Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap Review

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The Orcs Must Die! franchise has always had a special place in my memory, offering an intriguing mix of action and tower defense games. Despite being fun, it never quite achieved widespread popularity, even as the developer Robot Entertainment strived to stay current with evolving gaming trends, notably with Orcs Must Die! Unchained.

Each new version brought delightful minor enhancements, yet none of the subsequent titles captured me as effectively as the original game did.

The Orcs Must Die! franchise has always seemed to me like a series that, whether intentionally or not, appears to be rooted in the early 2010s, despite the developers’ attempts to adjust to the evolving trends of gaming with Orcs Must Die 3 and Orcs Must Die! Unchained.

In other words, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is another opportunity to savor more of the series, and it appears to be a revival of its traditional style.

Deathtrap offers everything that made the initial game so entertaining, enticing you to replay it countless times. Having released four iterations, it’s now venturing into the roguelike genre, which seems like a fitting progression for this series.

Tower-Defense Goes Roguelite

If you haven’t grown tired of the Roguelike genre from the numerous releases in recent times, then you’re in for a delightful experience. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap continues its traditional approach of eliminating greenskins and setting up traps, but it emphasizes that both death and survival are integral aspects of gameplay.

The Roguelite aspect feels like a solid step forward for the Orcs Must Die! series.

For enthusiasts of the show, there’s no cause for concern since Deathtrap fundamentally adheres to its tower defense roots. It maintains this structure consistently, ensuring that all the appealing aspects of the series stay unchanged throughout the entire playtime.

Yet, it expands upon this solid base to enhance the gameplay with roguelike features and a modestly-sized cast of characters. Contrasting Unchained’s mandatory PvP, which had its moments of fun, this roguelike style seems tailor-made for Orcs Must Die!

Additionally, you now have the option to select from a modest array of characters, each boasting distinctive skills that significantly influence the game’s dynamics. The core mechanic remains the same – setting traps on walls, floors, and ceilings – which perfectly encapsulates my expectations for an Orcs Must Die! experience.

Place Traps or Fight ‘Em Head On

In the new version, custom-made characters offer a fresh twist, encouraging players to adjust their gameplay based on each unique circumstance, instead of sticking with the traditional methods they’ve used throughout this game series.

For example, since the druid-healer bear’s wooden club and basic abilities weren’t effective against numerous orcs, I found it necessary to lay traps as soon as possible due to financial constraints.

While assuming the role of Sophia, a cat-warrior armed with twin blades and accompanied by an undead guardian, I found myself engaged in closer battles more frequently, thereby accumulating more coins for purchasing costly traps.

This choice to provide predefined character templates (archetypes) allows players to choose the level of diversity they prefer in each game. Players have the freedom to consistently play their favorite roles or develop versatility, capable of adapting to different scenarios.

Using the approach in the game later on is beneficial if you aim to contribute positively to your cooperative teammates. Moreover, when considering its 4-player co-op feature, a variety of upgradable traps, and a refreshed take on an already cherished formula, Orcs Must Die seems to have discovered a new perspective to breathe life back into its enduring gameplay.

Despite growing weary of the frequent inclusion of cards to alter gameplay in various games, the repetitive roguelike aspect in Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap doesn’t feel contrived because the franchise has traditionally centered around enduring runs and waves of enemies.

For instance, certain instances in the game incorporate roguelike aspects, which often present engaging difficulties. This might involve battling against earth elementals ablaze with fire that accompany orcs, or making strategic decisions about selecting modifiers that increase the frequency of floor traps but reduce their damage output by half.

Instead of constantly layering traps, it’s better to adapt your strategy for every run, considering different approaches to fend off the orcs. When you have friends with you, these strategic choices intensify the bedlam on-screen, contributing to an overall experience that’s more chaotic and enjoyable.

Feel Like Part Of The Action

Instead of merely strategizing and waiting to observe if your defense strategies are effective in tower defense games, Orcs Must Die! encourages active participation, allowing you to engage directly in the battlefield.

