire lore and the thematic exploration, others criticize the lack of depth, unfulfilling character interactions, and underdeveloped narrative progression. The game seems to struggle with balancing its entertaining premise with engaging storytelling, leading to a narrative that falls short of expectations for a title from Arkane Studios. Critics like COGconnected and PC Invasion highlight the story's simplicity and lack of compelling moments, contributing to a narrative experience that may not fully immerse players in the world of Redfall.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on Redfall's story. Some praise its unique vampire lore, picturesque setting, and thematic depth, while others criticize its lackluster narrative, forgettable backstories, and technical issues. Overall, the consensus is that the game struggles to balance entertainment with engaging storytelling, falling short of expectations for an Arkane Studios title.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

23%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

37%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Redfall, there are some positive aspects highlighted by a few reviewers. Critics like VGC and COGconnected appreciate the engaging combat mechanics and the variety of weapons and abilities available to players. The ability-based combat system and the unique character abilities that can be upgraded through skill points are also mentioned as positives by DualShockers. Additionally, the mix of single-player and co-op gameplay is seen as a strength by DualShockers and VideoGamer, offering players different ways to experience the game. On the other hand, the negative aspects of Redfall's gameplay are emphasized by several critics. Dexerto, TheGamer, and PC Invasion criticize the gameplay for being uninteresting, shallow, and lacking depth. Guardian and Noisy Pixel point out the limited abilities for characters, lack of challenging AI, and messy combat mechanics. Furthermore, critics like Digital Spy, Game Informer, and Siliconera highlight issues such as repetitive missions, unfulfilling abilities, and poorly implemented game mechanics, leading to a lackluster experience for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Redfall's gameplay falls short of expectations. While there are some positive remarks about the combat mechanics and variety of weapons and abilities, the majority of critics express disappointment with the lack of depth, repetitive missions, uninteresting combat, and technical issues present in the game. Critics like Gaming Age, Dexerto, and TheGamer describe the combat as unsatisfying and clunky, while others like PC Invasion and Game Informer point out the lack of engaging gameplay loops and unfulfilling abilities. In conclusion, the general sentiment is that Redfall's gameplay fails to deliver a compelling and immersive experience, with many critics highlighting various shortcomings that hinder the overall enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise Redfall's combat mechanics and variety of weapons, but slam its lack of depth, uninteresting gameplay, and technical issues. Overall, the consensus is that Redfall falls short of expectations, with many pointing out repetitive missions, unsatisfying combat, and unfulfilling abilities, ultimately failing to deliver an engaging experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

59%

Negative (0-49)

12%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The graphics and visual design of Redfall have received a mix of opinions from critics. Some reviewers praised the game for its remarkable art direction and visually striking environments. Critics like VGC and Checkpoint Gaming appreciated the supernatural elements and storytelling moments, with Checkpoint Gaming specifically highlighting the great visual design when showcasing these aspects. The eerie and captivating world of Redfall, as mentioned by Areajugones and But Why Tho??, creates an engaging experience for players, especially fans of open-world games and shooters. The unique, simplified look of the graphics, as noted by Gamers' Temple, adds a distinctive charm to the overall visual design. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various issues with the graphics and visual presentation of Redfall. Dexerto and MMORPG.com criticized the outdated visuals, plasticky character models, low-resolution textures, distracting pop-ins, and technical issues like stuttering and unstable framerates. GameSpew and PCMag highlighted graphical anomalies such as textures failing to load, flickering shadows, and unpolished animations that detract from the overall experience. The lack of coherence in tone and bland open-world design, as noted by PC Gamer and Gamers Heroes, also contributed to the negative feedback on the visual aspects of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Redfall is mixed. While some reviewers appreciated the detailed environments, atmospheric settings, and unique art style, others were critical of the performance issues, outdated graphics, and lack of polish. The game seems to have a polarizing effect on critics, with some finding the visuals engaging and immersive, while others felt that the technical issues and design choices hindered the overall experience. Despite the varied opinions, it is evident that Redfall's graphics and visual design have sparked discussions among critics, showcasing a diverse range of perspectives on the game's visual presentation.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics are divided on Redfall's graphics and visual design. Some praise its remarkable art direction and engaging world, while others criticize outdated visuals, technical issues, and lack of polish. The game's unique style and atmospheric settings impress some, but performance problems and design flaws disappoint others. Overall, Redfall's visuals spark diverse opinions among critics, with some finding them immersive and others finding them lacking.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

