The Back 4 Blood story takes place after a catastrophic outbreak where most of humanity has either been killed or infected by the parasitic Devil Worm. Hardened by unspeakable events and emboldened to fight for the last of humanity, a group of apocalypse veterans called the Cleaners have rallied to take on the infected horrors known as the Ridden and reclaim the world. Back 4 Blood features thrilling, dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay and highly variable, customizable action to keep players coming back for more. 

Back 4 Blood includes a four-player cooperative story campaign in which the Cleaners must fight the Ridden and work together to survive increasingly challenging missions. Players can team-up online with drop-in and drop-out co-op to fight the ever-evolving Ridden threat together or play the campaign solo with three AI teammates. The game also features competitive multiplayer in which participants can play with or against friends in online PvP that supports up to eight players and teams take turns playing as both the Cleaners and the horrific Ridden. 

Back 4 Blood can be played online with a squad of four players or solo with up to three AI teammates. The game will also support up to eight players in online PvP (person versus person) multiplayer.

Revealed during E3 2021 as part of a discussion with Turtle Rock Studios’ Lead Game Designer, Brandon Yanez, the Back 4 Blood – PvP Gameplay Trailer shows off how this mode complements the game’s cooperative campaign elements with gut-wrenching action and its own twist on team-based strategy.

In Swarm mode, two squads of four will face off against each other in a best-of-three series of rounds as teams swap between playing as the Cleaners and the Ridden. Points are then awarded based on how long the Cleaners can stay alive and endure Ridden attacks, with the team that keeps the clock going the longest as Cleaners winning the match. 

Also unveiled today, the new Back 4 Blood PvP Playable Ridden Trailer provides a closer look at the different playable Ridden available in Swarm mode. While playing from the Ridden perspective, gamers can choose from nine Ridden variants, including the Tallboy, Bruiser, Crusher, Reeker, Exploder, Retch, Stinger, Hocker and Stalker. Each Ridden type has their own unique abilities that can be upgraded with enhancements called mutations, which can be used collectively to aid the team and help turn the tide as the match progresses.

Back 4 Blood's innovative Card System is a new rogue-lite feature that enhances your experience with each playthrough, ensuring every gameplay session is dynamic, intense and feels unique.

Players can easily jump right into the action by choosing a pre-made default deck or dive into the Card System’s vast customisation options to create their own fully personalised deck of cards.

Back 4 Blood takes advantage of an adaptive A.I. known as the Game Director, which works behind-the-scenes monitoring the actions, health, and choices of players. It responds accordingly by changing environmental conditions, adding obstacles, and unleashing special Ridden mutations through Card System modifiers known as Corruption Cards. Players can change up the gameplay by utilising specific cards to strategise against the Game Director, from amplifying equipment to reloading weapons, as they take on hordes of enemies in their path.

Back 4 Blood Open Beta will begin with an Early Access portion from Aug. 5-9 for those who pre-order the game.

Back 4 Blood is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PC on October 12, 2021.