Redfallis a co-op game with an always online requirement that would lead one to believe the feature was hugely important, but it actually does a worse job at implementing it when compared to other recent co-op shooters, like Deep Silver’sDead Island 2.Unfortunately for Arkane, Bethesda, and Xbox,Redfallhas released to mostly negative reviews, with users experiencing all kinds of performance issues and other technical hiccups with the game.
Redfallhas been a source of controversy since before it even launched. The announcement thatRedfallwould only support 30 fps on Xbox consolesat launch was met with disdain and disbelief from the Xbox community, while the game’s always online requirement, despite being playable solo, has also ruffled some feathers. One would think that sinceRedfallcommitted to the always online requirement despite the backlash that would come from it that the game would offer some robust online co-op options, but it unfortunately seems like the feature was an afterthought.
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Redfallco-op is lackingfor multiple reasons. The big issue withRedfallco-op is how progression works. While co-op partners can retain character XP, weapons, and things of that nature, only the host player gets any mission progress. This seems to outright discourage people from playing co-op with their friends, as if they ever decide to play by themselves they will have to repeat all the missions they’ve already played through. It’s a baffling move, especially with the recently releasedDead Island 2showing how it’s done.
WhereasRedfallfrustratingly ties mission progression to the host player,Dead Island 2lets all co-op partners earn progress in the game regardless of who the host is. This doesn’t account for just the main story quests either.Dead Island 2side questprogression and everything else are also rewarded to co-op partners, which makes the zombie-slaying game significantly more appealing as a game to play with friends.
Compare this toRedfall’s excuse for restricting mission progress to the host player. It states that the reason why the host is the only one that retains progress is becauseRedfallhas some optional missionsas well as some missions that can be played out of order. This is also true forDead Island 2, yet it was able to implement co-op in a way where everyone is treated equally.
Another area whereRedfall’s co-op is lacking compared toDead Island 2is when it requires all players to be present to trigger the next scene. InRedfall, players have to wait patiently as their co-op partners all converge on the location, whereasDead Island 2has a simple countdown clock that pulls everyone to the correct spot when it hits zero. This method is far superior, especially sinceRedfallhas an open worldand players may wind up extremely spread out, which can result in some serious, yet completely avoidable, downtime.
FutureRedfallupdateswill hopefully bring the game to a better state, but at launch, it’s lacking in major areas, with its co-op integration being one of them. IfRedfallupdates look to improve the co-op experience, hopefully the developers take a look atDead Island 2to see how it could be done better.
Redfallis out now for PC and Xbox Series X.