31%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Redfall are quite varied, showcasing a mix of positive and negative feedback. Critics like NME, GamesHub, and We Got This Covered praise the game's soundtrack for capturing the mood perfectly, being tension-building, and adding to the immersive atmosphere. The cracking soundtrack with electronic beats, eerie and upbeat tracks, and ambient noise are highlighted as positive aspects that enhance the gameplay experience. Additionally, the voice acting in multiple languages is commended for its quality and solid performances, as mentioned by Worth Playing and GamersRD. On the other hand, criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Redfall are also prevalent among the reviewers. GGRecon and IGN Portugal express concerns about the lack of subtlety and immersion in the audio palette during enemy encounters, unimpressive sound effects during vehicle explosions, and the mismatch of upbeat hip-hop music during serious moments. Digital Trends points out choppy audio and technical issues with sound, which can hinder the overall experience for players. TheGamer mentions that while the audio and visual feedback of the gunplay is enjoyable, issues with AI and difficulty scaling detract from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side regarding the Sound Design and Music of Redfall. The haunting soundtrack, immersive sound effects, and tension-building elements are highlighted as strengths that contribute to creating a tense and engaging atmosphere in the game. Critics like Siliconera and VGC appreciate the ambient vampire prose and overall sound design for adding to the fear factor when facing enemies. While there are criticisms raised by some reviewers regarding certain aspects of the sound design and music, the general sentiment suggests that Redfall succeeds in delivering a sound experience that enhances the gameplay and immerses players in its world.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on Redfall's Sound Design and Music. Positive feedback praises the game's soundtrack for setting the mood, tension-building elements, and immersive atmosphere. However, there are criticisms about lack of subtlety, unimpressive sound effects, and mismatched music during serious moments. Despite some flaws, overall consensus leans towards the positive side, with highlights on the haunting soundtrack, immersive sound effects, and tension-building elements that enhance the gameplay experience.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

20%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

40%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Redfall received mixed reviews from critics. IGN Portugal and Metro GameCentral praised the voice acting, with IGN Portugal stating that it is one of the few positive aspects of the game. Worth Playing also mentioned solid voice performances, indicating that there were commendable aspects to the voice acting in the game. GamersRD appreciated the voice acting in multiple languages, highlighting the effort put into localization, especially in Latin American Spanish. These positive comments suggest that there were instances of good voice acting that added to the overall experience of the game, particularly in different language options and solid performances by some characters. On the other hand, several critics had negative feedback regarding the voice acting in Redfall. Checkpoint Gaming criticized the interactions between characters as generic, with repetitive voice lines and dull scripting, which raised concerns about the multiplayer narrative experience. PCMag mentioned that characters recycled the same lines excessively, describing the dialogue as awful and comparable to the Forspoken school of dialogue. GamesRadar++ noted that the characters felt underdeveloped, with minimal dialogue interactions, indicating a lack of depth and engagement in the voice performances. Digital Trends highlighted soulless NPC-like delivery in multiplayer cutscenes, suggesting a lack of emotional depth or connection in the voice acting performances. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Redfall leans towards the negative side, with more critics pointing out flaws than positives. While there were some commendable aspects such as solid performances and efforts in localization, the general sentiment was that the voice acting fell short in terms of depth, engagement, and originality. Critics like GGRecon and VGC mentioned that the voice acting did not stand out as a standout feature of the game but also did not detract significantly from the overall experience. The varying opinions suggest that while the voice acting may have had its moments of strength, it was not consistently impressive enough to elevate the game's narrative and character interactions to a higher level.

TL;DR

voice acting

The voice acting in Redfall received mixed reviews, with some praising solid performances and efforts in localization, while others criticized generic interactions and lack of depth. Overall, critics leaned towards the negative side, pointing out flaws in engagement and originality. The consensus was that while there were some commendable aspects, the voice acting fell short of enhancing the game's narrative and character interactions significantly.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

34%

Negative (0-49)

57%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

The Technical Performance of Redfall on PC garnered mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers, such as COGconnected and Digital Spy, had positive experiences, noting smooth gameplay with no major issues reported. Additionally, VGC mentioned stable technical performance with no major issues. These positive aspects indicate that Redfall can run smoothly on PC for some players, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. On the other hand, several critics highlighted significant technical issues on the PC platform. Checkpoint Gaming, Destructoid, and GameSpew pointed out various bugs, connectivity issues, texture pop-ins, and performance problems that significantly impacted gameplay. Dexerto and PC Invasion criticized the poor optimization, low FPS, and serious glitches present in the game, making it unenjoyable for players. The consistent mention of bugs, crashes, and stability issues by critics like Game Informer, GameGrin, and Screen Rant further emphasizes the negative technical performance of Redfall on PC. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Technical Performance of Redfall across all gaming platforms leans towards the negative side. The game faced various technical issues such as bugs, performance problems, crashes, and optimization issues, affecting the overall gameplay experience. Critics like God is a Geek, Guardian, and Stevivor highlighted the rampant bugs and technical flaws present in the game, leading to a subpar gaming experience. While there were some positive remarks on stability and minor issues being patchable, the general sentiment suggests that Redfall falls short in terms of technical performance across PC and Xbox Series X platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Redfall's PC performance divided critics, with some praising smooth gameplay while others criticized bugs, connectivity issues, and poor optimization. Despite minor positives like stability, the overall consensus leans towards negative due to prevalent technical flaws impacting the gaming experience across platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

