Chaotic fun and replayability galore
By Paul Hunter
For over a decade, the Orcs Must Die! series has carved out a unique niche in the gaming landscape, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap builds upon this solid foundation. Developed and published by the talented team at Robot Entertainment, this latest entry expands the franchise's reach, offering large-scale battles that showcase the series' signature mix of strategy and action. And for a franchise first, 4-player co-op comes to this latest Orcs Must Die! entry.
One of the standout features of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is the all-new roguelike elements, which add an extra layer of challenge and replayability to the experience. Each session has unique buffs and debuffs that will dramatically change how you play, and new environmental conditions also impact play. You'll also have the opportunity to choose from a diverse range of playable War Mages, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles, allowing for a truly personalized experience.
The game's arsenal of traps has also been expanded, giving you even more options to strategically defend your fortifications against the relentless onslaught of orcs. Whether you prefer to tackle the challenges solo or team up with a friend for cooperative play, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap offers a compelling and engaging gameplay loop that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
One of the most impressive aspects of this latest installment is the way it refines the series' mechanics while maintaining the core elements that have made it a fan favourite. The result is a game that feels both familiar and fresh, with a level of polish and attention to detail that is sure to impress longtime fans.
Set after the events of Orcs Must Die! 3, the Rift Lord Vorwick's defeat has shattered the orc legions into four warring factions, each led by a powerful general with their own unique motives and tactics. This division has plunged the kingdom into chaos, as these factions unleash relentless assaults on the magical rifts—the very foundations of the kingdom's magic and stability.
Enter the War Mage, your heroic alter ego tasked with the crucial mission of defending these rifts. Each faction brings its own distinct threats, from brute-force assaults to more calculated strategies, forcing you to adapt your defenses and keep your wits about you. The short, but impactful, cinematic introduction sets the stage, outlining the high stakes and your role in maintaining the kingdom's delicate balance.
While the narrative may not delve into deep character-driven arcs, it serves as a functional and compelling backdrop for the game's action-packed core. The fractured state of the orc leadership adds a layer of variety to the conflict, as you face off against each faction's distinct generals and their specialized forces.
As a War Mage, you'll need to be on your toes, constantly adjusting your tactics to counter the ever-changing threats. Whether it's brute-force assaults or more calculated strategies, each faction brings its own unique challenges, keeping the action fresh and engaging throughout.
The story may not be the main draw, but it does an excellent job of framing the gameplay and emphasizing the importance of your mission. Protecting the rifts is the clear focus, with the narrative supporting the action without ever overshadowing it.
In the role of a formidable War Mage, you'll find yourself at the heart of the conflict, facing wave after wave of relentless orc invaders who seek to overwhelm the magical rifts. To emerge victorious, you'll need to masterfully combine strategic trap placement with real-time combat, creating a symphony of destruction that will leave your enemies quaking in fear.
As you survey the battlefield, your arsenal of traps—from spike pits and wall-mounted crossbows to searing flame jets—will become your greatest allies. Effective trap placement is crucial, especially as the levels grow more complex, with multiple entry points for the enemy hordes. Between waves, you'll have the opportunity to tweak your defences, unlocking new traps or upgrading existing ones with the spoils of your victories.
The thrill of the battle truly comes alive when you're forced to adapt on the fly. I'll never forget the time I faced a rift with four open pathways, the enemies swarming in faster than I could have anticipated. With my defenses overwhelmed, I quickly sprang into action, activating my war mage's super power to thin the horde while rushing around to quickly deploy more spike traps. The sense of accomplishment when I finally pulled through that chaotic defence was simply exhilarating.
The game further enhances the experience with the introduction of roguelike elements, allowing you to choose upgrades after each wave that can enhance your traps or abilities—though often with intriguing trade-offs, like slower cooldowns for higher damage. And with a diverse roster of War Mages, each offering a unique playstyle, from Wren's ability to create clones to Harlow's blunderbuss and boom barrel, the possibilities for experimentation and customization are endless.
