Welcome to the latest edition of Play This Right Now, where we shine a spotlight on a game that deserves your attention. This week, we delve into the captivating world of Deadlock, a title that, while not officially released, is currently accessible through beta invites generously distributed by Valve. For those who may not have friends to join in the fun, these invites can easily be found within various Discord communities. Personally, I have invested over 350 hours into this game, and I can confidently say it has been a rewarding experience.
City Never Sleeps Update
The recent update, City Never Sleeps, feels like the culmination of a creative journey, showcasing the final touches of a masterpiece in progress. The entire map has undergone a remarkable transformation, introducing new neutral monsters and a richly textured redesign that breathes new life into its landscapes. The term “remake” hardly does justice to the vibrant and imaginative design that fills every corner of this relatively small map, which can be traversed in just a minute or two with efficient movement, yet feels expansive and diverse.
Two key elements elevate this experience: the introduction of new characters and an abundance of fresh dialogue. The character designs in Deadlock are nothing short of delightful. Among the new heroes, we find some of Valve’s most impressive creations to date. Even the least intriguing character, an art student named Violet, manages to charm with her paint-smeared legs that perfectly complement her aesthetic.
- Deadman Danny: A skeletal crash test dummy and salesman for Fairfax Industries’ weapons.
- Nurse Harrow: A mysterious figure that could be a Lovecraftian entity or a biblically accurate angel, all while embodying the persona of a stern nurse.
- Rat King: A character boasting over 100 bespoke voice lines that reference his subjects.
However, my personal favorites draw inspiration from New York’s park culture. Solomon, a chess-loving elder who seems to possess supernatural abilities from his time in Central Park, and Baba, a reimagined version of the mythical Baba Yaga. This iteration presents her as a grandmotherly figure who feeds pigeons while riding a bird-legged park bench—an idea that is simply brilliant.
The existing cast has also been expanded, with the update introducing a plethora of new conversations and voice lines that deepen character development, hint at new lore, and, in the case of Pocket and Mina, tug at the heartstrings.
All these elements come together to make Deadlock’s Cursed Apple one of my favorite video game settings of all time. Its allure is so profound that I find myself wishing it weren’t confined to the MOBA genre. Nevertheless, even if you’re not inclined to invest the hundreds of hours typically required to master this genre, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring Deadlock and immersing yourself in its captivating atmosphere. It stands as an unfinished masterpiece, tantalizingly close to completion.