A new indie co-op horror game, R.E.P.O., has quickly become a sensation on Steam, gaining recognition as the most successful Lethal Company clone—for all the right reasons. Despite being in early access, R.E.P.O. has achieved remarkable success, hitting multiple milestones shortly after its release.
R.E.P.O. stands for “Retrieve, Extract, & Profit Operation,” a title that aptly describes the gameplay. The game allows up to six players to work together on a mission to gather and extract valuables from a haunted mansion. In terms of gameplay, R.E.P.O. combines the hide-and-seek mechanics of Dandy’s World with the physics and style of Lethal Company. Throughout each round, players must scavenge for collectibles while avoiding terrifying creatures that guard them.
Developed by the Swedish team Semiwork, R.E.P.O. is their second game and has rapidly captured the attention of thousands of players on Steam, earning an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. While Semiwork’s previous title, Voidigo, saw success in the action roguelike genre, it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as R.E.P.O.. With hundreds of well-known streamers already playing, this new co-op horror game seems poised to achieve viral success similar to Lethal Company. The developers plan to keep the game in early access for six to twelve months, during which time R.E.P.O. will feature three playable worlds, 19 enemy types, 29 pieces of equipment, and eight character upgrades, all contributing to its high replay value.
R.E.P.O. Could Be the ‘Funnier’ Lethal Company
After the global success of Lethal Company, many clones emerged, each trying to replicate its formula with small tweaks. However, R.E.P.O. is widely seen as the most successful among them for several key reasons. The game builds on simple physics-based mechanics but uses them to create unexpectedly funny moments. For example, players might accidentally hit one another with objects, resulting in awkward and humorous interactions. Another standout feature is the way players interact with monsters, distinguishing R.E.P.O. from other Lethal Company imitators. Some creatures can possess players, temporarily altering their appearance and voice, leading to intense yet comical chase scenes.
Players who enjoy parody horror games like R.E.P.O. should act quickly, as the game is currently on sale for 20% off, bringing the price down to $7.99. After the promotion ends, it will return to its original price of $9.99. The developers have also indicated that the price will increase once the game reaches its full 1.0 release. Additionally, Semiwork has committed to adding more exciting features before the full launch, including matchmaking lobbies, a highly requested addition, as the game currently lacks a way to join random players.
