Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror, this time with friends. Whether you go through the trials alone or in teams, if you survive long enough and complete the therapy, Murkoff will happily let you leave… but will you be the same?
In this cooperative horror game, you and up to three friends undergo involuntary "therapies" orchestrated by the sinister Murkoff Corporation. The core gameplay focuses on stealth and evasion as you navigate dangerous, randomized environments filled with hostile enemies.
To aid your survival, you can collect a variety of tools, such as night vision goggles, stun rods, and healing items. Between trials, you can unlock and upgrade these tools, tailoring your loadout to your preferred playstyle. These upgrades provide tangible benefits, enhancing your stealth, evasion, and combat capabilities.
The game presents you with a diverse array of trials and challenges. Some tasks are straightforward, like moving an object to a specific location, while others require careful coordination and planning with your team. The randomized element ensures you can't rely on the same strategies, forcing you to adapt on the fly.
While you can attempt the trials solo, the game is designed to be more rewarding with cooperative play. Effective communication, resource sharing, and reviving downed teammates are crucial for success. Working together to overcome the game's obstacles and challenges creates a deeply satisfying experience.
Between trials, you can customize your character by choosing from different "rigs" that provide unique abilities. You can also equip perks and enhancements to further refine your playstyle. This progression system adds a sense of development and investment as you hone your approach to the game's terrors.