Deathtrap

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,219 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Deathtrap Game Cover
Deathtrap is a fun co-op game, but fails to deliver in single player. Some skill and trap options are less than amazing, but overall they do pretty good. Gamepad support has some problems, but mouse and keyboard users shouldn't have any issues. Give it a try if you like playing with other people.
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"Deathtrap is a role-playing Tower Defense game with action-RPG elements, known for its unique mixture of both genres. Play solo or in co-op mode to defend strongholds and defeat hordes of monsters using deadly traps and spells. Despite some optimization issues and bugs, Deathtrap offers a good story, delightful mechanics, wonderful visuals, excellent music, and high replayability."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,219 reviews
gameplay74 positive mentions
grinding51 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay that combines tower defense mechanics with action RPG elements, providing a unique experience.
  • Variety of traps and character classes allows for diverse strategies and playstyles.
  • Challenging difficulty levels and replayability through multiple tiers and scenarios keep the game interesting.
  • Limited tower placement options can restrict strategic creativity and make gameplay feel scripted.
  • Some technical issues and bugs, including crashes and performance problems, particularly for AMD users.
  • The game lacks a compelling story and character development, making it feel shallow at times.
  • gameplay214 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a unique blend of tower defense and action RPG mechanics, offering a mix of strategic trap placement and character progression that can be both engaging and challenging. While many players appreciate the depth and fun of the mechanics, some criticize the limited choices and repetitive nature of the gameplay, particularly in higher difficulties. Overall, the game provides a satisfying experience for fans of both genres, though it may suffer from bugs and a lack of narrative cohesion.

    • “Outstanding gameplay - just perfect and extremely fun, sound and music - just fantastic, graphics - looks pretty cool (for 2015).”
    • “The gameplay is so satisfying, the music slaps and the progression is smooth.”
    • “Deathtrap combines the elements of tower defense and RPGs, making gameplay utterly unique.”
    • “You cannot choose tower placement and shape monsters' paths; there is no RNG element in the campaign, and mechanics are very limited, as well as character building.”
    • “The game is so shallow that the gameplay itself isn't enough to keep it afloat.”
    • “If it weren't for the constant crashes and bugs, this would probably be my favorite tower defense game to date, but unfortunately, it's become unplayable due to the game constantly bugging out.”
  • graphics173 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are decent and have a charming, nostalgic quality reminiscent of older titles, they also feel dated and could benefit from optimization. Some users appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric visuals, while others express disappointment over performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered satisfactory for a tower defense game, but there is a consensus that a graphical update would enhance the experience significantly.

    • “Even if its visuals aged with the passing of time, Deathtrap still looks pretty good.”
    • “The graphics are great; once I got my 970 and turned everything to max, it looked even better, and the game runs well.”
    • “Deathtrap has solid visuals; you can zoom in pretty close to the action and it still looks crisp and moody.”
    • “Even at the lowest graphic settings, the games will take all the resources even a powerhouse of a computer can give it and still ask for more.”
    • “A little disappointed to see my laptop's GTX 1080 dropping FPS with graphics settings on very low... I played other more recent games in ultra without any FPS drop.”
    • “Ugly outdated graphics, bad controls... couldn't go beyond the tutorial.”
  • story154 mentions

    The story in "Deathtrap" is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, with many reviewers noting that it lacks a cohesive narrative to engage players beyond the basic premise of defending against waves of enemies. While there are some elements tied to the Van Helsing universe and a few side quests, the overall plot is described as shallow, with most of the focus placed on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling. Players seeking a rich narrative experience may find the game lacking, as it prioritizes action and replayability over a compelling storyline.

    • “A surprisingly good game, Deathtrap's story isn't going to rock your world, but the gritty environments, wretched creatures, and explosions definitely will.”
    • “What I like: the steampunk/fantasy/eastern European mythology elements of the storyline are absolutely unique and engrossing.”
    • “There's 13 'campaign' maps that form the core storyline, with three difficulty levels, most of them also containing a side-quest to go for during the chaos, then four 'tiers' that unlock as you complete the story.”
    • “There is supposed to be some kind of story which is loosely connected to Van Helsing's canon due to recycled enemies and the ink, but it doesn’t offer a storyline per se.”
    • “Given the grim setting, it's shocking there is almost no story in here; our character might say something here and there, but it just feels like doing the same few levels for an arcade vibe with only implied stakes, making everything feel shallow and fails to captivate.”
    • “The campaign fits with what backstory there is, and the overall atmosphere does have an appeal, but there's really no story.”
  • replayability61 mentions

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, with players praising its diverse gameplay options, including multiple character classes, difficulty tiers, and various game modes such as endless and custom scenarios. The inclusion of community-made content and a robust loot and leveling system further enhances its replay value, making it a favorite among tower defense enthusiasts. Overall, players find that the game's depth and variety provide countless opportunities for replay, ensuring long-term engagement.

