Arkane Studios’ supernatural shooterRedfallmay not be exactly what fans were hoping for from the studio that delivered critically acclaimed, systems-heavy titles likeDishonoredandPrey, but it still stands as a great example of the sorts of titles that are perfect for the Xbox Game Pass service. With its relatively short length, unique setting, and some genuinelyenjoyable co-op gameplaydespite the title’s numerous technical problems,Redfallis the sort of broadly accessible game Microsoft should focus on for its popular subscription service.
The fact thatRedfallwas review bombedalmost immediately upon release shows that there are still multiple issues with the game that need to be addressed, but there are also elements of the game that make it an ideal title for a subscription service like Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass. While some gamers thrill at the thought of sinking hundreds of hours into the latest major release, for others setting aside real-world responsibilities for days’ worth of achievement hunting simply isn’t a viable option. With a campaign that can be completed in roughly a dozen hours without feeling like a mad dash to the finish line,Redfallmakes a perfect counterpoint to those sorts of sprawling epics.
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Redfall’s Short Length Makes it a Great Choice for a Weekend Binge
Much like Arkane’s acclaimed sci-fi shooterPreyand its twoDishonoredtitles, players can expect to finishRedfall’s solo campaign in around 12-16 hours if they stick solely to the main story missions. This time can be further reduced when playing in co-op mode since the combination of the additional firepower and the still-rough state of enemy AI makes the game a simple, but still surprisingly enjoyable, exercise in quickly dispatchingRedfall’s hordes of vampires, cultists, and mercenaries. This compact length makesRedfalla great,short Xbox Game Pass gamefor those with limited time looking to play through something over a lazy weekend.
Similar to recent Xbox Game Pass releases like thesurprise hitHi-Fi Rush, the short length ofRedfall’s campaign never feels like it holds the game back from delivering a complete narrative experience. WhetherRedfall’s surprisingly satirical story and its themes of class warfare as filtered through a supernatural lens land with players is another matter altogether, though.Redfallalso has plenty to offer players looking for a slightly more substantive experience, with numerous side missions to complete and items to find that can easily extend the game’s runtime by a dozen hours or more.
Redfall is a Great Way to See Some Scares with Friends
Redfallis also a great example of how an Xbox Game Pass release can introduce a relatively niche genre, co-op horror shooters in this case, to a larger audience than might be possible with a traditional release. While recent releases likeDead SpaceandCapcom’sResident Evil 4remakehave helped bring the greatly underappreciated horror genre back to the forefront, horror games with a co-op element still remain few and far between. AlthoughRedfallisn’t the same sort of strictly scare-focused title as EA and Capcom’s recent remakes, it still offers plenty of spine-chilling moments great for experiencing with friends.
Playing through Arkane’s spooky shooter with friends not only means easily-startled gamers will have some moral support with them, but it can also add a new level of challenge to the game. While mowing down vampires, cultists, and contractors with friends on the lower difficulties can make for mindless fun, choosing thehighest difficulty mode inRedfallwillrequire co-op players to coordinate their actions more carefully lest they be wiped out by the game’s now much deadlier enemies.
Redfallis available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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