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Deathloop
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Deathloop is a highly creative, brilliant timeloop shooter that combines classic Arkane stealth-shooter mechanics with a genuinely interesting premise.
Game Info
“DEATHLOOP” transports players to the lawless island of Blackreef in an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins. Explore stunning environments and meticulously designed levels in an immersive gameplay experience that lets you approach every situation any way you like. Hunt down targets all over the island in an effort to put an end to the cycle once and for all, and remember, if at first you don’t succeed… die, die again.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 137
Best Shooter (2021), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
37% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Shooter, Adventure
DEVELOPER(S):
- Arkane Studios
PUBLISHER(S):
- Bethesda Softworkds
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Multiplayer, Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Void Engine
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
137
Critic Reviews
88
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
60%
What did you think of Deathloop?
Player Reviews1 Vote
9
Matt Purslow (IGN)
September 13, 2021
10/10
Deathloop encases fun investigation work and satisfying combat in a unique time loop mechanic to create a tremendously satisfying adventure.
James West (GamesRadar+)
September 13, 2021
4.5/5 stars
Deathloop is a killer new-generation showcase that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Tamoor Hussain (GameSpot)
September 13, 2021
10/10
Arkane Lyon’s follow-up to Dishonored is a masterclass in open-ended action game design.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (137 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33bits | Diego Sierra | 95 / 100 | 09-22-2021 | Arkane adds another wonder to his resume. Deathloop gives a twist to the roguelike genre and does so with tremendous gameplay and very original mechanics that keep us glued to the screen. It is not a perfect game, it has small flaws that prevent it from reaching the maximum score, but it is undoubtedly a must have in every rule. | Read review |
| 3DNews | Михаил Пономарев | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Despite some technical and gameplay imperfections, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a gripping CRPG. | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Not Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is fun but it has a ton of problems identifying what it is, hedge wizard assassination game or slim wallet gun runner assassination game. nevertheless, the story is insanely good as it progresses. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Víctor Rodríguez | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a video game that maintains the characteristic elements of Arkane games: an outstanding level design, exceptional gameplay, an interesting story and a spectacular artistic section. A work with very few buts that has hooked me and fallen in love from beginning to end. | Read review |
| Ars Technica | Sam Machkovech | Not Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop may ultimately go down as my biggest gaming disappointment of 2021 | Read review |
| Atomix | Alberto Desfassiaux | 92 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | I think that despite having some rough edges here and there, Deathloop could be considered another great work of Arkane Studios, one that has undoubtedly remained for posterity and that I am sure, will reach that degree of cult of the Dishonored and Prey. Who would you recommend this title to? Well, basically if you are a fan of the work of this company, I would tell you that this new proposal has to be within your priorities yes or yes, I am sure you will love it. In the same way and as always when I have the opportunity to talk about Arkane’s work, I would tell you to give it a chance as soon as possible, because with Deathloop, we are talking about another of the great jewels of contemporary video game design thanks to its very fine design and shape. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Diego Perez | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop takes Arkane’s fantastic level design and world building and adds an interesting story with great characters on top, leaving you in a time loop that you won’t want to break. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Kosta Andreadis | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | It might take a flow-chart or two to understand its premise, but it takes experiencing a loop or two or three to discover its genius. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Javad Mohseni | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a very well crafted game that can be appealing to the majority of players, especially the fans of action and stealth genres. A solid gameplay structure combined with a mysterious story, beautiful visuals, memorable voice acting and very high replay values make the final package a must have. | Read review |
