Redfall for Xbox and PC: Release date, gameplay, and everything we know

Arkane’s long-rumored vampire game has finally made its debut as Redfall, a new co-op FPS from its Austin studio. While Arkane has historically suck with immersive sims, this looks to take the DNA we all know and love and give it a nice twist. As Co-Creative Director Ricardo Bare says, their “focus remains on deep world building and inventive game mechanics.” We’ll run through everything you need to know about Redfall ahead of its release on Xbox and PC.

The quaint island town of Redfall, Massachusetts, is under siege by a legion of vampires who have blocked out the sun and cut the island off from the outside world. Trapped with a handful of survivors against diabolical enemies threatening to bleed the town dry, choose your hero from a diverse roster, grouping up with others to create the perfect team of vampire slayers.

Forgoing its usual single-player immersive sim design, Arkane is crafting an open-world co-op FPS that can be played either alone or with up to three other players. Players will be able to choose which character to play as, and each offers up unique skills to help destroy the legion of vampires plaguing the town.

Redfall: Gameplay

The gameplay in Redfall should play out similarly to previous Arkane titles, except with its own mechanics. In its open-world you’ll be able to explore the environment, collect and customize new gear, and upgrade your hero’s abilities. Should you want to go in guns blazing or choose a stealthier approach, you can do so.

Arkane boasts that the “ever-changing” setting will react to your choices and actions, which is part for the course for this studio. Not only will you be facing off against a hoard of vampires, but you’ll also contend with human cultists who have grown to worship the monsters in the hopes that they’ll be accepting into their ranks.

Redfall: Story and characters

We don’t know too much about the story in Redfall, but we do know that the vampires you’ll be facing aren’t your typical ones. The ones in Redfall were created after a scientific experiment went horribly wrong, according to Bethesda. They then transformed into various archetypes, like the Angler, who can use a psychic harpoon to drag you away from your friends.

As for your squad, you’ll be able to play one of four characters:

• Devinder Crousley: Someone has to be the crazy conspiracy theorist of the group, and that’s Devinder. Described as an internet-famous paranormal investigator and amateur cryptozoologist, he’s on a mission to figure out the truth behind the vampiric invasion of Redfall.
• Layla Ellison: A whip-smart biomedical engineer, Layla suffered an accident at a mysterious research facility that left her with telekinetic powers.
• Remi de la Rosa: Being a part of an elite Navy rescue unit, Remi always wants to do what’s right for the people around her. With her robot companion Bribon, she hopes to save Redfall’s survivors.
• Jacob Boyer: One of the strangest of the bunch, Jacob is ex-Military who was sent to Redfall as part of an elite private security force just before everything went sideways. He’s been left with a vampiric eye and a spectral raven thanks to what supernatural forces are at play.

Redfall: Is it single-player or multiplayer?

The last few releases from Arkane have been single-player, but it’s upcoming games look to buck that trend. While Deathloop has blended single-player and multiplayer, Redfall is a full-fledged four-player co-op game. Thankfully, you won’t be forced to play with other people if you don’t want to and you can go it entirely solo.

Redfall: Release date and platforms

Redfall will hit Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC in Summer 2022, and it’s releasing into Xbox Game Pass on day one. It looks like it will only be for current-gen Xbox systems because Xbox One was not mentioned.