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Deadfall Adventures plunges players into a world of ancient tombs, hidden treasures, and deadly traps, reminiscent of the iconic Indiana Jones. This first-person shooter, developed by The Farm 51 and published by Nordic Games, casts you as James Lee Quatermain, grandson of the famed adventurer Allan Quatermain, on a quest to find the Heart of Atlantis. Joined by archaeologist Jennifer Goodwin, James braves icy Arctic landscapes and scorching Egyptian deserts, only to discover that Nazis seeking the artifact aren’t his only problem. Mummies, booby traps, and supernatural forces add to the challenge, proving the stories about his ancestor might not be so far-fetched after all.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures gameplay screenshot showcasing the protagonist navigating a tomb.

Gameplay Falls Short

Deadfall Adventures relies heavily on two core elements: shooting and puzzle-solving. Unfortunately, both fall flat, delivering a mediocre and often frustrating experience.

The gunplay, while borrowing from Call of Duty, lacks the satisfying punch of its inspiration. You’ll face two main enemy types: Nazis and mummies. Encounters with Nazis devolve into a monotonous cycle of shoot-reload-repeat. Absent are any special abilities or tactical options, making these sections tedious. Mummy encounters, inspired by Alan Wake, require using a flashlight or luring them into the light to weaken them before finishing them off with a few bullets. This adds a single extra step to the same tired formula. While different mummy types appear, they offer little variation in combat.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures combat against mummies using the flashlight mechanic.

Further hindering the gunplay is a poorly balanced arsenal. The game boasts 10-15 World War I-era weapons, from pistols and shotguns to submachine guns and rifles. However, many weapons feel indistinguishable, differing only in appearance. The shotgun’s effectiveness is wildly inconsistent, and the signature Quatermain revolvers, while boasting infinite ammo, are frustratingly weak.

The puzzles, touted as a highlight, are simplistic and uninspired. They revolve around predictable mechanics like reflecting light with mirrors, rotating stone symbols, or shooting golden circles to disable traps. Solutions are often obvious, and James’s journal provides blatant hints, eliminating any sense of challenge.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures environment showcasing a puzzle involving light reflection.

Exacerbating these issues is a laughably poor AI. Nazis frequently abandon cover for one-on-one duels, and their attacks defy physics. Mummy AI is even worse, exhibiting basic chase behavior and reacting only to light.

A Wasted Opportunity

Deadfall Adventures’ level design, while initially detailed, becomes increasingly linear and restrictive. Early traps and puzzles hold some promise, but later levels feel repetitive and lifeless. The game also suffers from illogical enemy placement, undermining the sense of exploration.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures character upgrade screen showcasing the different upgrade paths.

A treasure-hunting mechanic allows for upgrades across three paths: Path of Light (flashlight), Path of Life (health and stamina), and Path of Warrior (combat). These upgrades feel largely superfluous, as James is already powerful enough from the start. The placement of treasures is inconsistent, further highlighting the lackluster level design.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures in-game screenshot depicting the protagonist in an Egyptian tomb.

The narrative, despite its promising premise, fails to deliver a compelling story. The game attempts to emulate Uncharted but squanders its unique setting and connection to literary history. Many plot points are left unexplained, leaving the player with unanswered questions about the Heart of Atlantis and the motivations of the various factions. The dialogue is riddled with clunky jokes and illogical character choices, further undermining the story.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures showcasing the protagonist alongside the female companion.

A multiplayer component, offering Team Deathmatch and Survival modes, is essentially dead on arrival due to a lack of players and technical issues.

Visuals Offer a Glimmer of Hope

Despite its flaws, Deadfall Adventures does boast impressive visuals, thanks to the Unreal Engine 3. From Egyptian pyramids and Arctic bases to ancient ruins and lava-filled mines, the environments are visually stunning and offer a sense of adventure. However, character models and textures could have used more polish.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures gameplay screenshot showing the varied and impressive environments.

The Survival mode, similar to Horde mode in Gears of War, is a bright spot. It pits players against waves of mummies in repurposed single-player maps. The inclusion of environmental traps adds a unique element to the gameplay.

alt text: Deadfall Adventures promotional image with cover art.

Conclusion

Deadfall Adventures had the potential to be a thrilling adventure, but its poorly executed gameplay, lackluster story, and technical issues hold it back. While the visuals and Survival mode offer some redeeming qualities, they aren’t enough to save this treasure hunt from falling flat.