[REDACTED]

One of the best games on the Steam Deck. The style, the sound design, the attention to details, the blistering rhythm, the perfectly chosen enemies, the gorgeous stylized animations. Overall, this game is a 10/10. I'd love a DLC or a sequel.

I'd recommend it on a sale - its got some fun ideas, and enjoyable music, though the punk rock aesthetic is undermined by playing and working for the least punk rock characters in the game. Ultimately let down by a real lack of synergies - all you really want to do is pump single target damage, because that will solve all your problems, and status effects that don't deal or boost damage aren't worth taking because everything important is immune to them.

REDACTED is an energetic action roguelike developed by Striking Distance Studios and published by KRAFTON, Inc. Set within the bleak science-fiction universe of The Callisto Protocol, the game takes a very different approach to storytelling and gameplay. Instead of focusing on survival horror and cinematic scares, it transforms the infamous Black Iron Prison into a frantic battleground where speed, skill, and adaptability determine whether players can escape alive. The premise is simple but effective: a devastating outbreak has plunged the prison into chaos, and a low-ranking security guard must fight through hordes of infected creatures and dangerous rivals to reach the last available escape pod before everyone else. One of the game's most appealing qualities is its ability to balance dark themes with a surprisingly vibrant presentation. While the setting remains grim and violent, the visual style embraces colorful effects, exaggerated action, and a rebellious punk-inspired aesthetic. This combination prevents the experience from becoming overly oppressive and gives REDACTED a unique personality among modern roguelikes. Explosions, special abilities, enemy attacks, and environmental hazards fill the screen with energy, making every run visually engaging. The soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere with high-tempo music that keeps players motivated during intense battles. Combat serves as the core of the experience, and it delivers a satisfying blend of aggression and strategy. Players constantly encounter mutated prisoners, monstrous biohazards, and deadly environmental threats while collecting new weapons, upgrades, and enhancements throughout each run. The controls feel responsive, encouraging aggressive movement and quick reactions. Success depends on learning enemy patterns, managing resources, and creating powerful combinations of abilities. As with many roguelikes, experimentation becomes a major source of enjoyment, as different upgrades can dramatically change how a run unfolds. A standout feature highlighted by the game's design is its rival system. Instead of simply surviving against computer-controlled enemies, players must contend with competing survivors who are also attempting to escape Black Iron Prison. These rivals can interfere with progress, create unexpected obstacles, and occasionally force direct confrontations. Their presence adds tension and unpredictability to every run because the race to freedom becomes just as important as defeating monsters. This mechanic helps REDACTED distinguish itself from many other roguelikes that rely solely on procedural encounters for variety. Progression is handled through a combination of temporary and permanent rewards. Even failed attempts contribute to long-term advancement by unlocking new equipment, abilities, and customization options. This system ensures that defeat rarely feels meaningless. Every run offers opportunities to discover new strategies, strengthen future attempts, and gradually improve the chances of reaching the prison's final escape route. The constant sense of progression creates a highly addictive gameplay loop that encourages players to return for just one more run. The narrative takes a lighter and more playful approach than its predecessor while still expanding the lore of the Callisto universe. Rather than focusing on emotional drama or horror-driven storytelling, REDACTED uses humor, eccentric characters, and competitive interactions to maintain engagement. The story primarily exists to support the action, but it succeeds in making the setting feel alive and connected to the larger franchise. Fans of The Callisto Protocol will appreciate the familiar backdrop, while newcomers can easily enjoy the game without prior knowledge of the series. The game is not entirely free from shortcomings. Like many roguelikes, repeated play sessions can reveal familiar patterns once players have exhausted much of the available content. Some may also wish for a larger variety of environments, enemies, or progression systems to sustain longer-term engagement. Additionally, players expecting a horror-focused experience similar to The Callisto Protocol may initially be surprised by the dramatic shift toward arcade-style action and humor. However, these issues rarely overshadow the game's strengths. Ultimately, REDACTED succeeds by embracing its own identity rather than attempting to replicate the formula of its predecessor. Its fast-paced combat, rewarding progression systems, memorable rival mechanic, stylish presentation, and strong replay value combine to create an entertaining action roguelike that feels both familiar and fresh. By transforming the terrifying halls of Black Iron Prison into a competitive race for survival, the game delivers an experience that is consistently exciting and highly replayable. It stands as a successful expansion of the Callisto universe and a worthwhile choice for players who enjoy challenging roguelikes with personality and flair. Rating: 8/10

White screen, accept/decline buttons dont work. Typical EGS product

This game is absolutely chaotic fun. The characters are hilarious, the bosses are engaging, and the amount of weapons, suits, and upgrades is vast. The meta progression is really solid. I will say its probably biggest issue is the in run perks or experiments it calls them. The skills can be a bit shallow but the out of run options help make up for it.

Не успел начать играть - ноготь сломал, пока геймпад чинил. 10/10

Loved my time with it. But I have to say the final gimmick is too dumb. You finish all objectives and get to the end and it has you run it one more time. If you fail this run every single unlockable item you've worked to unlock is reset and your progress is wiped to zero... I literally stepped away after demolishing the first biome's boss to pee and came back to a screen saying "timer expired". Apparently I didn't pause and now the game's reset to square one Edit - Two days later I'm back playing from scratch and having fun seeing how fast I build from scratch, so the devs knew what they were doing and I bow to them