Redeemer: Enhanced Edition | Xbox One | Review

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There's something quite satisfying about pulverising someone with a large axe. While Redeemer (the prettier Enhanced Edition, in this case) isn't the first game to offer that combat experience, it is an experience which defines it, or at least the broad strokes of its main character Vasily, who utilises elaborate melee strikes and environmental executions to deal devastating killing blows.

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​ by James
 Michael
​ Parry

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@James_Parry

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Developer: Sobaka
Studio
Publisher: Buka
Entertainment
Platforms: Xbox One,
PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Players: 1

Vasily himself has a sense of tragedy about him, conveying echoes of a past with John Wick-like beats to it. He initially seems to have ditched his troubled life to see his time out with a quiet existence in the mountains, only to then be drawn back in when he's discovered by a shadowy corporation. We're only ever given short animated glimpses into his motivations, though, offering little reason to really connect with the character. In fact, on the face of it, Vasily comes across as a watered down version of Kratos from God of War in many ways.

You’ll guide watered-down Kratos through labyrinthine corridors, which come to feel repetitive quickly but are littered with neat little details, such as enemies getting up to mischief just outside of the gameplay area. Additionally, environments are littered with fuse boxes, spiked walls, statues and pillars which you can use to execute enemies, cutting even some of their harshest ranks down in one hit.

The animations thereof are satisfying and, provided you don't zoom the tight isometric camera in too closely, quite impressive. As things progress, enemy numbers are something which not only start to push the game technically - even on Xbox One X - but feel like a cheap way to ramp up the level of challenge, making it more satisfying (and closer to the intended feel, we’re sure) to knock the difficulty level down a peg in order to power onwards.

​​You’re given a range of scrolls, perks and upgrades to boost your moveset, but keeping track of what does what is tricky, and, other than perhaps move unlocks, the buffs don't jump out as particularly game-changing. As a result, gameplay fails to significantly develop as Redeemer plods along, further hindered by the fact that new enemies are introduced as standout mid-bosses before being tarnished when they’re subsequently thrown at you in their droves.

Melee weapons quickly degrade too, leading to a map littered with half-broken hatchets and electric batons which are largely interchangeable, but crucial to dismantling some of the larger enemies. There are guns on offer as well, but they’re often difficult to use at range due to the aforementioned camera perspective.

Overall, while Redeemer: Enhanced Edition might be a fun way to pass the time on your commute (should you opt for the Switch version), it's difficult to wholeheartedly recommend you devote your time to it at home.

Pros

• Brutal, savage takedowns
  
• Clearing a room with multi-kills is satisfying
  
• Some endearing set dressing

Cons

• Repetitive gameplay and environments
  
• Characters and enemies show little personality
  
• Largely redundant progression system

6/10