In other words, it’s sometimes felt awkward and unimpressive to use, similar to jumping into a chaotic battle in an early version of Fortnite. Yet, I must admit, engaging in real-time combat in this instance is surprisingly enjoyable.

Switching to a new Warmage character can still be enjoyable for devoted fans, but it’s important to note that melee combat hasn’t traditionally been one of the standout features in this game series.

In Deathtrap, the melee combat seems more refined, with each strike feeling fulfilling thanks to enhanced hitboxes and significantly improved visual responses.

Indeed, the variety of heroes certainly plays a role. Yet, repeatedly whacking orcs with a gigantic, mystical wooden mace or deftly cutting them with twin blades became my routine in numerous playthroughs, and that’s precisely what I did over and over again.

Trap Enthusiasts, Rejoice!

In my opinion, not everything that grows larger automatically becomes superior, but when it comes to the epic scale of “Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap,” I firmly believe that bigger truly is better. You’ll undoubtedly rejoice to learn that this exciting series has expanded its maps to be even more expansive, and the layouts are now more intricate than ever before.

Instead, it’s not only about their size; these creatures also feature a variety of modifications such as day and night cycles, varying weather conditions, and tile deterioration that hinders trap placement and encourages direct combat.

In the roguelike game ‘Threads’, quick adaptation is crucial for staying alive. However, these additional modifiers significantly increase the difficulty, making it an ideal choice for experienced orc-fighters who crave a challenging battle.

In other words, you can turn these modifiers to your benefit by being resourceful. For instance, you could initially sell the traps at their full value, then later re-purchase them when price adjustments occur, taking advantage of the lower cost.

As a gamer, I can tell you that you’ve got an opportunity to splurge on premium, map-tailored defensive structures. If your wallet allows it, these high-tier defenses are definitely worth every penny for the edge they give you in gameplay.

Personally speaking, this latest update offers you multiple paths to triumph, but also presents ample opportunities for missteps – just the kind of unpredictability that keeps things exciting in a game like this!

A Barricade to Entry

In the game Orcs Must Die!, the expansion pack titled Deathtrap offers a multiplayer experience with up to four players, amplifying the orc-slaying chaos. It introduces more orcs, larger play areas, an abundance of traps, and numerous upgrade options. However, it imposes a restriction on the number of barricades you can utilize.

Given the significant role the obstacles played in past events, their absence could potentially be a major letdown for many spectators. In other words, we won’t see those intricate death mazes or wild labyrinths anymore.

As a devoted player, I found myself genuinely worried about having an adequate supply of barricades during my efforts to safeguard the rift, given that enhancements allowing for a higher barricade limit prior to each run are optional.

This restriction significantly increases the challenge of each attempt, demonstrating the surprising importance of a modest stack of wood and metal, in contrast to lava-filled ground, enormous ballistae, or laser attacks from above.

Indeed, it’s logical to impose restrictions on the use of barricades given the expansive and complex nature of the maps nowadays.

As the number of orcs increases for battle and the variety of upgradeable traps multiplies, concerns about balance arise due to the potential overuse of barricades. Yet, this choice, being one of the most daring moves in the game, may stir up long-time fans of the series.

Closing Comments

As a longtime fan of the Orcs Must Die series, I’ve been eagerly awaiting a fresh take on its tower-defense formula for quite some time now. With Deathtrap, that wish has finally come true! The roguelite and hero-based gameplay mechanics have breathed new life into this decade-old franchise.

From the four-player co-op mode to the upgradable traps and hero abilities, every aspect of Deathtrap feels like a thoughtful evolution of the original gameplay. Plus, the larger maps provide even more strategic depth. Despite the somewhat restrictive barricade limit, I’m thrilled to say that Deathtrap truly feels like a solid Orcs Must Die! game and represents a much-needed step forward for a series that seemed destined to be forever in the shadow of its past successes.

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2025-01-27 15:09