Arkane Austin’s Redfall presents another take on the multiplayer action-shooter trend, which is a decidedly new approach for Arkane. The stylistic developer is typically known for its unique FPS action with left-handed abilities married to right-handed gunplay. Redfall divides its mechanics between four playable protagonists: Devinder, Layla, Remi, and Jacob. This seems to be where all the attention is centered in Redfall’s marketing, but the game should learn from how endings were treated in Arkane Lyon’s Deathloop.
Four-player PvE co-op brings with it particular expectations, as well as comparisons to games such as Left 4 Dead. However, if Redfall can maintain its core Arkane DNA, it will provide an exciting narrative- and character-driven experience. The game does not have a confirmed release date yet, but it is also interesting to consider whether Arkane hopes to make Redfall a multiplayer shooter with sequel or franchise potential.
Deathloop Seemingly Closes the Book on Colt and Julianna
Deathloop's multiple endings are definitive and seem not to allude to any sequel potential. Deathloop’s Julianna being able to invade other peoples’ playthroughs is a novel way to add an online element, but it is chiefly a single-player experience with scripted narrative paths. While Deathloop might be the end of Colt and Julianna’s particular narrative, it is not impractical to think that a sequel could be made in the same world.
That said, Arkane may have wanted Deathloop to be its own singular installment. Especially when it is not clear which ending is considered canon, those endings are left to interpretation. Throughout Deathloop’s three endings, only one breaks the loop. Moreover, with Deathloop’s Goldenloop ending extension, it seems the ending where the loop is broken is intended to be canon. This would guarantee that a sequel is forfeit, since Deathloop’s entire premise would be spent.
This could have been intentionally designed to structure the narrative around a singular game with no franchise potential, making a unique, definitive installment before moving on to the next idea. But when it comes to Redfall, it will be interesting to see if the same definitive conclusions are considered.
Redfall Needs Open Interpretation if It Wants a Sequel
Redfall being a multiplayer game opens speculation about how it might end. Narrative details would seemingly be inconsequential, as it is not common for multiplayer co-op games to kill off playable protagonists. Instead, the world established around its protagonists is likely to change by the end. Arkane is known for having drastically different paths that determine multiple endings, and it would be interesting to see how these conclusions are approached in Redfall.
Perhaps there will be an ending determined by whether players choose to spare vampires, for example, but not much else has been shared to determine whether that could be an option. Instead, the game’s premise seems straightforward, as players are simply tasked with vanquishing Redfall’s vampire presence. Of course, this could be a narrative misdirect, but with the game’s emphasis on multiplayer co-op it seems Arkane may be shelving its usual design.
If so, multiple endings need to be reflected in a way that can propose a greater threat or an extended the narrative if Redfall wants to be a multiplayer franchise. Sequels could introduce new playable protagonists, locations, and enemies, which would be exciting to see if Redfall’s endings offer satisfying cliffhangers.
Redfall is expected to launch in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.