Whether you're tackling the challenges solo or teaming up with friends in co-op, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap demands flexibility, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Every level is a test of your resource management, your quick-thinking, and your ability to face increasingly formidable orc hordes. It's a gameplay experience that will keep your adrenaline pumping, as you fight to defend the kingdom's precious rifts.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap embraces a delightfully cartoonish art style that perfectly complements its chaotic and exhilarating gameplay. The environments are a feast for the eyes, with a vibrant palette of colours and a meticulous attention to detail. From the grand indoor castles to the trap-laden outdoor courtyards, each level feels visually distinct, offering clear layouts that help you strategize your defences with precision. And the diverse enemy designs across the warring orc factions add a nice touch of personality to the hordes you'll be facing.
The game's animations and visual effects truly bring the action to life, with traps triggering satisfying and noticeable reactions. Whether it's watching a hapless orc get launched into the air by a springboard or seeing them engulfed in flames from a well-placed jet, the sheer spectacle of it all is simply captivating.
The user interface is a model of efficiency, providing you with all the essential information you need at a glance—from enemy paths to trap cooldowns—allowing you to focus on the fast-paced and ever-evolving battlefield.
But it's the game's soundtrack that truly sets the tone, blending medieval themes with heavy metal elements to create a pulsating and energetic backdrop to the chaos. And the sound effects, from the triggering of traps to the approaching footsteps of your enemies, help you stay hyper-aware and on your toes during the most intense moments. Even the War Mage's voice lines add a touch of humour to the proceedings, though their repetition during longer sessions might start to wear thin.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a must-play for anyone who craves a thrilling and unpredictable experience, where strategy, adaptability, and a healthy dose of over-the-top fun come together in perfect harmony.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Publisher: Robot Entertainment
Genre: Tower Defense, Strategy
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
For over a decade, the Orcs Must Die! series has carved out a unique niche in the gaming landscape, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap builds upon this solid foundation. Developed and published by the talented team at Robot Entertainment, this latest entry expands the franchise's reach, offering large-scale battles that showcase the series' signature mix of strategy and action. And for a franchise first, 4-player co-op comes to this latest Orcs Must Die! entry.
One of the standout features of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is the all-new roguelike elements, which add an extra layer of challenge and replayability to the experience. Each session has unique buffs and debuffs that will dramatically change how you play, and new environmental conditions also impact play. You'll also have the opportunity to choose from a diverse range of playable War Mages, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles, allowing for a truly personalized experience.
The game's arsenal of traps has also been expanded, giving you even more options to strategically defend your fortifications against the relentless onslaught of orcs. Whether you prefer to tackle the challenges solo or team up with a friend for cooperative play, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap offers a compelling and engaging gameplay loop that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
One of the most impressive aspects of this latest installment is the way it refines the series' mechanics while maintaining the core elements that have made it a fan favourite. The result is a game that feels both familiar and fresh, with a level of polish and attention to detail that is sure to impress longtime fans.
Set after the events of Orcs Must Die! 3, the Rift Lord Vorwick's defeat has shattered the orc legions into four warring factions, each led by a powerful general with their own unique motives and tactics. This division has plunged the kingdom into chaos, as these factions unleash relentless assaults on the magical rifts—the very foundations of the kingdom's magic and stability.
Enter the War Mage, your heroic alter ego tasked with the crucial mission of defending these rifts. Each faction brings its own distinct threats, from brute-force assaults to more calculated strategies, forcing you to adapt your defenses and keep your wits about you. The short, but impactful, cinematic introduction sets the stage, outlining the high stakes and your role in maintaining the kingdom's delicate balance.
While the narrative may not delve into deep character-driven arcs, it serves as a functional and compelling backdrop for the game's action-packed core. The fractured state of the orc leadership adds a layer of variety to the conflict, as you face off against each faction's distinct generals and their specialized forces.
As a War Mage, you'll need to be on your toes, constantly adjusting your tactics to counter the ever-changing threats. Whether it's brute-force assaults or more calculated strategies, each faction brings its own unique challenges, keeping the action fresh and engaging throughout.
