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[REDACTED]

A fairly standard roguelike, [REDACTED] is nevertheless a fun, if brief, return to Black Iron Prison. Just with a much more colourful, flashy aesthetic!
[REDACTED] Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, character development
86% User Score Based on 246 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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[REDACTED] Game Cover

About

[REDACTED] is a single player role playing shooter game. It was developed by Striking Distance Studios and was released on October 27, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In [REDACTED], a fast-action isometric roguelike, a shadowy agent watches Black Iron Prison spiral into chaos. As one of the last guards, fight through monsters, rivals, and reanimated corpses of your fellow guards to escape the penitentiary alive.

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86%
Audience ScoreBased on 246 reviews
gameplay25 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced and satisfying combat with a unique rival system that adds a competitive edge to each run.
  • Visually striking with a vibrant comic book art style and a fun soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Offers a variety of weapons and upgrades, providing a sense of progression and replayability.
  • The game suffers from significant grind and a lack of meaningful progression, making it feel repetitive over time.
  • Technical issues such as bugs and crashes can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress.
  • Melee combat feels underwhelming compared to ranged options, leading to a reliance on guns for effective combat.
  • gameplay
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, dynamic mechanics that blend shooting and melee combat, reminiscent of titles like Hades, with a unique "rivals" system that adds competitive depth. While many players appreciate the variety of weapons and satisfying combat loop, some criticize certain mechanics as underwhelming or poorly introduced, leading to mixed feelings about overall replayability and polish. Despite these concerns, the core gameplay is generally regarded as enjoyable and addictive, making it appealing to fans of the roguelite genre.

    • “Gameplay is fast and reactive; shooting, slashing, kicking, and sliding all feel dynamic and satisfying.”
    • “A surprisingly fun and fast roguelike with a satisfying amount of weapons to unlock, builds to try, and gameplay that relies more on skill expression than getting exactly the right RNG options.”
    • “The core gameplay is fantastic, but the meat around that needs work.”
    • “I love to take my time in those games, so my first real complaint was from the fact that one of the main mechanics forces you to go as fast as possible or you literally lose the game (even if you're full HP and never made any mistakes).”
    • “The UI is all over the place; both the standard and alternative control schemes feel awkward, keyboard and mouse gameplay is unpolished, the music is generic, and the subtitles are unnecessarily intrusive.”
    • “Really, I think the core problem is that all of the gameplay elements are bog-standard genre affectations without any real unique spark to them.”
  • graphics
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, comic book-inspired art style, which combines flashy effects and a unique aesthetic reminiscent of 90s punk rock and sci-fi elements. Players appreciate the polished visuals, smooth gameplay, and engaging character designs, although some find the art style polarizing. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment, enhancing the overall experience with their creativity and humor.

    • “The graphics are beautiful to look at, like a comic book kind of style.”
    • “Second, despite this being a smaller, less triple-A endeavor, the graphics here are absolutely stunning. They move fast, the particle effects are really cool looking, and there are a lengthy list of stylistic touches that I've never seen in a game before...it's probably the closest to playing a comic book.”
    • “The art style is so fun with a professional and polished finish.”
    • “If I wanted to play a less-stable version of Hades with shallower mechanics and worse aesthetics, I would just, um... not do that.”
    • “I also hate the art style for the same reasons I listed above.”
    • “Graphics look [spoiler]redacted[/spoiler] come on.”
  • music
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and enjoyable soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly in action sequences. However, some critics find it generic or repetitive, suggesting it may not stand out outside the game context. Overall, the combination of unique art style and dynamic music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some contrasting opinions on its quality.

    • “Fortunately, the voice acting, music, and sound design are well done and help to build the atmosphere.”
    • “The music and art style on this one are also top quality.”
    • “Absolute banger of a soundtrack, they did not need to let Mark cook that much!”
    • “The UI is all over the place, both the standard and alternative control schemes feel awkward, keyboard and mouse gameplay is unpolished, the music is generic, and the subtitles are unnecessarily intrusive...”
    • “- the music sucks.”
    • “Soundtrack is ok, a bit repetitive and synthetic.”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty dialogue, quirky NPCs, and meta-commentary that adds charm to the experience. While some found the humor engaging and funny, others criticized it for being repetitive or poorly timed, particularly during intense gameplay moments. Overall, the game features a blend of cartoonish humor reminiscent of titles like Borderlands, but its comedic elements may not resonate with everyone and could feel dated over time.

