Deathloop review

Exceptional

by Graham Kaletsky

DEATHLOOP isn't for me. The structure of the game is utterly bizarre for a time-loop type game. Time doesn't progress in real time but changes to a static set time for when you go to a new location. Also, the game doesn't take place on one big open island but in a few isolated locations that you select in a menu. None of this is explicitly bad but it wasn't what I expected from this type of game.

There is also another weird facet of this title that caught me off guard, colored loot tiers. I really don't like this kind of stuff in games most of time because it often feels shoehorned in and is only there to be a band-aid solution to not having enough unique items. The items that are present are good but just get used to the "blue" or "purple" variant of the same few weapons and trinkets. In addition to weapons, you can collect largely boring modifications like take less damage but do less damage, better recoil, more damage on low health, and other riveting items. There is another cool item type called "slabs" which are basically powers from dishonored and are all pretty fun to use. Another strange system is infusion. Since this is a time loop game, you will have to "start over" multiple times meaning that you'll lose all of the items that you collected. However, you can spend a currency to keep items between loops. Again, not explicitly bad but not something that I expected.

That is my experience with DEATHLOOP, not explicitly bad but not what I expected. Others will definitely find enjoyment in this title because it isn't bad, just not for me. I did enjoy gunplay and messing with slabs even if the AI is utterly braindead. I also liked the character interactions between Colt and Julianna. However, it's not enough to keep me playing.

I like the early story set up and the dialogue has been funny but the tutorial aspects are too dense and front loaded. There’s a ton of reading very early on and it’s a bit of a slow start gameplay wise. I’ve got a good feeling about this one though. 

I can now use residium to save equipment so I now feel more purpose. The maps feels clever based on the small sections I’ve seen so far, which I’d expect from the dishonoured creators. I like Juliana hunting me so far. It adds a fun level of intensity, I wish I knew when it was AI or a real person. I only just got my first slab and I haven’t even used it yet so I’m still early on. Decent start to the game and I can’t wait to see how it develops.

I wish you could  pause the game when you aren’t being invaded by a human. That would be nice and I don’t see why it can’t be done.

This game is funny and the more time ive spent paying attention to the little details the more I’ve liked it. The main story is entertaining, I like the banter between colt and Julianna, and the little side stories you come across have been solid as well. There have a been a few things I’ve discovered on my own that have been satisfying.

Now for some criticism. Not enough weapon variety or build progression in general. I essentially have used the same set up for almost the whole game. The changes have been subtle.

Deathloop has a ton of potential but it’s the type of game where most people won’t see all it really has to offer. For example, they have put in all this effort crafting a game with a ton of flexibility in how you play…except in reality I do pretty much the same thing all the time. Nexus people together for stealth kills until I’m caught and the. Shoot everybody. I always use shift and nexus because they are super versatile and I used mostly the same guns because I found certain guns better than others.

The ending isn’t as good as I hoped and the final loop is also kind of lame. I had high hopes for Deathloop, I anticipated it would be an A- or maybe even an A but it ends a high B+. There are still lots of great things about this game. The humour, the style, the writing and concept are fantastic but unfortunately i don’t think the gameplay loop is good enough. Pun intended. I liked it, but I thought I’d like it more.

Final Score: B+

The gameplay loop is great. This game isn't hard, it doesn't want you to stick to low chaos to get a good ending, you can kill and have fun all you want. It's just so fun to mess around in this sandbox of 'slate' powers, great arsenal, and rewarding level design. The amount of content DeathLoop has is just enough to finish it without frustration and boredom. You are allowed to do anything you want, and you better beliebe you will do it.

What came as a surprise to me is game's plot. I feel like a lot of what DeathLoop tried to achieve went over the heads of modern players. It went over my head too when I first completed the game. But the story is not conveyed as we are used today - through excessive dialogs and exposition. DeathLoop gives you just enough of its story to help you understand what is going on. But if you want to know more you have to dig deeper. You have to explore and find clues and tidbits of info about characters and the world. If you like exploring games stories you might find this even more rewarding then discovering a new gun or gear.

I loved the idea of not pointing the player torwards the next additional crucial detail about the story with bright marker so refreshing. The main game - sure, go right ahead, here is the marker for your objective. But not for the finest details. Made me remember all those times where I had to keep a piece of paper with pointers for games.