The story may not be the main draw, but it does an excellent job of framing the gameplay and emphasizing the importance of your mission. Protecting the rifts is the clear focus, with the narrative supporting the action without ever overshadowing it.
In the role of a formidable War Mage, you'll find yourself at the heart of the conflict, facing wave after wave of relentless orc invaders who seek to overwhelm the magical rifts. To emerge victorious, you'll need to masterfully combine strategic trap placement with real-time combat, creating a symphony of destruction that will leave your enemies quaking in fear.
As you survey the battlefield, your arsenal of traps—from spike pits and wall-mounted crossbows to searing flame jets—will become your greatest allies. Effective trap placement is crucial, especially as the levels grow more complex, with multiple entry points for the enemy hordes. Between waves, you'll have the opportunity to tweak your defences, unlocking new traps or upgrading existing ones with the spoils of your victories.
The thrill of the battle truly comes alive when you're forced to adapt on the fly. I'll never forget the time I faced a rift with four open pathways, the enemies swarming in faster than I could have anticipated. With my defenses overwhelmed, I quickly sprang into action, activating my war mage's super power to thin the horde while rushing around to quickly deploy more spike traps. The sense of accomplishment when I finally pulled through that chaotic defence was simply exhilarating.
The game further enhances the experience with the introduction of roguelike elements, allowing you to choose upgrades after each wave that can enhance your traps or abilities—though often with intriguing trade-offs, like slower cooldowns for higher damage. And with a diverse roster of War Mages, each offering a unique playstyle, from Wren's ability to create clones to Harlow's blunderbuss and boom barrel, the possibilities for experimentation and customization are endless.
Whether you're tackling the challenges solo or teaming up with friends in co-op, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap demands flexibility, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Every level is a test of your resource management, your quick-thinking, and your ability to face increasingly formidable orc hordes. It's a gameplay experience that will keep your adrenaline pumping, as you fight to defend the kingdom's precious rifts.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap embraces a delightfully cartoonish art style that perfectly complements its chaotic and exhilarating gameplay. The environments are a feast for the eyes, with a vibrant palette of colours and a meticulous attention to detail. From the grand indoor castles to the trap-laden outdoor courtyards, each level feels visually distinct, offering clear layouts that help you strategize your defences with precision. And the diverse enemy designs across the warring orc factions add a nice touch of personality to the hordes you'll be facing.
The game's animations and visual effects truly bring the action to life, with traps triggering satisfying and noticeable reactions. Whether it's watching a hapless orc get launched into the air by a springboard or seeing them engulfed in flames from a well-placed jet, the sheer spectacle of it all is simply captivating.
The user interface is a model of efficiency, providing you with all the essential information you need at a glance—from enemy paths to trap cooldowns—allowing you to focus on the fast-paced and ever-evolving battlefield.
But it's the game's soundtrack that truly sets the tone, blending medieval themes with heavy metal elements to create a pulsating and energetic backdrop to the chaos. And the sound effects, from the triggering of traps to the approaching footsteps of your enemies, help you stay hyper-aware and on your toes during the most intense moments. Even the War Mage's voice lines add a touch of humour to the proceedings, though their repetition during longer sessions might start to wear thin.
The Verdict
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap successfully captures the fun and excitement of its predecessors, while introducing fresh elements that keep the experience feeling dynamic and unpredictable. The game's winning formula of tower defense strategy and third-person combat remains as engaging as ever, but the addition of roguelike upgrades adds an extra layer of depth and replayability. The new traps and mechanics build upon the established formula, keeping the core appeal intact while introducing fresh twists and challenges. And even if you're new to the series, the game's accessibility and addictive gameplay will have you hooked from the very first wave.Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a must-play for anyone who craves a thrilling and unpredictable experience, where strategy, adaptability, and a healthy dose of over-the-top fun come together in perfect harmony.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap details
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Robot Entertainment
Publisher: Robot Entertainment
Genre: Tower Defense, Strategy
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.