| Bazimag | Vahid Zohrabi Nejad | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane Studios has truly become one of the handful of studios that when they put their name on a product, we know it is going to deliver on all accounts and Deathloop is not only great at all the things it wanted to do but it is also a very powerful contender for the Game of the Year trophies, an absolute masterclass in video game development. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Julian Bieder | 8.7 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is the newest hit from Arkane Studios and even if it feels very familiar to Dishonored at the beginning, the gameplay loop changes everything. The studio captivates players again with a strong level design and the day and night cycle gets even more out of the different environments. In short, with Deathloop in your hands you’ll experience the best the studio has delivered so far and leaves little to be desired. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Zubi Khan | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | DEATHLOOP won’t be a game for everyone—however, if you are a fan of sandbox styled titles or if you just like games like Dishonored, DEATHLOOP is a familiar feeling experience presented in a unique way that makes it feel fresh and fun to play. | Read review |
| Checkpoint Gaming | Elliot Attard | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | DEATHLOOP is a cathartic blend of stealth, gunplay and powers that culminate in a satisfying gameplay loop as you explore the eccentric island of Blackreef. Whilst the narrative payoffs don’t always live up to the intriguing premise, there’s an undeniable sense of style and substance that help carry the game into really favourable territory. Knowledge really is power in DEATHLOOP and there’s a pleasurable novelty to much of the game’s design that allows it to feel engaging even when the player’s hand is held a little too tightly. Even within a year of time loop releases, DEATHLOOP stands out as its own unique beast worth experiencing. | Read review |
| Chicas Gamers | Sandra Sánchez | Recommended | 09-20-2021 | Deathloop is an amazing game where you have to breack the temporal loop. You will reset the same day after you get died, but, each time will be different. Getting some clues and information, you will be more preapred for the fight and to break the loop. This videogame has a wide range of options, so this way you can choose whatever you preffer based on your way of playing, that’s really interesting. Break the loops and save your life, you can’t miss Deathloop. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Mark Steighner | 90 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | If you thought Groundhog Day would have been even more awesome with guns and assassinations or that Dishonored would have been a better game if only Quentin Tarantino had directed it, you’d probably enjoy Deathloop. Despite some issues with pacing, bugs, AI, and mechanical clarity, Deathloop is smart, funny, intricately designed, and driven by engaging action, cool puzzles, and relative freedom to approach its objectives in various ways. Deathloop is an addictive and rewarding shooter and one of the most ambitious action games this year. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Neil Flynn | 9 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | It seems that repetition is winning the day, so if at first you don’t succeed try try again. The complexities and permutations in Deathloop are initially overwhelming and confusing, the intro attempts to explain so much by way of plot, mechanics and characterisation in a very short space of time. However, work past this point and the fun begins, with a sense of exploration and an arsenal of weapons and attacks making combat feel very rewarding. The story, despite at times being told through messages and text is well voiced acted, despite the incessant need to swear. Pulling off stealth kills or killing one of the eight main characters after figuring out how to infiltrate their plans makes players feel they have outwitted their computer counterpart. If there was one title to buy on PlayStation 5 right now that is truly next gen, then make sure Deathloop is at the top of that list. | Read review |
| Cultured Vultures | Stephen Wilds | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is an awesomely entertaining ride with stealth and puzzle elements that help make it feel like the big crazy sci-fi adventure it wants to be. | Read review |
| Daily Mirror | James Ide | 4 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | With an intriguing story and compelling gameplay, Deathloop is one of the most original and gripping games to come out in the past few years. One of the best parts of Deathloop is after you solve one mystery, often several more take their place, requiring you to keep digging. With multiple weapons, slags and trinkets to experiment with the games offer a huger number of variables to help mix up the game and For a game about repetition, these elements make it incredibly fresh. With Julianna waiting in the wings to finish you off, adding an element of delicious, unpredictable danger to an already gripping game. | Read review |
| DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 9 / 10 | 10-11-2021 | A mind boggling, time twisting race right to its final act makes Deathloop an instant classic, and an essential title that I’m sure many will be talking about for years to come. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Chris Carter | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop combines a classic Arkane stealthy-shooty foundation with a genuinely interesting and fun premise to aplomb. This is going to be on a lot of Game of the Year lists. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Ben Sheene | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop brilliantly transcends its shackles as an amalgamation of “Arkane’s Greatest Hits” by offering players a thrilling, stylish take on shooters. Combat puzzles involving webs of untruths and harrowing escapes turn Blackreef into a time loop you won’t want to break from. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | Giovanni Colantonio | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop isn’t afraid to take experimental swings, and many of them pay off. It’s a stylish action game that’s entertaining in every gear. Players never have to choose between stealthily exploration and hectic shootouts; they’re encouraged to tackle a situation in as many ways as they can think of to concoct a perfect crime. It’s less successful when it comes to its forced multiplayer component, though it’s hard to blame Arkane Studios for trying something new. You don’t get innovation without iteration. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Unknown | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-16-2021 | Deathloop is a game that takes the ideas driving the immersive sim genre to new heights. Purists may take issue with the way it breaks from some of the genre’s traditions, but what it offers instead is something unlike anything else out there: a cleverly implemented time loop system that feeds into everything else, and opens the doors to a whole lot of new opportunities for the creative problem solving that sits at the heart of these games. That it does it all with a sense of style and confidence that few other games can match is icing on the cake. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Sam Woods | 9.5 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | Deathloop is a game that will be talked about for a long time and one that will undoubtedly be in the running for Game of the Year 2021. Its well-crafted systems, gripping narrative threads and quasi-choose your own adventure style gameplay make it the best Next-Gen title so far. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Ben Moore | 4 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a mind-bendingly good time. | Read review |
| Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Recommended | 09-20-2021 | Deathloop it’s one of the most exciting and conceptually complexed games of the year, that it’s quite simple to follow and a ton of fun to play. | Read review |
| EGM | Josh Harmon | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop layers a refined take on Arkane’s signature mix of ability-driven action and stealth onto a time-looping premise, and the result is one of most memorable games of recent years. While many of the pieces may be familiar, the combination is fresh and full of surprises. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Edwin Evans-Thirlwell | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | A brilliant timeloop shooter that gives Dishonored’s best tricks and techniques more opportunity to shine. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Alessandro Bruni | 8.2 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is an original, visionary and courageous work, a playful experiment that returns to reiterate the indisputable talent of the Arkane Studios team, which over the years has never stopped putting itself to the test with ever new challenges, often in line with the commercial logic of the triple A market. The result of the studio’s latest creative bet is a brilliant game design exercise, at the base of a ludonarrative construct as multifaceted as it is compelling, blessed by an absolutely majestic artistic direction. Deathloop is a one-of-a-kind game, which unfortunately is torn from excellence by some rather important flaws. | Read review |
| Expansive | Sam Diglett | Recommended | 09-22-2021 | Deathloop just works on every level and will be a game I’ll revisit time and time again. It may be one of the final Bethesda games PlayStation owners will be able to get their hands on, but it’s undoubtedly one of the very best they’ve ever published. | Read review |
| Explosion Network | Ciaran Marchant | 8 / 10 | 09-26-2021 | Deathloop’s ending leaves plenty of questions and may not satisfy everyone, but there is plenty to love about the game and plenty more to see when another instalment graces our press conferences. | Read review |
| FingerGuns | Greg Hicks | 9 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | A concept that originally seems daunting, once you get into the central mechanic of Deathloop, it all makes sense. Be prepared to die again and again, remapping the same perpetual day out in a variety of different ways to hunt your targets. Arkane have refined their craft once more, delivering a densely packed world with so, so much to do. And as always, an insane variety in how to kill and look good doing it. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Blake Hester | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a rare game I started replaying as soon as the credits finished rolling. Now deep in a second playthrough, I’m still discovering new secrets and ways to play | Read review |
| Game Rant | Dalton Cooper | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Arkane Studios hits it out of the park with Deathloop, an infinitely entertaining first-person shooter stealth game with an intriguing PvP twist. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Mack Ashworth | 4 / 5 stars | 09-20-2021 | In order to avoid the tedium organically produced by playing the same level over and over, Arkane has implemented a truly magical multiplayer component, one that has the potential to offer top-tier multiplayer moments. Unfortunately, the weak recon missions made too easy by the lack of challenge from AI enemies, the small number of maps that are quickly mastered, and the limited variety in gameplay burdened by uninspired upgrades, ultimately prevent Deathloop from reaching the highest of highs. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Thomas Pillon | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a unique mix between FPS, sci-fi and mystery in a 70’s case. Trapped in a time loop, Colt Vahn must understand and memorize every nook and cranny of a strange island and it’s strange cast of vilains. Despite some kind of redundancy in its last hours, Deathloop is an intelligent, beautiful, singular and well-written adventure not to miss. | Read review |
| Gamefa | سجاد باقریان | 9.5 / 10 | 10-01-2021 | It should be said that in making Deathloop, the studio has achieved its main goal of presenting a fascinating story, a vibrant environment and a variety of gameplay, and some small flaws in the field of artificial intelligence and the online section can’t stop the superbness of the Deathloop game. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Adam Kerr | 10 / 10 | 09-14-2021 | Deathloop is a creative masterpiece. Refining everything that is excellent about Arkane Studios previous titles, it takes every single dial and cranks it up to 11. | Read review |
| GameMAG | Семен Страндов | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Consistency is the mother of mastery. And DEATHLOOP is another consistent release of Arkane Studios. For newcomers this game can serve as a great entry point to the Arkane portfolio. While all the hadcore fans will surely get what they expect from this title, even with this new and experimental format. There’s no better place for experiments than in the endless time loop, after all. | Read review |
| GamePro | Hannes Rossow | 90 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | Access to Deathloop can be a bit cumbersome, but the mysterious time loop shooter rewards patient players with clever gameplay and an outstanding story. | Read review |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 6.8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop has a rather unique premise to it, but it misses the mark in the execution being littered with numerous issues that plague an overall solid experience. | Read review |
| Gamers Heroes | Johnny Hurricane | 6 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is in a weird spot. It isn’t as good as Dishonored, but I also don’t expect to see another game in the series. If you want to support the studio or need a Dishonored fix, this will help…but honestly, the game isn’t that fun. | Read review |
| Gamersky | 细拉 | 8.4 / 10 | 09-17-2021 | Level targets have many ways to complete, and players can switch between fighting and sneaking at any time. Julianna’s “invasion” adds to the uncertainty of the game, but the tension can also disrupt the player’s gaming experience. Many bugs in the process, will occasionally affect the player’s mood when playing. | Read review |
| GamesBeat | Jeff Grubb | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | And the best thing I can say about Deathloop — after 12-ish hours with it — is that all I want is to go back and play more of it. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Justin Koreis | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop takes elements from games like Bioshock and Dishonored, combining them with a Groundhogs Day like timeloop to create the coolest, most stylish, and best game of the year. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Kim Snaith | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is seriously slick. It’s a game that entrusts its players to engage with its systems in their own way, and while you’ll never at be a loss on what to do, you won’t have your hand held, either. It’s fast, it’s smooth, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. I almost don’t want the loop to end, quite frankly. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Tamoor Hussain | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane Lyon’s follow-up to Dishonored is a masterclass in open-ended action game design. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Josh West | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a killer new-generation showcase that will keep you guessing until the very end | Read review |
| GameWatcher | Bogdan Robert | 8 / 10 | 09-20-2021 | Hiding in plain sight using an upgraded Aether slab and surprising and invading Julianna with a swift machete stab she never saw coming. | Read review |
