R.E.P.O is a co-op horror indie game where you and your friends collect scrap while trying to outrun and outlive horrors in the dark. Read on to know what it did well, what it didn’t do well, and if its early access demo is worth wishlisting.

R.E.P.O. Story Plot

In R.E.P.O, a mysterious computer intelligence employs you and five others to collect certain artifacts from haunted locations. It's up to you and your team members to make it out alive with your repossessed items in tow, but the things wandering these locations aren't keen on just handing them over to you.

R.E.P.O. Gameplay

Up to six players will explore terrifying environments and locate, transport, and extract valuable items from the remains of a long-lost civilization.

Using the physics-based grabbing tool, players can pick up grand pianos, chairs, and delicate ceramics. Teamwork is key to ensuring that the cargo reaches the extraction point safely.

After a successful run, players can use their earnings to purchase upgrades and weapons from their selfless employer.

R.E.P.O Release Date and Time

February 26, 2025 (Early Access)

R.E.P.O. released on Early Access on February 26, 2025 for PC (Steam). The developer has stated that the game will stay on Early Access for 6-12 months.

Steam
Price		$9.99

R.E.P.O Review [Early Access]

This Company's No Less Lethal

It’s impossible to overstate Lethal Company’s impact on the gaming scene when it exploded onto the market in late 2023. Practically overnight, proximity voice chat became a staple of every co-op horror indie that followed, wrapped in that now-iconic murky, retro, low-poly cartoon aesthetic, with just enough vague, horrific lore to keep players hooked.

Before long, we saw a wave of games following in its footsteps—titles like PILGRIM and Content Warning, each tweaking the formula to carve out their own niche. You could argue that none have quite recaptured Lethal Company’s magic, even if they were solid in their own right. But that argument falls apart when faced with R.E.P.O., because not only does it channel Lethal Company’s energy—it actually pulls off some of LC’s own tricks better.

So, round up your crew, decide who’s the most expendable, and let’s dive into this review of R.E.P.O. to find out why this company is just as lethal.

Familiar, But Not Too Familiar

R.E.P.O.—short for “The Retrieve, Extract, and Profit Operation” (and henceforth referred to as Repo for sanity’s sake)—is an indie survival horror game that puts co-op multiplayer front and center. In this thinly veiled critique of capitalism’s penchant for repossession of assets and disregard for the sanctity of personal property, players are tasked with braving increasingly dangerous sites to reclaim valuables and turn a profit for the company by bringing them to specific extraction points around the map. Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s because it is.

The core gameplay loop sticks close to its Lethal Company inspiration, but Repo throws in enough twists to stand out, and I mean that in a more meaningful way than just changing the monsters and adding new items.

While both games have you diving into dark, decrepit locations to collect scrap while dodging patrolling horrors, Repo shifts the focus from pure survival to strategic scouting and retrieval.

In other words, making it back with your loot is just as—if not more—important than simply surviving the monsters. The entities in Repo are less aggressive, and if a teammate goes down, you can actually revive them by bringing in more loot. There’s an in-game mechanic in place where players can retrieve a fallen teammate’s head and include it in a loot extraction to revive them with 1 HP.

Your squad moves from site to site in a truck, which serves as a crucial lifeline—especially when wrapping up a job—but unlike Lethal Company’s ship, there’s no option to sit back and play “guy in the chair” to oversee operations from a safe distance. All players must go in and retrieve the loot, unless they’d rather hang back and be entirely useless.

The biggest difference between the two games, however, is that Repo offers a more varied and accessible progression system. While Lethal Company leans on player survival skills, map knowledge, and sheer experience, Repo lets you invest in stat upgrades, weapons, and game-changing tools in the shop area between each level.

These stats and items play directly into Repo’s distinct, physics-based loot retrieval system, which is far more involved than simply tossing stuff into your inventory. You’re not just holding things—you’re latching onto them with a Half-Life-style anti-gravity beam that’s as easy to handle as you’d expect (read: not at all). Every item demands careful maneuvering, because slamming valuables into walls or—worse—entities will chip away at their value. And some, like those fragile little gems, will outright shatter if you’re not gentle.

Size matters, too. Some objects are just too hefty for a single player, meaning you’ll either need a teammate to lend a hand or invest in a Strength Upgrade to manage the load. Even then, certain items refuse to be extracted unless they’re perfectly aligned in the drop-off zone (looking at you, marble statue).

To make your treasure-hauling life a little less miserable, Repo provides a hover cart with enough space to carry everything from delicate trinkets to priceless statues. Of course, it comes with its own set of challenges—maneuvering this thing through tight, monster-infested hallways is an art form. And for all the solo Repo agents out there, there’s a compact version called the Pocket Cart, perfect for those who like to suffer alone.

Finally, let’s talk about the monsters. Repo has fewer entities per level than Lethal Company, but don’t let that fool you—it’s still crawling with horrors. The difference is in how they show up. Early on, you might not even see anything trying to kill you. Later in the level, though? That’s when things get dicey. The good news is that survival is often a matter of playing smart—sticking to alternate paths, avoiding noise, or simply breaking line of sight.

The variety on display is fantastic, with creature designs that feel just as unpredictable as those in Lethal Company or Content Warning. There’s a weird clown thing that fires death rays from its nose, a swarm of gnomes you can literally chuck around until they break, telekinetic aliens, killer rubber duckies, a floating head, and even a Resident Evil-style cybernetic abomination. It’s a monster roster that keeps you on edge—and keeps you guessing—right up until you turn a corner and bump into something you wish you hadn’t.