    • “Absolutely hilarious 'meta-commentary', brilliant graphics, and really smooth gameplay loop.”
    • “On top of that, add beautiful comic book aesthetics mixed with a 90s MTV kind of punk rock cyber reality show vibe, quirky NPCs armed with meta humor.”
    • “Fun combat and hilarious dialogue, but has a difficult learning curve.”
    • “As annoying as it was to hear the voice of a mysterious observer mocking me with unfunny quips for getting hit or dying, the fact that he slowly changes his tune as the run progresses and he gains some confidence in you is actually pretty cool.”
    • “Not playing a game like this for the story anyway--but it does take away from the fun when you're metaphorically jabbed in the ribs every two seconds by someone telling an unfunny joke.”
  • story
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally considered minimal and not a primary focus, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and character development compared to titles like Hades. While some appreciate the intriguing premise of a guard controlled by a mysterious voice, others criticize the writing and dialogue as weak and unengaging. Overall, the narrative serves more as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a driving force, appealing primarily to those who prioritize action over storytelling.

    • “Even story-wise, the gameplay loop is surprisingly fun; taking control of a random guard who tries to save his life while being puppeteered by a mysterious voice is really cool.”
    • “The story of the game and the true ending is very nerve-wracking.”
    • “Great tie-in story to Callisto Protocol with a focus on challenging action gameplay and roguelike mechanics as opposed to survival horror.”
    • “Even when you start unlocking more story and upgrades, the structure barely changes.”
    • “The character development and story aren't near the same level as Hades, but it's clear that was no accident.”
    • “Very little storytelling; if that's what you dig about Hades, it's not for you. The gameplay is the core of this one, with everything else sprinkled on top.”
  • grinding
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many reviewers noting that progression is overly reliant on tedious grinding for upgrades and resources, leading to a repetitive experience. While the combat can be enjoyable, the lack of variety and the punishing nature of the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it more suitable for roguelite veterans who can tolerate such mechanics. Overall, players may find the grind to be more punishing than rewarding, especially compared to other titles in the genre like Hades.

    • “Progression relies heavily on grinding.”
    • “But be prepared for a tedious loop with minimal variety, a reliance on luck, and a payoff that feels more punishing than rewarding.”
    • “You will eventually power through by grinding hours upon hours of piecemeal upgrades that eventually makes you strong, but you don't feel improvement as a player in terms of skill or boon planning.”
  • replayability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the variety of builds, weapons, and meta progression that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users express concerns about potential burnout and suggest that additional boss options could enhance the replay value. Despite these criticisms, the general consensus is that the game offers a satisfying and engaging experience that invites players to return.

    • “The game has very satisfying meta progression, and a good variety of weapons/upgrades that help to keep replayability high.”
    • “Loving this game so far, it's got so much personality and is very replayable.”
    • “The game offers many cool ideas and mechanics that would make it stand out from other action roguelites, but the replayability factor is not there, unfortunately. I haven't played 10 hours and I'm already burnt out.”
    • “Different boss options would help replayability.”
    • “Haven't beaten a run yet (��4 hours in at this point) but I could see 20+ hours of replayability between trying all builds and getting to the end and beating all rivals.”
  • optimization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, with users reporting smooth performance, no crashes, and minimal bugs. While some players noted potential issues with controls, the general consensus highlights the game's impressive stability and polish, especially for a title built on Unreal Engine.

    • “The game appears to be well optimized as well, no crashes, etc.”
    • “I'm surprised how well optimized it is for a UE game.”
    • “Smooth optimization; the polish is S-tier. I never had a crash, bug, or frame dip. The devs alone should be praised for that in this day and age.”
    • “Maybe [redacted] is not optimized for keyboard and mouse, or perhaps I suck at roguelikes, but I am not having a great time playing this game.”
    • “Performance is [spoiler]redacted[/spoiler] are you kidding me”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in this game is considered weaker compared to titles like Hades, with criticism directed at the writing and the semi-narrative role of a shadowy figure. While the characters possess decent charm and design, the overall storytelling is not a focal point, allowing players to overlook dialogue if desired.

    • “The other characters are decently charming and actually have pretty good character design to them as well.”
    • “The character development and story aren't near the same level as Hades, but it's clear that was no accident.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack the depth needed to make their journeys engaging.”
    • “I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the game generally runs smoothly and is visually impressive, some users have experienced occasional freezes that result in lost progress, indicating a need for improved stability.

    • “And it looks epic and runs great!”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “The game freezes for the first time since I started playing, and I lose all my progression.”
    • “I frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues make it nearly impossible to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by high-quality voice acting, music, and sound design, which collectively contribute to an immersive experience.

    • “The voice acting, music, and sound design are well done and help to build the atmosphere.”
    • “The game's environment is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
    • “Every detail, from the lighting to the ambient sounds, contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game initially raised concerns of being a cash grab; however, players found the experience enjoyable and engaging, suggesting that the game offers good value despite initial expectations.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel more like a money-making scheme than a game.”
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73%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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5-22h Spent by most gamers
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Frequently Asked Questions

[REDACTED] is a role playing shooter game.

[REDACTED] is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 12 hours playing [REDACTED].

[REDACTED] was released on October 27, 2024.

[REDACTED] was developed by Striking Distance Studios.

[REDACTED] 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.

[REDACTED] is a single player game.

Similar games include Have a Nice Death, SWORN, Rogue Legacy 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, ScourgeBringer and others.