Arkane, Bethesda, and Xbox Game Studios' Redfall is one of the most disappointing releases of 2023 for several reasons, but mainly because it feels like a collection of ideas and mechanics in search of a game. The island setting and vampire slaying action can be fun at times, but it's an experience that is also plagued with technical issues.

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As an open-world setting for a new first-person action, stealth, exploration jam from Arkane - the studio behind critically acclaimed titles like Dishonored, Prey, and, more recently, Deathloop - Redfall the town presents an evocative and strikingly quaint locale to videogame in. That said, this is also a departure for both the studio and Bethesda, so Redfall the videogame offers a story-driven and loot-heavy campaign that can be played solo or co-op with up to four players.

It’s a shame, then, that even with its sound premise, an interesting setting, and co-op sandbox framework, Redfall is just so disappointing. So many of its elements feel off, from small things like the lack of a weapon wheel to switch between weapons to slightly more critical gripes like being three screens away from changing a pistol to a UV Beam.

These criticisms sit low on a list that includes bigger things like its confusing and meandering narrative, lack of meaningful exploration and discovery, and the complete lack of surprise. For a game with “loot” to find, that last bit is what you’d call a nail in the wooden box.

Our Full Redfall Review