    • “Deathtrap is an amazing and diverse game with a lot of replayability and is most fun with 2 friends.”
    • “Very replayable: after you've finished all levels on either difficulty, you can start with other tiers, that will randomize the playthrough of each level, creating a whole new way to play it.”
    • “The loot and leveling up system is rewarding enough, and having played through the solo campaign once, I am pleasantly surprised to find myself wanting to keep playing the new challenges, so this replay value is something not all tower defense games have.”
    • “The campaign is rather short - 13 maps doable in under 10 hours - however there is a lot of replayability.”
    • “Overall though it's a fun game to play through with some friends, it doesn't have much replayability so I'd recommend picking it up on a sale.”
    • “Predefined tower spots are hindering the replayability, and hero skills are pretty boring.”
  • grinding53 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while many players find it enjoyable and rewarding, allowing for character and gear progression, others feel it can become tedious and repetitive over time. Some features, like time manipulation and custom difficulty modes, help alleviate the grind, but the reliance on RNG for item drops and the need for extensive farming can frustrate those who prefer a more streamlined experience. Overall, the game caters to players who appreciate grinding as part of the gameplay loop, particularly in the context of tower defense and RPG mechanics.

    • “In order to make it not tedious, you can speed up time in increments, making enemies walk faster, slower, or pause.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The main problem with this is that even at max level there is no consistent way of gaining materials quickly, so you have quite a bit of grinding to do.”
    • “All the good gear you would want to use is like 20 hours worth of grinding.”
  • music51 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its outstanding quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While the soundtrack is described as epic and atmospheric, some users noted that it can become repetitive, particularly with limited tracks for different scenarios. Overall, the music complements the game's gothic aesthetic and adds to the immersive atmosphere, though a desire for more variety in the soundtrack was expressed by several reviewers.

    • “The gothic influence is evident and suitable for this setting, while the music and color palettes complement it well.”
    • “The music is outstanding, the game mechanics (play as a sorceress!) are fantastic.”
    • “The voiceovers have emotion, the music is catchy and really presents a feeling of urgency to the battle ahead, and the battlefields feel like blighted woods, ancient ruins, and hidden machinations of lost technology.”
    • “The music gets pretty repetitive.”
    • “The bad: one game crash (probably my fault), music can get annoying.”
    • “If I had to say anything more, I'd like there to be something that would make the game a little bit exciting; I mean everything is fun and all but it's also a little bit bland too, maybe more intense music, or environmental effects and whatnot like birds or interactable objects, something happening that would make the map more living, maybe weather and/or catastrophic effects?”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly in co-op mode, which can render it nearly unplayable. While some users have experienced minimal issues and found the gameplay enjoyable, the overall consensus highlights significant stability problems that detract from the experience, especially during multiplayer sessions. Despite a few players noting a lack of glitches, the majority express frustration over the game's unreliability and unresolved technical issues.

    • “There has been no glitches, lag, or any issues of locking or crashing of any kind in over 16 hours of gameplay.”
    • “I am currently loving it and finding it wonderfully bug free.”
    • “Summary - the game runs smooth, no glitches, no bugs, and no crashes on my Windows 7 system.”
    • “Also it can be a bit buggy, many achievements don’t work, internet connection can be sloppy and a last enemy in a wave can stop spawning.”
    • “If it weren't for the constant crashes and bugs, this would probably be my favorite tower defense game to date, but unfortunately it's become unplayable due to the game constantly bugging out... it constantly freezes or crashes during loading or just straight up crashes during gameplay or worse after a level has been painstakingly completed on hard (resulting in quite a bit of time lost on later levels).”
    • “The game constantly crashes, fails to start, or freezes every chance it gets.”
  • optimization31 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe frame rate drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly in high-density areas or during intense gameplay. While some users noted smooth performance on higher-end systems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for many, especially those with mid-range or older hardware. Despite its fun gameplay, the optimization issues detract from the overall enjoyment and accessibility of the game.

