Redfall, Arkane Studios' upcoming cooperative FPS, is one of the most anticipated games of 2023 and is slated to release on May 2, 2023. Widely recognized as the spiritual successor to the developer's previous titles, Dishonored and Deathloop, Redfall takes players to the vampire-ridden town of Redfall, Massachusetts, where they must utilize a variety of tools and abilities to cull a vampire outbreak of apocalyptic proportions.
Early hands-on previews of Redfall went live as of March 22, 2023 (including a preview by CBR's Brandon Zachary), with the vast majority of them expressing an overall positive experience with the upcoming FPS title. Aside from plenty of details about its gothic setting, open-world quest structure, and explorable map, many of the previews offered insight into the game's four playable characters, who each come with abilities and weapons that complement various playstyles. Here is every playable character in Redfall, their unique abilities, and how they differ in terms of gameplay.
Jacob Boyer Is Redfall's Stealth Specialist
As both Deathloop and Dishonored utilized stealth mechanics to give players an edge in combat, an Arkane game just wouldn't be the same without it. Thankfully, Redfall's stealth gameplay is realized in Jacob Boyer, an ex-military sniper who uses his raven companion to seek out and destroy unaware enemies. His sniper rifle also makes him highly effective from long-range, unlike the game's other characters.
Jacob conjures Assassin's Creed vibes with his raven companion, who can be used for recon to mark enemies from a distance -- even those behind walls. He has a cloaking device that, when upgraded, grants invisibility to him and his team for a period of time. His ultimate attack, Heartstopper, causes his sniper rifle to snap to the nearest vampire's head while aiming down sights. Although the stealth gameplay of Redfall is a slight deviation from the formula of Arkane's past titles, players desiring to catch their enemies by surprise will no doubt enjoy playing as Jacob.
Devinder Crousley's Gadgets Give Players the Upper Hand
Redfall's tech specialist is Devinder "Dev" Crousley, a mocked cryptozoologist who finds himself in the town of Redfall during the vampire outbreak and must now use his knowledge and inventions to fend off foes. Dev uses special gadgets and traps to both weaken and stun his enemies, making his class one that is largely built around strategy and survivability.
One of Dev's gadgets, his Translocator, will feel familiar to fans of Dishonored's Blink ability, as it allows him to teleport to wherever the device is thrown. This useful invention can get him behind guards for takedowns, into out-of-reach places, and around the world at a much quicker pace. His Arc Javelin skill is an electric area of effect attack that deals damage over time via a thrown javelin. Finally, Dev's ultimate attack, Blacklight, emits a bright UV light that stuns and petrifies vampires within a 360-degree radius around him, giving him enough time to either finish them off or flee.
Layla Ellison Uses Telekinesis to Outmaneuver Foes
Redfall's "supernatural" class is realized in Layla Ellison, a biomedical researcher from Wisconsin who acquired telekinetic abilities after an accident following a medical trial at Aevum Therapeutics. Layla's telekinetic powers are reminiscent of Dishonored's supernatural skills, and she can use them to enhance both her defense and maneuverability in combat.
One of Layla's primary attacks is her telekinetic umbrella -- a shield that can not only block bullets but can also send them flying back at her enemies. Her abilities also allow her to summon movement-oriented objects, like a lift that provides a jumping boost for her and her teammates. This can be useful for more than just getting around, however, as she can use the lift to both evade enemies and perform aerial attacks to surprise them. Her ultimate attack is one of the most unique of Redfall's four playable characters in that it summons her vampire ex-boyfriend to assist her in combat. Though he's only made temporarily available when the skill is used, it will likely help many solo players survive during the game's most challenging encounters.
Remi de la Rosa Has a Helpful Robot Companion
Redfall's companion class character is Remi de la Rosa, an elite Navy combat engineer who is as skilled and experienced in warfare as they come. Now, finding herself in the middle of a vampire apocalypse, that experience is put to the test, and she must use her robotic companion and support skills to rescue the remaining survivors of Redfall.
The highlight of Remi's gameplay is her robot companion, Bribón, which comes with its own attacks and health bar. Bribón can set off a siren that alerts and distracts nearby enemies, which in turn grants Remi a damage bonus to those enemies while they remain distracted. Her C4 charge can be detonated remotely to deal a massive amount of area of effect damage to surrounding vampires, making it highly effective when used as a trap. Her ultimate ability, Mobilize, drops a beacon that will heal Remi and her teammates as long as they are within its radius. Although she is clearly a support class intended for cooperative play, Remi can still hold her own with C4 in her pocket and Bribón at her side.