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Deathtrap

Veterans of both PvZ and Diablo are going to find that Deathtrap handles both genres in a substantial way.
Deathtrap Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
grinding, stability
83% User Score Based on 950 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSPlaystation 4XboxWindowsPlayStation
Deathtrap Game Cover

About

Deathtrap is a single player hack and slash game with fantasy and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by NeocoreGames and was released on February 3, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Deathtrap, a tower-defense game with strong action-RPG elements, is avaialble on Steam as an Early Access Game with many exciting features you've been longing to see in this genre. Choose from three game modes (PvP, Single Player and Cooperative Campaign), create your own maps and monsters, share them with your friends and get ready for a game of vicious tricks, killing machines, rotating blad…

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83%
Audience ScoreBased on 950 reviews
gameplay40 positive mentions
grinding41 negative mentions

  • Engaging gameplay that combines tower defense mechanics with action RPG elements, allowing players to actively participate in combat while managing traps.
  • Variety of traps and character classes, each with unique skills and upgrade paths, providing depth and replayability.
  • Visually appealing graphics and a dark, immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • Limited tower placement options can restrict strategic creativity, as traps can only be built in predetermined locations.
  • Some players experience technical issues, including crashes and bugs, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game lacks a compelling storyline, making the experience feel somewhat shallow despite the engaging gameplay.
  • gameplay
    144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is a blend of action RPG and tower defense mechanics, offering engaging and addictive experiences, especially once players become familiar with the controls and character progression. However, some users noted a lack of variety in levels and mechanics, leading to potential gameplay fatigue, particularly in the absence of a cohesive storyline. While the core mechanics are generally well-received, issues such as bugs and limited choices in tower placement can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Engaging gameplay that equally mixes ARPG with tower defense, and introduces new content/features regularly to keep interest high.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is also no kind of storyline to bind these levels together, so gameplay fatigue can hit in if you are absolutely not having a blast with the gameplay.”
    • “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.”
  • story
    125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it fails to provide a cohesive narrative to connect the gameplay levels. While there are some elements loosely tied to the Van Helsing canon, the overall plot is described as shallow and forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop for the action rather than a compelling storyline. Players seeking a rich narrative experience may find the game's focus on gameplay mechanics and replayability unsatisfying.

    • “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.”
    • “The campaign fits with what backstory there is and the overall atmosphere does have an appeal.”
    • “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.”
    • “From the get-go, you’ll realize story and lore are Deathtrap’s least concern: playing as an anonymous guardian without any backstory, you’ll be thrown into the ink (an alternate dimension) to man a series of ancient fortifications and repel the hordes of monsters that threaten to break into the realm of humans.”
    • “The campaign is fairly short; there isn't really a story, you just play a game on all the maps.”
  • graphics
    117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally described as decent, with a unique grimdark aesthetic that appeals to fans of the genre, though they show signs of aging and could benefit from optimization and updates. While some players appreciate the artistic style and smooth animations, others note issues with performance, graphical glitches, and a lack of vibrancy in color. Overall, the visuals are considered good for a tower defense game, but they may not meet the expectations of players looking for modern graphics.

    • “The graphics are great, the sounds/music are great, the UI is great, and most importantly, the gameplay is great!”
    • “I have played tower defense games for years and never have I come across a game this polished, diverse, with fantastic graphics, replayability, and variation.”
    • “Wow, and I think this game is going to & should be just as great as those if not better, what I love about this game (and all from Neocore), is the easy to pick up gameplay, graphics are brilliant, and has loads of gameplay.”
    • “Whatever graphic settings you choose, this game is just an FPS nightmare.”
    • “I disliked the graphics because the colors are all too grey, making it hard to distinguish enemies and attacks (e.g., electrical attacks are hardly visible sparks).”
    • “Ugly outdated graphics, bad controls... couldn't go beyond the tutorial.”
  • replayability
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, with diverse gameplay options including multiple difficulty tiers, character classes, and game modes such as endless and custom scenarios. Players appreciate the depth provided by RPG elements, user-generated content, and a loot system that encourages repeated playthroughs. Overall, the combination of cooperative multiplayer and various challenges significantly enhances the game's replay value.

    • “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.”
    • “This game combines Diablo with tower defense in an incredibly fun and replayable way!”
    • “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.”
    • “Don't buy if you want to play co-op - and apparently people are getting crashing on endless mode in single player - so don't hope for replayability either.”
    • “The campaign is rather short - 13 maps doable in under 10 hours - however there is a lot of replayability.”
  • grinding
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find it tedious and repetitive, likening it to a high-budget mobile game, others appreciate the variety of modes and the challenge it provides, noting that grinding can be enjoyable for those who like character progression and loot farming. Overall, the game features significant grinding for upgrades and items, which may deter some players but is seen as a core part of the experience by others.

