Deathloop (2021): The Review

Overview

Deathloop is a stylish and inventive first-person shooter from Arkane Studios that blends time-loop mechanics with immersive-sim gameplay. Players step into the shoes of Colt, an assassin trapped on the island of Blackreef, reliving the same day over and over as he hunts down eight key targets to break the loop. The game’s unique premise, stylish aesthetic, and fluid gunplay make for an engaging experience, but a lack of true freedom, repetitive elements, and an underwhelming payoff keep it from being a masterpiece.

Score: 7 out of 10

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The Positives ✅

Deathloop thrives on its inventive time-loop mechanic, turning trial and error into a core gameplay hook. Every run teaches you something new, an overheard conversation, a hidden shortcut, or the perfect way to set up a chain of assassinations, and using that knowledge to bend the loop in your favor is endlessly satisfying.

Its 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic style oozes personality. From the bold color palettes and sharp architecture to the slick typography and jazzy soundtrack, Blackreef feels like a stylish postcard from a twisted alternate history. The gunplay and supernatural powers are equally polished, mixing tight shooting mechanics with Dishonored-like abilities that encourage creativity, whether you’re going loud or ghosting through a district unseen.

The dynamic between Colt and Julianna is a constant wildcard. Their banter adds humor and charm, but it’s their unpredictable encounters, whether controlled by AI or another player, that keep you on edge. And anchoring it all are expertly designed levels that beg to be explored multiple times, each playthrough revealing new secrets, hidden routes, and bits of environmental storytelling that make Blackreef feel alive.

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The Negatives ⚠️

For all its clever design, Deathloop struggles to fully capitalize on its premise. The time-loop loses its magic once you’ve pieced together the core puzzle, after that, the thrill of experimentation gives way to going through familiar motions. And while Arkane’s past games thrived on player creativity, here you’re often funneled toward one “correct” solution, which undercuts the sense of freedom the concept promises.

The enemy AI doesn’t pull its weight, with foes that are more prone to running into your bullets than forcing you to think on your feet. That, combined with a repetitive structure, means that returning to the same four areas, no matter how stylish, can start to feel like a chore in the later hours.

Worse still, the ending fails to stick the landing. After hours of careful planning and puzzle-solving, the finale lacks both the emotional punch and gameplay twist that could’ve made the journey unforgettable. It’s a stylish ride, but one that coasts rather than sprints across the finish line.

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The Experience 🎮

Deathloop is a bold, stylish swing at something new, blending time-loop storytelling with Arkane’s signature immersive sim DNA. It’s at its best when you’re piecing together clues, pulling off the perfect assassination chain, and trading sharp banter with Julianna. The gunplay feels great, the powers are fun to experiment with, and the 1960s-inspired style makes every district of Blackreef pop.

That said, the cracks do show, from underwhelming AI to the game’s surprisingly rigid solutions and a finale that doesn’t quite deliver on the build-up. Once you’ve solved the loop, the incentive to dive back in drops sharply. It took me about 25 hours to beat, and while it’s not the genre-redefining masterpiece it could have been, it’s still a clever, enjoyable ride worth experiencing at least once.