Deadlock, once perceived as a MOBA or third-person shooter, has taken a decidedly horror-tinged turn following its latest major update, City Never Sleeps. This shift in tone has been particularly felt by players like the one quoted, who describes their experiences as "bloody scary."
The City Never Sleeps update introduced six new heroes, including the aptly named Rat King. This character, in particular, has been a source of dread for players navigating the game's subterranean tunnel systems. The author recounts being stalked and attacked by the Rat King in these tight spaces, noting how the map's mechanics can trap players, turning escape into an impossibility and leading to a terrifying demise.
This sense of dread is not confined to the tunnels. Encounters with other new characters, such as Abrams and Seven, in the game's various districts have also led to similarly unnerving situations. The unpredictability of enemy AI, coupled with the game's atmospheric design, has created scenarios that feel more akin to a horror game than a traditional multiplayer title.
The author suggests that while their personal preference for horror games may heighten their perception, the core unpredictability of online multiplayer games, combined with these new elements, fosters a genuinely frightening experience. The update, by introducing unsettling characters and amplifying the game's tense moments, has seemingly transformed Deadlock into something far more chilling than its genre origins might suggest.