All of these elements make Repo feel like a game that saw what Lethal Company was doing and thought, Let’s push this further. The physics-based retrieval system is a stroke of genius, turning property repossession into a challenge of both skill and strategy. The hover cart and extraction mechanics add another layer of depth, making every trip a tense balancing act between greed and survival.

If I had one big critique of Lethal Company, it’s how unforgiving it can be. No matter how skilled you are, you can just die—sometimes for reasons beyond your control. Repo, on the other hand, feels fairer. It’s still challenging, but it gives players more agency, making survival feel like something you earn rather than something you just hope for. That design choice makes it a blast, even if you don’t have a full squad. Speaking of which, let’s talk about singleplayer—because that’s yet another area where Repo outshines its competition.

No Less Fun in Singleplayer

Although co-op is Repo’s bread and butter, not everyone has a squad ready for horror hijinks at a moment’s notice. Thankfully, the single-player experience isn’t just functional—it’s great.

Mechanically, solo play is identical to multiplayer. The monsters are just as dangerous, the quotas just as demanding, and you still have access to every tool available in co-op. What makes Repo stand out, though, is that it feels like it was designed with single-player in mind just as much as multiplayer.

A big factor is how proximity voice chat—usually a defining feature in this genre—is mostly vestigial here. While it’s essential in other co-op horror games, Repo’s smaller maps and the ability to bring back teammates make voice chat feel less like a necessity and more like a convenience. As a result, playing solo doesn’t feel like you’re missing out on a core experience.

Another key aspect that sets Repo apart is its greater emphasis on stealth and perception over firepower when dealing with monsters. Most threats can be avoided simply by staying out of their way or—get this—squashing yourself to the size of a breadbox at the first sign of danger. Yes, that’s a real mechanic.

With plenty of hiding spots scattered throughout each level, survival isn't just about numbers; it’s about being smart. This makes single-player runs far less stressful—as long as you’ve got a fridge nearby to stuff yourself into like a day-old lemon.

The only real thing single-player Repo lacks compared to multiplayer is the gladiatorial combat at the end of each failed run. If you wipe in multiplayer, the game throws everyone into a chaotic last-man-standing brawl where the winner gets crowned King of Losers.

Is it necessary? Not at all.
Is it hilarious and a great way to shake off a bad run? Absolutely.

It’s a tiny perk of multiplayer that solo players miss out on, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s more of a fun extra than a core feature.

Then there’s the pacing. Repo moves fast. If you’re careful, you can clear a level quickly—sometimes without even seeing a monster. That’s a massive win for single-player since it means a failed run isn’t a slog to restart. You’re in, you’re out, and before you know it, you’re gearing up for another go. It’s a refreshing contrast to similar games that drag out every attempt, making Repo one of the most replayable entries in the co-op horror niche.

Still A Bit Too Early for Its Full Potential to Shine

There's a lot I love about Repo and plenty I want to keep experiencing, but there’s no denying that it’s the newest entry in its subgenre—and it shows. Compared to its peers, Repo is still early in development, and that comes with some growing pains.

Right now, there are only three or four maps available, cycling randomly throughout a playthrough. If you’re skilled enough to reach Level 4 and beyond, you might even start seeing them repeat. While each level is well-designed and distinct in both theme and tone, I’d love a greater variety—right now, we’re cycling between Hogwarts, Antarctic Expedition, and Betrayal at House on the Hill vibes.

More monsters, more items, and more verticality would also go a long way. These are areas where Lethal Company still holds the edge in terms of sheer content variety.

Then there’s the shop balancing. Some prices just don’t make sense. A high price tag for a gun? Sure, it’s a weapon. But 10K+ for an inflatable hammer that barely does anything? Absolutely preposterous.

Oh, and regarding the game's multiplayer scene—it's functional but limited. Right now, the only way to play with others is by inviting friends on Steam, as there are no public lobbies or matchmaking. While this isn’t a deal-breaker, it does mean that if you don’t have a group ready to go, you’re out of luck.

Considering that Repo isn't free, this setup can be a bit of a hurdle. Unlike free-to-play games where anyone can hop in and try it out, Repo requires everyone in your group to pay up before they can play together. Hopefully, the devs have plans to add public matchmaking in the future, because right now, the lack of it definitely limits the game’s accessibility.

Decidedly More Than Just Another Lethal Company Clone

All in all, R.E.P.O is no mere Lethal Company clone—not by a long shot. While it shares some similarities, they’re negligible compared to the unique features and fresh mechanics it brings to the table. A strong progression system, a distinct gameplay focus, and a surprisingly robust single-player experience set it apart, all within the confines of an unfinished game that’s still finding its full potential.

I can’t wait to see how Repo evolves in the future—but I doubt I’ll be the only one keeping an eye on it. As the saying goes, competition is good for business, and this company’s winding up for the top spot.

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R.E.P.O Product Information

Title	R.E.P.O
Release Date	February 26, 2025 [Early Access]
Developer	semiwork
Publisher	semiwork
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam)
Genre	Action, Horror, Survival, Indie
Number of Players	1-6 (Online Co-op Multiplayer)
ESRB Rating	RP
Official Website	R.E.P.O Website

Aaron Bruce Albert..

A massive fan of roguelikes, turn-based RPGs, and open world adventure games. His gold standard games include The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker.