“Redfall used to look like it was straight out of a postcard.”
That was before a legion of vampires *claimed* the island…and its residents. These new vampire overlords have totally walled the island off from the outer world and any possibility of rescue by blocking out the sun and driving the ocean back from Redfall’s borders. That’s when you enter the picture. You can choose from a roster of four heroes and play single or with up to three other players to complete your team. You’ll take on the deadly danger and solve the secret behind the vamps’ appearance with a wide range of configurable gear, specialist vampire-hunting equipment, and distinctive character talents (from the supernatural to the scientific).
Get your first look at Redfall gameplay, which debuted at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, and prepare to “Bite Back” in 2023 when Redfall releases.
The Most Important Things to Know About Redfall
Redfall delivers everything you might desire in a cooperative, story-driven FPS game, as well as everything Arkane fans have come to expect from the developer. An open world full of mystery, a vast roster of characters to pick from, strategic combat that will keep you on your toes, meticulously built settings, a compelling narrative that will guide you through the universe, a wide range of weaponry… and vampires. There are a lot of vampires. Vampires who seize you and separate you from your group. Hulking vampires with the ability to rip you and your crew apart. Vampires with godlike abilities capable of obliterating the sun. Vampires from Arkane.
The demo presentation gave you a little taste of everything Redfall has to offer, but here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the game, plus some bonus information from the Arkane Austin team.
You get to choose what type of hero you wish to be.
Redfall has a diverse range of heroes, from Layla’s amazing telekinetic talents and Jacob’s otherworldly eye to Remi’s adorable-yet-lethal robotic companion and Dev’s ingenious cryptid-hunting gear.
Layla Ellison – is a biomedical engineering student who completed an internship at a research facility when something went horribly wrong, leaving her with telekinetic talents.
Jacob Boyer – is a former military sniper who now works as a private contractor. Strange things have happened on Redfall, and Jacob now has a peculiar vampiric eye and a spectral raven by his side.
Remi de la Rosa – is a talented combat engineer who has spent her entire career fighting on the front lines. She’s committed to save Redfall’s survivors with the help of her robot companion Bribón.
Devinder Crousley – is an ambitious inventor and cryptozoologist. He’s on a mission to prove himself, armed with weaponry he designed himself.
As you fight to defend Redfall, upgrade your hero’s skills to make them even more lethal, and try out a variety of playstyles and loadouts. You have the opportunity to change things up and try something new at any time.
You can go it alone or with a group of pals.
For a more stealthy, exploratory experience, go solo, or team up with up to three other players for some friendly vampire-hunting. “The solo experience has been a significant emphasis for Redfall, in keeping with Arkane’s passions,” says Studio/Creative Director Harvey Smith. “Redfall is an open world game, yet any of the heroes can be played solo. The pace quickens as you use recon and stealth to acquire information on confrontations, dodge foes, and obtain the upper hand.”
Unlike playing solo, which compels you to rely exclusively on yourself, establishing a squad allows you to pool your resources with other players and try out methods that are only available in a group setting. You may, of course, switch things up at any time. Redfall offers a seamless blend of single-player and multiplayer gameplay, allowing you to play with anybody you wish. It’s up to you how you deal with the darkness.
Redfall used to be such a pleasant location to visit.
The picturesque streets of Redfall remain recognisable — from the once-bustling downtown and fairgrounds to the coastal beachfront and beyond — but since the vampires took over, things have really gone south and tourism has reached an all-time low. When it comes to creating worlds, Arkane loves to mix the familiar with the fantastic, and Redfall is no exception. The master level designers behind Prey’s alien-infested art deco splendour have applied their meticulous attention to the studio’s most modern setting yet, creating a rich, immersive world for players to lose themselves in.
These aren’t your average vampires.
“Our vampires aren’t some far-fetched fantasy,” Smith explains. “They’re predatory monsters who feed on the weak in order to get stronger.”
The Redfall vampires have pushed the water away from the island and blacked out the sun, transforming the once-peaceful town into their own private playground. Redfall’s vampires are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, having been created by science experiments gone horribly wrong (or tragically right, if you’re one of the vampires) and endowed with strong psychic skills.
These nocturnal animals even have their own power structure, which begins with your “normal” minions and progresses to… well, you’ll see. Each rung on the ladder is smarter and more hazardous than the one before it, so you’ll have to think outside the box to deal with them. It’s not always a good idea to rush in without first seeing what’s around the corner.
It’s not just vampires to be concerned about.
Vampires aren’t the only danger you’ll have to watch out for. They have a small army of devout cultists who revere them and are ready to fire on sight. Cultists are well-armed and eager to die for the vampires, albeit they aren’t quite as lethal as their bloodsucking rulers. Keep your head on a swivel since they’ve set up bases and patrol routes all around the island.
Wide broad spaces allow for a lot of room exploration… as well as danger
In Redfall, there’s a whole new world to explore, with new secrets (and threats) lurking around every corner. On the island of Redfall, there’s plenty of danger, from cultist strongholds to warped mental realms known as Nests. “When not undertaking the major plot tasks, players can help Redfall by taking neighbourhoods back from the vampires and the cultists who worship them,” says Creative Director Ricardo Bare. You can chip away at the world a little at a time, making it a little more pleasant for the people of Redfall who are simply trying to survive the vampire apocalypse.
You will, however, have access to a vast arsenal to assist you along the road.
As you explore Redfall, you’ll come across a plethora of weaponry. Some will be created by survivors from salvaged materials, while others may be high-grade military equipment. Collect, improve, and expand your arsenal of weapons. You never know when you’ll feel like trying something different.
“Our weapons are an interesting twist on the genre,” says Production Director Ben Horne. “We have loadout options players already know and love, like rare shotguns and sniper rifles, all with randomized weapon traits to make each drop feel like one of an endless potential of combinations. In addition to that, some of our weapons are unique vampire-hunting weapons — like the Stake Launcher or UV Beam — that can be used tactically to eliminate the vampire threat.”
You’ll have to rely on your intellect as much as your weaponry.
Even with all of the weapons and talents available to you, you’ll want to utilise your head. Vampires can be defeated with guns blazing, but make sure you’re prepared, especially if you’re travelling alone. Using Jacob’s raven for scouting or relying on your own sneaky abilities is an excellent approach to ensure you’re never caught off guard when things go bump in the night.
“Redfall is a game where stealth can be used to get the drop on an enemy, reach a good vantage, or avoid a combat encounter altogether,” says Smith. “It’s not a pure stealth game, but a stealth-enabling shooter. We love that because having AI with simulated hearing and sight always leads to interesting dynamic gameplay moments. Creeping up on enemies, avoiding notice, using the right weapons and damage types, choosing when to employ your crazy powers, knowing when to break off combat and stake a vampire that’s been petrified by UV light, all of that is part of Redfall’s tactically expressive gameplay.”
Learn even more about Redfall and stay up-to-date on all news and behind-the-scenes information at Redfall.com.