37%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the cooperative gameplay and unique character abilities as factors contributing to the replay value of Redfall. COGconnected appreciated the different playable characters with unique powers, while VG247 and VideoGamer mentioned the replay value offered through co-op gameplay. The promise of future growth and additional content was also seen as a positive aspect by Worth Playing and Pure Xbox, with the latter mentioning the potential for more characters and content enhancing replayability. On the negative side, many critics pointed out various issues that could hinder the game's replay value. Destructoid and GGRecon mentioned repetitive gameplay elements and lack of variety in missions as drawbacks to replayability. Critics like DualShockers and PC Invasion highlighted the game becoming too easy or dull, respectively, which could impact the desire to replay. Lack of engaging story elements, unimpactful progression systems, and connectivity issues in co-op were also mentioned as factors limiting the replay value by critics such as Destructoid, TheGamer, and Worth Playing. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards Redfall having mixed opinions regarding its replay value. While some critics appreciate the cooperative gameplay, unique character abilities, and potential for future growth, others criticize the repetitive nature of missions, lack of engaging content, and connectivity issues in co-op mode. The game's promise for additional content and potential improvements in the future seem to be a point of interest for some critics, but the current state of the game's mechanics and lack of depth in gameplay loop may deter players from revisiting Redfall for extended periods. Critics like Pure Xbox and GGRecon provide insights into both the positives and negatives of the game, showcasing the varied perspectives on Redfall's replay value.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are divided on Redfall's replay value. Positive points include cooperative gameplay, unique character abilities, and potential for growth. However, issues like repetitive gameplay, lack of variety in missions, and connectivity problems dampen the experience. While some see promise in future updates, others find the current state lacking depth. Overall, Redfall's replay value is a mixed bag, with both strengths and weaknesses highlighted by critics.

Overall Verdict

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OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

61%

Negative (0-49)

33%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In terms of positives, some critics highlighted certain aspects of Redfall that they found enjoyable. MondoXbox praised the game for offering an immersive and challenging experience with strategic combat choices and replay value, especially in cooperative gameplay. Screen Rant commended Redfall for doing more right than wrong, providing a worthwhile experience in the multiplayer shooter genre, particularly for players interested in cooperative vampire slaying. Additionally, VGC appreciated the game for its engaging combat, atmospheric setting, and fun story, describing it as a compelling adventure that showcases ambition in the looter shooter genre. On the negative side, numerous critics expressed disappointment with Redfall's overall execution. Dexerto, MMORPG.com, and PCMag criticized the game for being undercooked, unfinished, visually poor, and riddled with bugs, leading to a lackluster and frustrating experience. Noisy Pixel and God is a Geek highlighted significant flaws in gameplay, story, and technical performance, contributing to a messy and disappointing gameplay experience. IGN Portugal, Digital Spy, and TheGamer echoed similar sentiments, pointing out issues such as uninteresting story, brain-dead enemies, and fundamental gameplay flaws that hindered the game's potential. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily towards the negative spectrum regarding Redfall. While some reviewers like MondoXbox and Screen Rant found elements to appreciate in the game's immersive setting and cooperative gameplay, the majority of critics, such as Dexerto, MMORPG.com, and PCMag, criticized Redfall for its underwhelming performance, lack of polish, and overall disappointing experience. The general sentiment suggests that Redfall falls short of expectations set by both Arkane Studios and the looter shooter genre, with issues ranging from technical problems to unengaging gameplay mechanics. Despite a few positive remarks, the overall verdict indicates that Redfall struggles to deliver a satisfying and compelling gaming experience, ultimately failing to resonate with a majority of critics.

TL;DR

Critics praise Redfall for its immersive gameplay and cooperative vampire slaying, but many slam the game for being undercooked, visually poor, and riddled with bugs. While some found elements to appreciate, the majority criticize its lack of polish, unengaging gameplay, and disappointing experience. Overall, Redfall falls short of expectations and fails to deliver a satisfying gaming experience.

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Reviews

190 reviews found

We Got This Covered

Xbox Series X

May 1, 2023