The lead-up toRedfall’s release has seen a regular stream of updates and information coming from developer Arkane Austin to clarify the game’s systems and what fans can expect come launch. With four playable characters available to complete the game with, each with their own unique skill trees and loadout,Redfallis offering plenty of variety to those that are planning on investing time with the vampire-themed looter-shooter. One of the pieces of information from Arkane regarding character progression has confirmed that players cannot respec a character’s skill tree, which is counter to what many have come to expect based on how other looters handle the player’s choice in shaping their characters.
As two of the most popular games in the “looter” ARPG subgenre, theBorderlandsandDiablofranchises allow a respec of characters mid-game to reverse any choices made that unintentionally handicap a character’s viability in later game challenges. The confirmation thatRedfallwill not allow respecsof characters comes as another blow to the game’s character progression systems alongside the announcement that co-op campaign progression is tied to the party and not individual players. By not taking a page fromBorderlands' andDiablo’s character customization,Redfallmay be limiting its long-term success.
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Redfall’s Lack of Character Respec Deters Player Experimentation
When playing an action RPG, the initial selection of character or class can be a difficult decision based on not being fully aware of which is best suited to the game’s challenges. By allowing players to respec their character mid-game or making classes fluid, developers encourage experimentation that invariably leads to players spending more time with their game. Providing options for class and character selection suggests that each has differing levels of viability, with one example beingBorderlands 3having classes suited for solo playthat may be opposite what a player might choose as part of a co-op party.
Redfall’s choice to not allow a respec of character progression locks in player choice in a way that might hinder success in the later game or even make endgame challenges impossible for solo players. With players knowing their choices are set in stone and incapable of being reset later on, there’s no reason to experiment with different skills or adapt to a non-traditional play style to experiment with the game’s systems - something thatpast Arkane gamesheavily encouraged. BothBorderlandsandDiabloallow players to customize their build based on learning and adapting to each game’s mechanics, andRedfallwould benefit from patching in a respec option to provide the same freedom to players.
To Compete with Diablo 4, Redfall May Need to Borrow Some of its Features
The lack of freedom and experimentation inRedfall’s character progressionis in stark contrast with what players have seen so far inDiablo 4. Both of the beta periods for the game solidified the same level of build variety and character customization that fans have come to expect from the flagship looter. Since theDiabloseries' origins, co-op play has been a cornerstone of the franchise, andDiablo 4looks to still embrace the cooperative spirit even with its transition to a live-service game. Allowing players the ability to respec character progression at any point as well as encouraging class experimentation establishes confidence inDiablo 4’s balancing that might raise valid concerns aboutRedfallgiven these features' absence.
Redfall’s locking of players into their character progression path, as well as not sharing campaign progress between solo and co-op play, limits the ability for it to receive a favorable comparison to what is arguably the highest-profile looter in 2023. In the hopes that Arkane Austin will see their next game achieve the same level of success and acclaim as their work onPreyandDishonored, following the established genre tenets from great looters likeDiabloandBorderlandscould go a long way toward swaying those that have been on the fence after learning aboutRedfall’s atypical approach to live-servicelooter-shooting.
Redfallis available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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