| Gaming Nexus | Charlie Coleman | 9.5 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | Deathloop is one of the finest, most unique experiences in the video game space in recent memory. Sure, it’s got that familiar Arkane feel, but the amalgamation of all of Deathloop’s various influences, genuinely comedic writing, great voice acting, intricate level design, and an engaging, mysterious story that unfolds as you play make Deathloop an absolute joy to play. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Ravi Sinha | 7 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | If your prefer your time-looping adventures to be more stylish and violence-oriented, then Deathloop may be for you. Even with its various issues, there is satisfaction to be had in learning each map and completing the perfect series of assassinations. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | David Burdette, David Flynn | 80 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop walks a bit of a fine line, but overall has enough fun ideas to keep things mostly fresh and fun for Colt and Julianna players alike. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Prans Dunn | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2021 | Deathloop makes re-runs fun like never before. | Read review |
| Geek Culture | Jake Su | 9.1 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop solidifies Arkane Studios’ standing as one of the best developers out there in delivering unique experiences that make repeating certain content fun and exciting. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Juan Jesús | 8.5 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | The theme of Deathloop is pure fantasy, well-designed areas and that we can see the hallmark of the studio in each of them. However, it suffers from several problems in its optimization, but nothing serious that cannot be solved in future equalizations. Its gameplay is a delight with each new weapon and ingenuity that we get, yes, you must first get to safety to be able to get them. The campaign mode has some limitations and we can do something past at the beginning and repetitive, but when we play a few hours we will gain greater fluidity in the movements and a spectacular gunplay. | Read review |
| Gert Lush Gaming | Jim Smale | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Anyone wanting a different challenge need to play DeathLoop as there isn’t anything else like it on the market. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Chris White | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a magnificently unstructured FPS filled with loads of weapons and abilities that never stops being fun. | Read review |
| GotGame | Paul Jennette | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Truly, I love Deathloop. It’s the most exciting new AAA title I’ve played in quite a while. The learning curve is always challenging, but never frustrating. From the moment it started, the premise sucked me in and made me care about what was going on. I’m happy to say that this is a case in which delays really did a game a lot of good. Deathloop is easily one of the best titles to come out this year. Arkane Studios put their best foot forward in trying times and delivered an instant classic. | Read review |
| GRYOnline.pl | Unknown | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | First of all, Deathloop surprised me, because I didn’t wait that much for its premiere, not knowing what the game would be there. And then he immediately captivated and kept in emotion until the very end. The rest of the titles planned for this year look boring and uninteresting. | Read review |
| Guardian | Keith Stuart | 5 / 5 stars | 09-15-2021 | This time-loop shooter interrogates the inherent repetition of video games – or just lets you revel in supremely choreographed mayhem | Read review |
| GuiltyBit | David Pérez | 9 / 10 | 09-26-2021 | Arkane puts a twist on his seasoned formula. The best of his other works can be found here. Gameplay, level design, mechanics … All at the service of a Rogue-Like structure, which the studio has managed to bring to its field. Deathloop will not leave anyone indifferent, we assure you. | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Kyle LeClair | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is another incredible title from Arkane, once again putting their skills in developing both quality stealth and first-person action to good use and blending it with time loops in order to create one of the year’s most memorable games. | Read review |
| Hey Poor Player | Francis DiPersio | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | If you’ve been waiting for the PlayStation 5’s first true killer app, this is it. Deathloop is an innovative and satisfying take on the shooter genre that you can’t afford to miss. Developer Arkane Studios has managed Dishonored‘s rock-solid foundation and hone it to a razor’s edge. With a rewarding progression system and a gameplay loop that encourages experimentation and exploration, you can’t help but wonder why Colt would ever want to break this cycle. Sprawling, cerebral, and consistently exciting, Deathloop deserves a spot in every shooter fan’s PS5 library. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | David Martinez | 90 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | Although there are some elements from Dishonored in the game, Arkane Studios delivers a unique FPS, with great characters an intriguing story and a wise use of time loops. There are some technical issues here and there, but we loved the experience. | Read review |
| IGN | Matt Purslow | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop encases fun investigation work and satisfying combat in a unique time loop mechanic to create a tremendously satisfying adventure. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Davide Mancini | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane did it again. Deathloop is a deep and greatly fun immersive sim in disguise, with strong characters, an interesting narrative and a beautifully handcrafted creative gameplay. Blackreef is a wonderful playground where freedom really matters and where amazing happens. | Read review |
| IGN Middle East | Mufaddal Fakhruddin | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is full of intrigue, clever ideas and a robust world design that is genuinely something different and unique. It’s problems with the inconsistent AI seems like a minor nitpick for what is an engrossing adventure, that uses various elements like time loop, roguelike elements, and RPG loot progression, and blends them into a seamless and highly enjoyable experience. Arkane rarely misses, and Deathloop is a perfectly aligned shot. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Rafa Del Río | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Those of us who love to get into the game, learn more about its world and eavesdrop, read emails on terminals and rack our brains to get into places without being shot at, are in luck: with Deathloop we have a great game for a while. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | Chris O’Connor | 5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Grab a copy and start dying as soon as you can! | Read review |
| Jump Dash Roll | Ant Barlow | 10 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Everything about Deathloop is so clever and well balanced. Discovering Blackreef and all of its mysteries will stick with me for a long time. | Read review |
| JVL | L_sK | 7.5 / 10 | 09-25-2021 | With Deathloop, Arkane Lyon has at least two merits: that of launching a new IP, the industry needs it continuously, and trying to think outside the box, while keeping their trademark as well as their strengths. Its multiplayer part, as long as it involves a real player and not the AI, brings a tension that we would not have suspected without getting our hands on it. What’s more, it has the luxury of combining successful FPS gameplay with a level design that, once again, demonstrates all the talent of the developers (if there was any need for yet another proof). | Read review |
| Kinda Funny Games | Kinda Funny Games | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Video review. | Read review |
| Luis Alamilla | Luis Alamilla | 9 / 10 | 09-17-2021 | Deathloop will no doubt be remembered for its ability to seamlessly weave together story points through a masterfully planned sandbox that was equally fun to explore as much as it was to learn about. I keep telling myself, Deathloop just doesn’t sound like a game I would like on paper. A game where you have to keep exploring the same areas over and over again until you have the right tools to finally beat it. However, it’s how it goes about giving you those details while still making each run feel rewarding and worthwhile that ultimately makes this Metroidvania shooter hybrid, one of the most brilliant executions of storytelling in a first-person shooter. | Read review |
| M3 | Raphael Cano Felix | 8 / 10 | 09-14-2021 | Arkane Studios Deathloop grabs you tightly with a mix of smart gameplay and mysterious storytelling. The open world presented in the time loop engages, while also inviting a lot of experimentation. If you get past the information bomb that is the first half hour of the game, you can look forward to a unique shooter with great freedom of choice and variety. | Read review |
| Merlin’in Kazanı | Ersin Kılıç | 84 / 100 | 09-14-2021 | Deathloop is not only this year, but one of the most original and different productions we have come across recently. It is really enjoyable to see the map in different ways at different times of the day and to try to complete this big puzzle with the clues you find. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 7 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Not quite a misfire but while the action is highly entertaining this time-looping adventure squanders much of its premise on disappointingly straightforward objectives and a curiously tame portrayal of unchecked hedonism. | Read review |
| MMORPG.com | Joseph Bradford | 9 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | Deathloop is one of the best games to hit in 2021. It’s confident, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it combines what makes Arkane games great – and makes it better. | Read review |
| MonsterVine | Spencer Legacy | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-21-2021 | Deathloop is a remarkable shooter that combines an intriguing story with exciting gameplay and a brilliant atmosphere. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 80 / 100 | 09-21-2021 | Deathloop is able to break the cycle of repetitive AI encounters and uneven performance thanks to an interesting story, strong characters, and enticing exploration. | Read review |
| Next Gen Base | Ben Ward | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is an excellent video game which truly showcases what Arkane are capable of as a studio. The time loop mechanic is used almost to perfection here, with your eight targets shifting across the four areas and time periods. Each loop will feed you with more information that you can then use to plan out the perfect run, knocking out your eight targets to break the loop and get off the island. The invasion mechanic is implemented extremely well, and I can only imagine the furious texts you’ll get from a friend as you jump in and kill them off for the umpteenth time. It looks gorgeous, it runs really well, and you should absolutely play it. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | Jonathan White | 8.5 / 10 | 09-15-2021 | Overall, I’d say that Arkane Studios may have possibly dropped the best game in the middle of this quality game drought we’re currently in (but I haven’t played Tales of Arise yet.) Deathloop isn’t nearly as original as it is refreshing and inventive. In fact, you could argue that Deathloop borrows the very best elements of everything that it rips off pays homage to and manages to stitch it together with a quality that’s not quite designer level, but considerably more convincing than a Wal-Mart brand knockoff. | Read review |
| NoesPaisparaFrikis | Impozible Julin | 9.3 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Deathloop is in its own right in all pools for the GOTY 2021 | Read review |
| Noisy Pixel | Azario Lopez | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is for detective nerds who just want to blow shit up. Each moment of this game offers some insane new plot twists and discoveries that further highlights how amazing the writing is. Players are rewarded through exploration, but at the cost that they could lose it all if they die in the process. It’s an experience that demands a keen eye and patience at times to unlock everything it has to offer, but at least the dumb enemies will rarely get in your way. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Onur Kaya | 9 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | Feeling like the work of a gourmet chef and as innovative as Death Stranding, Deathloop is quite possibly Arkane’s Magnum Opus. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Moises Taveras | 9 / 10 | 09-15-2021 | While I can nitpick about Deathloop’s shortcomings, I’d rather just point you to a game that’s a joy to play, confident in itself, touts two wonderful Black leads, looks wonderful, and rewards you for thinking outside the box. While it doesn’ quite feel like an evolution of the formula, it’s almost assuredly Arkane’s most feature-complete and refined take on it. Like I said at the top of this review, Deathloop is countless things, and most of them are great. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Phil Savage | 89 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | A thoughtful response to Dishonored that makes for an entertaining stealth shooter in its own right, but it’s the multiplayer invasions that make Deathloop sing. | Read review |
| PC Invasion | Jason Rodriguez | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Outside of some annoying crashes and mishaps, Deathloop remains a stellar game with a brilliant premise, refreshing mechanics, and delightful characters. You’ll repeat the same day and retread the same paths over and over. But, replayability is enhanced given how you’ll discover new secrets and abilities to help you progress. | Read review |
| PCGamesN | Ian Boudreau | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | A true tour de force from Arkane that is bound to be one of the year’s best and most important games. | Read review |
| PCMag | Tony Polanco | 4 / 5 stars | 09-21-2021 | Deathloop’s mind-bending time mechanic, captivating art style, open-ended gameplay, and colorful cast of characters create a captivating shooter experience that you shouldn’t miss. | Read review |
| Player2.net.au | Matt Hewson | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is both unique and familiar, subverting time, gameplay and expectations in equal measure. A mystery worth solving and experience worth having, there is nothing on this planet quite like Deathloop | Read review |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | Chandler Wood | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | There isn’t anything else quite like Deathloop. It’s a riveting detective mystery, plays with time loops in unique ways, and never feels like it slows down, even in those stealthier moments. It’s a game that’s thought out top-to-bottom, with two perfect leads heralding the charge and a unique multiplayer component that feels central to everything that Deathloop is, without ever getting in the way. Whether you’re looking to break the loop or preserve it, Blackreef is certainly worth the visit. You may find yourself as stuck there too. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | John-Paul Jones | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is not only one of the most conceptually ambitious and well executed games ever made, but Arkane’s PlayStation swansong also has a boundless energy and ingenuity that no other game can match. Quite simply, Deathloop is an unparalleled synergy of first-person shooter design, explorative bliss and narrative complexity that we likely won’t see again for a very, very long time. | Read review |
