Introduction: The War Mage Returns
When Robot Entertainment finally dropped Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap on PS5 on July 29, 2025, I felt that familiar rush of power—like a mad War Mage wielding boundless arcane fury. After countless sessions on PC and Xbox earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to see how the PlayStation 5 would transform the series I’ve become hopelessly obsessed with. With the zero-cost “State of Slay” update bundled in, the hype meter was off the charts. But despite my high expectations, I needed to know: does this PS5 edition truly elevate the mayhem, or is it just more of the same orc-splatting ritual?
State of Slay: A Free Overhaul
The heart of the PS5 launch is unquestionably the free State of Slay update—a sweeping refresh that feels more like a paid expansion than a patch. Step into a sprawling new arena designed for over-the-top trap combos, complete with branching pathways and destructible scenery that amplify strategic depth. I spent one run luring orcs over a series of spike pits, then triggering a falling pillar to crush the survivors—cinematic chaos at its finest.
Robot Entertainment didn’t stop at level design. They packed in fresh gadgets like the illusion decoy, which lures orcs away from chokepoints, and the corrosive acid canister that turns swarms into screaming piles of goo. You’ll also encounter environmental hazards—electrified floors that pulse with energy and collapsing ceiling rigs that reward precise timing. Every encounter feels unpredictable, and that sense of discovery kept me on edge for hours.
Trap Catalog Showcase: Tools of Destruction
One of the series’ strongest draws has always been its trap variety, and Deathtrap PS5 expands the catalog in clever ways. Classic staples—spike walls, tar pits, flamethrowers—are joined by exotic newcomers like the magnetic coil turret, which hurls pink goo that slows enemies before an electric blast finishes them off. Each trap now has visual upgrades that really pop on the PS5’s crisp 4K output.
- Spike Walls: Now with reinforced spikes and new animation effects
- Flame Jets: Improved range and heat distortion visuals
- Shock Bolts: Electrify a cluster of orcs with a single cast
- Magnetic Coil Turret: Slow, gather, then obliterate
- Tar Pits: Pair with ice traps for hilarious “frozen stew” combos
Mixing traps feels more intuitive thanks to an enhanced UI. I wound up chaining a conveyor belt trap into a series of pressurized air blasts, sending orcs flying into flame geysers—it’s daft, vicious fun.
New War Mage Customization
Max and Gabriella, the flagship War Mages, receive a serious makeover in the State of Slay update. Their skill trees now sport distinct branches that let you emphasize trap mastery, spellcasting prowess, or raw offensive power. I built a “Trap Tactician” Max with extra trap durability and cooldown reduction, while a “Burst Mage” Gabriella launched fireballs that shattered armored units in seconds.
Beyond skills, you can unlock cosmetic options—glowing runic tattoos, elemental staves, and armor sets dripping with spikes and skulls. It’s purely aesthetic, but seeing my War Mage crackling with ice glyphs made every run feel personalized. Best of all, these unlocks tie into the roguelite progression, giving each attempt the potential to refine your ideal build.
Expanded Roguelite Progression
Deathtrap’s roguelite layer has always been its secret sauce, and the PS5 update deepens this aspect significantly. Now, each run grants “Arcane Shards,” a meta-currency you spend on permanent upgrades: faster trap deployment, extra health, or novel spells. One run bumped my max mana by 20%, letting me unleash doom at a breakneck pace. Another unlocked a passive bonus that converted 15% of trap damage into mana refunds.
This meta layer cleverly balances risk and reward. Do you invest in a handful of cheap traps to clear early waves, or save shards for a late-game bomb that turns sieges into fireworks? I found myself debating these choices during intermission, pacing the War Mage’s tower workshop like a general plotting conquest. It’s addictive, and every decision shapes a clearer path to mastery.
Massive Four-Player Mayhem
PS5 finally brings true four-player co-op to Deathtrap, and it’s glorious chaos. Invite friends online or join random squads; the game effortlessly scales enemy waves and loot quality to your group size. I dove in with three brand-new recruits and quickly watched orc hordes surge in size—and savagery. Our traps barely held until we started layering abilities: one War Mage stunned groups in place, another set off acid floods, while two of us rained fire and lightning on the writhing masses.
The real thrill is in coordination. We devised a “kill corridor” with spike rails on the walls and a perpetual fire trap on the floor—perfection. Yet even on higher difficulty, a solo run remains tense, as enemy health and numbers adjust appropriately. The netcode felt rock-solid, and cross-region matches rarely suffered lag, making every spike-flinging fiesta seamless.
Visuals, Performance, and Haptic Feedback
On PS5, Deathtrap runs beautifully at a dynamic 4K resolution targeting 60 fps. Load times are nearly nonexistent—jumping between anchor points feels instant, which preserves the game’s frantic momentum. Visually, the new lighting effects cast realistic shadows over trap animations; watching molten iron splatter across orc armor has never looked better.
DualSense haptics add another layer of immersion. You’ll feel the rumble of each trap snap shut, the freeze of ice blasts, and the visceral kick when you land a critical spell. Adaptive triggers resist slightly as you charge spells, giving that satisfying “tension before release” sensation. These tactile touches reinforce the cartoonish brutality and make each kill more gratifying.
Classic Combat with Fresh Twists
At its core, PS5 Deathtrap remains the same addictive blend of action-RPG and tower defense that fans cherish. The combo of ragdoll physics and over-the-top gore never gets old—there’s something deeply satisfying about launching an orc into a spiked ceiling only to watch it plummet through a fiery trap. The pounding metal soundtrack and cheeky one-liners from your War Mage keep the tone delightfully irreverent.
This update refines rather than reinvents: trap placement feels more responsive, the camera transitions smoother during spellcasting, and enemy AI strikes a better balance between swarm tactics and boss intimidation. Veteran players will notice subtle improvements, while newcomers can hop right in without feeling overwhelmed.
All the Content, Day One
PS5 newcomers get the full Deathtrap experience from day one. Every free patch, balance tweak, and DLC drop since the PC and Xbox launch is included. That means new arena maps, challenge modes, and holiday-themed events are all unlocked at no extra cost. The standard digital edition is priced at $29.99, currently discounted 20% for the launch—just $23.99. If you pick it up soon, you’re essentially getting dozens of hours of content for less than $25.
Season Pass holders on other platforms will see their content carry over automatically, so there’s no fear of “missing out.” Whether you’re a series veteran or a complete rookie, you’ll have a gargantuan pile of maps, modes, and meta rewards waiting.
Should You Dive In? Final Verdict
If you’ve ever hollered “just one more run,” the PS5 State of Slay update is your dream come true. Tower-defense purists get deeper strategy with new traps and arenas. Action-RPG fans enjoy richer War Mage builds and meta progression that feels genuinely impactful. Four-player co-op turns each session into untamed bedlam, and DualSense enhancements make every skewer, blast, and explosion land with satisfying punch. At $23.99 on launch, it’s a steal for the sheer volume of content and polish.
Orcs must die—and on PS5, they’ve never looked or sounded more glorious in their demise. Whether you’re pickling them in acid pools or frying them with lightning traps, Deathtrap delivers a relentless, hilarious, and ever-evolving challenge. For war mages old and new, this is the ultimate battleground.