Review of Deathtrap: Orcs Must Die! on PlayStation 5

Alright, so there’s this game called Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap. It’s the latest buzz in the series from Robot Entertainment, and guess what? It’s got this whole roguelite thing going on. Like, seriously, didn’t see that coming. Anyway, it’s all about these unpredictable runs where you never really know which orcs or creatures you’re gonna face. Plus, there’s random weather and buffs? No clue why weather matters, but there it is. Some buffs might just be your ticket to greatness—or total disaster. I mean, sometimes it’s luck, sometimes it’s strategy. That’s gaming, right?

Oh, and four-player online co-op! But you’ve gotta be on PlayStation Plus, whatever tier. Essential? Extra? Mixing it up with your crew on larger maps, getting the most out of both shooting and melee with your War Mages. Just thinking back to when I checked out Orcs Must Die! 3 on PS5, this sequel was practically yelling at me to dive in.

Okay, visuals—essentially a third-person view deal. You’re running around using analog sticks like a pro. Attention to detail here: you’re aiming, sprinting, jumping—classic War Mage moves. And those button combos, wow. It makes me nostalgic, almost. R2 to attack, L2 for alternative moves. There’s just something satisfying about smashing that X button to jump.

Different War Mages? Oh yeah. Everyone’s got their fave. Take Vaan with his rapid-fire crossbow and this Rift thingy that makes a temporary barrier. Not gonna lie, that double jump of his is pretty rad.

But then there’s Wren—should’ve been a healer, but nope! She’s got that damage wand and can teleport. Mirror Images for days; she can cause some real chaos with her magic clones if you play your cards right.

Side note: traps are wild. From Orc Eaters to Poison Flowers, it’s like a kid in a candy store. And don’t even get me started on spending those Gold Skulls; it’s like my Skulls are burning a hole in my pocket. Spending them wisely, though, improves traps or picks up new ones. Choices, choices…

Anyway, what keeps things fresh—and spicy—is the Skulls you gather, helping you to grab Elixirs to tweak your run. Anti-Death, Ballista tricks, extra coins… all sounds delish if you ask me.

Hey, they’re also pushing this Weaver of Will. Spend your Skulls at the Thread shop. Some Threads are just genius—like making crossbows absolutely hate flies in the sky by doubling damage. And special upgrades for War Mages, like Vaan’s critical hits, that just change the game.

Oh, trophies! If you’re a trophy hunter, there’s a Platinum up for grabs. Maybe you’re into challenges like defeating a gazillion orcs or juggling tutorials.

So, here we are. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap brings this unpredictable twist to an already epic series. The weather, the buffs, the randomness just add to the thrill. Head back to your castle hub, regroup, upgrade, and hit it again. It’s that cycle that’s kind of addictive.

It’s out there now for PS5 at about 30 bucks. And if you want to splurge, there’s also a Supporters Pack with cool skins.

Oh, small disclaimer: I got to check this out on PlayStation thanks to Robot Entertainment, so big shoutout to them.

And that’s a wrap—or a ramble? Who knows. Play it and find out!