    • “In conclusion, this game is fun but it needs to be re-balanced and optimized; there's no reason for graphics this basic. My 2070 Super should be maxing out at a resolution of 2160 x 1440.”
    • “It suffers a bit from some performance issues; it is locked to 60fps and in high-density areas it can struggle pretty hard, but that is my only real complaint.”
    • “Featuring myriads of traps, different player characters, good performance, nice visuals, and lots of levels, this is any RPG tower defense gamer's dream come true.”
    • “Unoptimized game with unplayable frame rate drops.”
    • “The game itself is actually pretty good, but oh my god... it's so badly optimized, so make sure your PC is up for the task.”
    • “Very rare I write a review, let alone a negative one - but frequent crashes and abysmal performance on the OS X 'port' left a bad taste in my mouth.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of steampunk, gothic, and cyberpunk elements, creating an engaging and immersive experience. Players appreciate the strong visual and audio design, which enhances the overall mood and complements the gameplay mechanics. However, there are some inconsistencies in graphic quality that may detract from the experience at times.

    • “But this game has its own spirit and addictive atmosphere, and I really love it!”
    • “The dark and gloomy atmosphere fits well in the Hellsing universe, and meshes well with the monsters and maps.”
    • “It has a mixture of gothic/cyberpunk atmosphere which is awesome.”
    • “I think the biggest confusion is the sense of atmosphere.”
    • “The campaign fits with what backstory there is and the overall atmosphere does have an appeal.”
    • “If you were to mash up tower defense with Diablo atmosphere and ARPG mechanics, this is what you would get.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its comedic elements and funny character designs, particularly the sorceress. Many find the gameplay amusing, especially in team settings, despite occasional frustrations, such as losing progress. The presence of humorous traps and the developers' playful approach to pricing also contribute to the game's lighthearted atmosphere.

    • “This game is really funny and very suitable for team playing or bonding activities.”
    • “This game makes my stomach hurt; every time I get to the final wave and lose and gain 0 XP for the last 30 minutes of play, I can feel the devs laughing at me.”
    • “I bought the game yesterday for full price, and today I saw it was 10% off and was quite annoyed - but NeocoreGames has a funny sense of humor with liking to screw me over with discounts right after I've bought their games - but even that doesn't annoy me now that I've played some more.”
  • character development7 mentions

    The character development in this game is notably more in-depth compared to similar titles, featuring talent trees for both traps and characters, as well as a balanced system of skills and crafting. Players can invest skill points into class abilities, enhancing the RPG elements within the tower defense framework. While some reviews mention a lack of plot, the focus on character progression and customization is highlighted as a significant strength.

    • “Similar to games like Sanctum, but with a more in-depth character development aspect that includes talent trees for both traps and your character, crafting, equipping, shopping, co-op, and more.”
    • “Smooth and accurate controls - beautiful presentation - character development depth - balanced gameplay between the need for towers, traps, and avatar skills/experience.”
    • “Not much character development or plot, but that is not important in this game.”
    • “The character development is fairly similar to Van Helsing; you get three skill points per level to spend on class skills.”
    • “It's a mixture of an action RPG with classes, monsters, character development, equipment, and all the usual traits of one, fused together with a tower defense game that doesn't even have 'towers' as its most noticeable feature.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it features no microtransactions, which some players appreciate as a refreshing change from the typical cash-grab model seen in many mobile tower defense games. However, there are mixed feelings, with some players interpreting the absence of monetization options as a lack of ambition or effort. Overall, the game is seen as a fair experience without the pressure of in-game purchases.

    • “If this game has microtransactions, I haven't seen any yet.”
    • “Oh, and absolutely zero microtransactions.”
    • “So I've played a lot of tower defense games, and some of the ones on mobile devices start off really fun and then start trying to steal your money with stupid microtransactions.”
    • “This game is basically one of those games, without the microtransactions.”
    • “Based on my many years of playing various tower defense games, here's my judgment:”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful, evoking strong feelings that resonate with players, despite some contrasting imagery. Overall, it is recommended as a heartfelt experience worth exploring, particularly through platforms like Humble Bundle.

    • “Heartfelt 8/10. Grab this on the Humble Bundle staff picks; you definitely won't regret it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Deathtrap

Play time

16hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
6-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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