Redfall: release date, trailers, gameplay, and more | Tech Reader

Since Arkane Studios falls under the Bethesda umbrella, which is now owned by Microsoft, it should come as no surprise that Redfall is exclusive to Xbox. It will come to Xbox Series X/S and PC, and will, of course, be available on Xbox Game Pass day one. It’s unlikely the game will come to PlayStation or Nintendo, given that it’s a first-party Microsoft product.

Microsoft has practically released a new Redfall trailer at every one of its digital showcases since the game’s reveal, so there’s plenty to watch. We won’t list them all here, but just the main ones you should be aware of.

Redfall was announced at E3 2021 with a CGI trailer. It didn’t show off much, but it gave a look at its main characters, along with some of the enemies you’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.

The most recent trailer doubles down on gameplay, giving us a look at the world, characters, and many of the combat scenarios you’ll get thrown into in Redfall.

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.

Keep in mind, you cannot change your character after starting a particular campaign. If you want to play as a new character, you’ll have to start a different campain.

Redfall is an RPG 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 one of the trailers — 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. Trailers showed off fast-paced, aggressive action and sneaky stealth tactics to avoid conflicts altogether. You’ll also explore lighthouses, dilapidated diners, movie theaters, and even tourist traps such as festival grounds and local shops within the town of Redfall.

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.