WhileRedfallfell short of the mark earlier this year, Arkane has continued to tune and update its vampiric shooter with updates. And a new one today adds a few very welcome additions, including a Performance Mode forRedfallplayers on Xbox Series consoles.
Game Update 2adds a Performance Mode forRedfallon Xbox Series X|S. While the notes don’t list it, Arkane hadpreviously statedthis would be a 60 FPS mode. A welcome bump in frames, that also coincides with some PC performance and stability improvements.
On the gameplay side,Redfalladds a big improvement to its stealth gameplay. Players should now be able to sneak up on and take down both Cultists and Bellwether mercenaries if they’re holding a staked weapon. Previously, the stealth inRedfallcould be generously described as a sneaky hockey check. Now, the survivors ofRedfallseem to have figured that if it’s good enough to stab a vampire, it’s probably effective on people, too.
Raising the stakes
Elsewhere, Arkane is tackling improved enemy AI, various quality-of-life fixes for characters (especially for pet hero Remi), and ammo distribution. Several improvements have been made to the default Aim Assist and Dead Zone tuning, which Arkane recommends players dig back into if they’re using a controller.
All of these updates seem like welcome additions, though it’s hard not to wonder if it’s a little late.Redfallhad one of themost notably rough launchesof the year. Itsplayer countshave dipped significantly, and as I wrote inmy reviewat the time, you have to wonder how much here is salvageable. Seeing some improvements focused around its more compelling, typically-Arkane areas like stealth and the non-conventional stake weapons, as well as a Performance Mode, is encouraging.
Either way, Bethesda’s asserted thatRedfallwon’t be left out to dry. The video game industry does love a redemption arc;Cyberpunk 2077ismore than enough proof, alongside the likes ofNo Man’s SkyorFinal Fantasy XIV. Those are usually accompanied by massive investments, in time and production, the type of thing most companies wouldn’t go for. WillRedfallget that chance? Can it do the same? We’ll have to see as its post-launch cycle continues to play out.