    • “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.”
    • “I have not encountered any bugs, but personally this game is not really for me and it is already starting to feel tedious. Knowing you have to keep going back to the previous maps on higher difficulties makes it feel like a high-budget mobile game.”
    • “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.”
    • “If it weren't for the grinding, I would give this game a 7.5/10, but with the in-built grinding, I give this game a 4/10.”
  • music
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its gothic influence and memorable battle themes that enhance the atmosphere. However, some players note that the soundtrack is limited and can become repetitive, particularly in the main hub. Overall, while the music complements the gameplay effectively, it may not stand out enough for those seeking a more immersive auditory experience.

    • “The gothic influence is evident and suitable for this setting, while the music and color palettes complement it well.”
    • “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 has the same sort of Eastern European feel that fits with the visual aesthetic of the game.”
    • “The music gets pretty repetitive.”
    • “Generic 'fantasy setting' music.”
    • “The bad: one game crash (probably my fault), music can get annoying.”
  • stability
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users experienced minimal issues during extensive gameplay, others found the game nearly unplayable due to persistent glitches and unresponsive inputs. Overall, the stability concerns significantly detract from the experience, making it difficult to recommend without caution.

    • “There has been no glitches, lag, or any issues of locking or crashing of any kind in over 16 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Already runs great in early access!”
    • “Summary - the game runs smooth, no glitches, no bugs, and no crashes on my Windows 7 system.”
    • “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. You click on the mini-map and the game stops responding to inputs, but is still running. 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.”
    • “There are occasional freezes and crashes (about once every 5 hours) and some bugs, such as the non-working borderless window mode, remain unfixed for years.”
  • optimization
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 action. Despite some users noting that it runs well on certain systems, the overall consensus is that the graphics engine is poorly optimized, leading to unplayable performance on various setups. Frequent bugs and compatibility issues further exacerbate the experience, leaving players frustrated with the game's technical shortcomings.

    • “At the end of each level, depending on your performance and selected difficulty, you’ll get one or more chests containing random items and gold to equip your character with, divided into rarity levels (uncommon, epic, etc. up to godlike).”
    • “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.”
    • “While the graphics could use some optimization, it is overall pretty cool looking.”
    • “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.”
    • “This game appears to have quite a few issues as well: there are noticeable slowdowns when a lot of monsters appear at the same time on the screen, the sound keeps crackling for no apparent reason, there are typos even in the options menu, there is quite a lot of stuttering when you use your skills on a lot of foes simultaneously and then there are crashes to desktop, one of which managed to crash my PC for the first time in 9 months... which is kinda scary.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it funny and suitable for team play, particularly through amusing strategies and traps. However, some critiques highlight a lack of charm in the plot and characters, as well as disappointing voice acting that undermines the comedic attempts. Overall, while the humor is a strong point for many, it is not universally appreciated.

    • “This game is really funny and very suitable for team playing or bonding activities.”
    • “Well, I'm forced to ask for a refund because I cannot play (well, I can play if I make the game sound effects myself: plaf!, splash!, bang!, pow! chew chew! very funny, uh?)”
    • “I bought the game yesterday (4th of Feb.) 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.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of gothic and cyberpunk elements, complemented by engaging music and art design. While many players appreciate the immersive environment and its alignment with the game's backstory, there are mixed opinions on the graphical quality, which can vary significantly. Overall, the atmosphere contributes positively to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “Love the music, atmospherics, game progression, and fun factor.”
    • “It has a mixture of gothic/cyberpunk atmosphere which is awesome.”
    • “The campaign fits with what backstory there is and the overall atmosphere does have an appeal.”
    • “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.”
    • “Buying it, I liked the way that the game feels and the atmosphere that the game has.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, which some players view as a refreshing change from other mobile tower defense games that often rely on aggressive monetization strategies. While some critics interpret the absence of in-game purchases as a missed opportunity for revenue, many players appreciate the straightforward gameplay without the pressure to spend money.

    • “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.”
    • “Some people seem to have taken that as laziness or a cash grab for some reason; I think it was a good idea.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is described as a blend of skill allocation and class-based progression, offering a balanced experience similar to other action RPGs. While some reviews note a lack of depth in narrative and character growth, others appreciate the smooth controls and the integration of skills with gameplay mechanics. Overall, character development is functional and complements the game's tower defense elements, though it may not be the primary focus for all players.

    • “It seems to have a good balance of skills and character development.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is often perceived negatively, with users expressing feelings of disgust and aversion, likening it to the unpleasant experience of encountering something repulsive.

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18h Median play time
19h Average play time
7-24h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Deathtrap is a hack and slash game with fantasy and dark fantasy themes.

Deathtrap is available on PC, Mac OS, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 19 hours playing Deathtrap.

Deathtrap was released on February 3, 2015.

Deathtrap was developed by NeocoreGames.

Deathtrap has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Deathtrap is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, Victor Vran, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II, Warstone TD, Grim Dawn and others.