Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Action, TPP, fantasy, tower defense, roguelike, humorous, elements of strategy, indie games, co-op, Game Pass, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
The second spinoff of the popular tower defense series with a TPP view, enriched with roguelike mechanics. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap forces us to defend against waves of enemy orcs, building defences and setting up traps before the next wave of monsters show up.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is the second spin-off of the series launched in 2011, which combines action games and the tower defense genre. It is also the fifth title under the Orcs Must Die! brand. The game was developed by the independent studio Robot Entertainment, which has been overseeing the development of the series from the beginning.
Gameplay
In Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap we watch the action from a third-person perspective (TPP). During the game we once again play the role of battle mages and our task is to defend against the attacking orcs. The game takes place on diverse, extensive maps with an open structure. This time, the authors provided us with six characters, which have been diversified in terms of preferred weapons and used traps, as well as combat skills.
Once the battle begins, we can (and even should) take direct part in the fight, eliminating the aggressors in close combat or dealing with them using ranged attacks. Adversaries attack in waves and before the next offensive we must ensure that as many traps as possible appear in their path. Even if the latter do not manage to eliminate them, they will at least significantly slow them down. The culmination of every confrontation is a duel with the general serving as the boss.
Elements of the roguelike genre have been implemented in the game. As we progress, we develop heroes and heroines and improve the weapons and traps they use, using random power-ups. It is complicated by the fact that enemies can also grow in strength, thanks to weather or time of day. Environmental factors can also have a negative impact on them, but the same applies to our defensive options. All of this often forces us to make difficult choices between continuing an increasingly difficult battle and returning to the castle center, developing the character and their equipment, and attempting another skirmish.
Game modes
In Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap we can play alone or in multiplayer online cooperation for up to four people. The difficulty level of the game adjusts to the number of players.
Graphics
The graphic design of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is kept in the cartoon style typical of the series.
Videos and Screens
[1:00] Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap - Launch Trailer
[1:59] Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap - Release Date Reveal Trailer
PC Gamer: 72 / 100 by Justin Wagner
Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap retains the frenzied fun of its predecessors despite a mixed bag of format changes.
XboxEra: 7.2 / 10 by Jesse Norris
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a fun game with some serious looks and performance issues on Xbox Series consoles. If it’s cleaned up at all by a day one patch then it’s an easy recommendation. Available Day One on Game Pass it’s a solid solo title and one that’s a ton of fun with friends.
DualShockers: 8 / 10 by Kerem Dogan Karakoc
Deathtrap is a return to form with much-appreciated new twists like 4-player co-op, upgradable traps, hero abilities, and much bigger maps. Although the barricade limit is a solid deal-breaker, Deathtrap feels and plays like a solid Orcs Must Die! game and finally feels like a proper step forward for a series that felt like it was doomed to be forever chasing past successes.
The main pros of the game
- Roguelite Progression: Many users appreciate the roguelite mechanics, which add replayability and strategic depth through random modifiers and skill upgrades.
- Fun Gameplay: The core gameplay remains enjoyable, especially when playing with friends. The chaotic nature of defending against orc hordes is still present.
- Character Variety: The introduction of multiple characters with unique abilities adds variety to gameplay and encourages different playstyles.
- Developer Responsiveness: Users noted that the developers have been responsive to feedback, making adjustments to barricade limits and other gameplay elements shortly after launch.
The main cons of the game
- Barricade Limitations: The limit on barricades (initially 16, later increased to 22 for solo play) is a significant point of contention. Many players feel it restricts strategic options and creativity in defense setups.
- Lack of Campaign or Story: There is no structured campaign or story mode, which disappoints players who enjoyed the narrative elements in previous titles.
- Melee Combat Issues: Players found melee combat clunky, especially the inability to move while attacking, which detracts from the gameplay experience.
- Map Design: Maps are described as too large and convoluted, making it difficult to create effective killboxes. Players also noted a lack of variety in maps compared to previous games.
- Poor Player Onboarding: New players may feel overwhelmed due to the lack of tutorials and explanations for enemy types and mechanics.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Customization Options: Players miss the ability to customize traps and weapons as in previous games. The new system feels too generic and lacks the depth of customization that fans enjoyed.
- Endless Mode: Many users expressed a desire for an endless mode or additional game modes beyond the current roguelite setup.
- Better Communication Tools: The absence of text chat and the reliance on voice communication can be limiting, especially for players who cannot use voice chat.
- More Maps and Content: There is a call for more maps, traps, and overall content to enhance the gameplay experience and provide more variety.
Conclusion
- Overall, while *Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap* offers some new and interesting mechanics, many players feel that it falls short in comparison to its predecessors. The game's balance, content, and player experience have come under scrutiny, leading to a mixed reception. Players who enjoyed the previous titles may find this installment lacking in certain areas, but there is hope for improvement with ongoing developer support.
Summary generated on:
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap Summary
Game Series: Orcs Must Die!
Platforms:
PC Windows
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Publisher: Robot Entertainment
Age restrictions: 12+
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1080 / Radeon RX 570, 15 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-7700 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 12 GB GeForce RTX 3060 / Radeon RX 6700 XT, 15 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
All characters (secret Max included) in Orcs Must Die Deathtrap. Find your favorite War Mage
Here’s an overview of all War Mages in Orcs Must Die Deathtrap. Discover each character’s abilities and find out how to unlock Maximilian.
How to
Olga Racinowska
January 29, 2025
PS5 release of Orcs Must Die Deathtrap will be „ASAP”
Orcs Must Die Deathtrap debuted on PC and Xbox, but what about PS5? Here you will learn more about the PlayStation 5 release of this title, and it can be sooner than you think.
How to
Aleksander Kartasinski
January 29, 2025
Acclaimed Action Strategy Game Series Orcs Must Die! Is Getting a Sequel. Here Is a First Look at Deathtrap
A new installment in the Orcs Must Die! series, subtitled Deathtrap, has been announced. The game is scheduled for release in early 2025.
video games
Martin Bukowski
July 18, 2024