Redfall offers a compelling mix of Dishonored, Borderlands, and Buffy

Enlarge / Whoa-oh... purple is the color of my energy... (credit: Arkane / Bethesda)

When people think of the acclaimed developer Arkane Studios, stealth-action adventures like Dishonored or Deathloopprobably come to mind. These kinds of "immersive sims" are known for letting players maneuver through a "clockwork world" where characters go about their daily lives and players complete larger, open-ended objectives. So it's a bit of a surprise to see the developers shifting to a more direct kind of looting and grinding-action RPG with the horror fantasy of Redfall.

After spending time with a single-player preview build of Redfall, I could still make out some hints of Arkane's signature open-ended style amid the vampire slaying. But it's still a noticeable shift from the bleak worlds of Prey and Dishonored, with a team of charismatic vampire hunters that bring the vibe of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer to the gameplay of Borderlands.

Welcome to Redfall

The titular town of Redfall has come down with a bad case of vampires and human cultists. Together, these forces have created a supernatural eclipse that blocks out the sun, allowing the forces of the night to retain control of the town at all hours. Armed with tricked-out guns and makeshift vampire-killing weapons, your ragtag crew of supernatural experts has been sent in to retake the town while also uncovering the town's mysterious history.

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