| Polygon | Tauriq Moosa | Recommended | 09-14-2021 | Deathloop is a strange but wondrous beast. It’s a time-management game where I built a precision murder machine to effect a carefully plotted rampage. It’s also a story about a man finding out who he is and why he’s being hunted by a young woman who knows everything about him. Time is Colt’s prison, yet also the source of his power. | Read review |
| Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 8 / 10 | 09-14-2021 | Arkane Lyon’s day-repeating shooter is a refreshing treat in a season filled with numbered sequels and licensed properties | Read review |
| PowerUp! | Adam Mathew | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is never anything less than absolute edge-of-your-seat gaming | Read review |
| Press Start | Brodie Gibbons | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | It’s not an easy thing Arkane has done here in serving up a genuinely fresh take on one of the medium’s most enduring genres. Deathloop redefines what a shooter can be, and the developer has used their entire toolkit to get there. Satisfying action, world-building that’s second-to-none, style and substance, and a genuinely enthralling riddle at the centre, Deathloop delivers it all. And it’s through these triumphs that Deathloop earns its place in the first-person shooter pantheon, and puts its hand up during Game of the Year talks. | Read review |
| pressakey.com | Tim Bissinger | Recommended | 09-29-2021 | Another day, another loop, and with each new timeloop, Deathloop has me even more impressed. This Murder Puzzle on Blackreef is a highly engaging sandbox for experimental players, and a surprisingly complex detective game with its heart in the right place and the loop in every last detail of its DNA. | Read review |
| PSX Brasil | Bruno Henrique Vinhadel | 85 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane manages to leave its DNA clearly in one more game and it uses several other current mechanics very well. However, the player will still suffer at the beginning of Deathloop, having to go through a long and exhausting learning curve. Despite that, after mastering and understanding how the game works, it will be possible to enjoy a great and fun title. | Read review |
| Push Square | Liam Croft | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Few games have the confidence and swagger of Deathloop. Packed full of charisma and wit, it’s a game that can be played your way, with your own style and cunning. A very accomplished package of gameplay features supplies the goods, and the time loop delivers fun and deceitful opportunities over and over again. | Read review |
| Rapid Reviews UK | Seb Hawden | 5 / 5 stars | 09-27-2021 | Ever feel like you are just playing the same day over and over? Feel like you are stuck in a rut? Well, in Deathloop from Arkane Studios on the PlayStation 5, you are. It’s like Groundhog Day with guns, supernatural abilities and murder. I had seen a little on the title before I slipped the disc into my PlayStation 5 but little did I know what I was letting myself in for. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Dave Rodriguez | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | A great story, clever twist, and fantastic level design come together to make an unforgettable experience. Arkane Lyon has truly created their best game ever. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Brendan Caldwell | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | A time-looping shooter with funny dialogue and a very powerful boot, where stealth is just the thing that goes wrong before a good fight. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | محمد ليلة | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Excellent experience overall, energized ambiance with satirical music, which brings us a unique blend. There is some conservatism of the behavior of enemies with AI, but it didn’t hinder the experience and didn’t detract from its fun. Deathloop is really akin to “Dishonored with guns”! | Read review |
| Saving Content | Scott Ellison II | 5 / 5 stars | 09-17-2021 | DEATHLOOP succeeds at the artistry of repetition with tight gameplay and the interplay between its systems. While the structure strays from what they’re known for, this is undeniably Arkane. In a lot of ways, this feels like a ‘Greatest Hits of Arkane’, offering a little something from all of their games. It’s a next-generation experience I won’t soon forget. I never tired of having to do the same kinds of things again and again. The loops are done are on your terms, giving you full agency. DEATHLOOP is the paragon of immersive sims, and standard bearer for the time loop sub-genre. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Leo Faierman | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | For fans of the modern Hitman series, Arkane’s outstanding catalog, and great-feeling FPS games in general, Deathloop is highly recommended; just go into the wild narrative with tempered expectations for self-directed play. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Ondrej Džurdženík | 8.5 / 10 | 09-17-2021 | Groundhog Day with assassin offers unique gameplay but weak AI and story narration. And some technical issues. | Read review |
| Shacknews | TJ Denzer | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Colt and Julianna’s rivalry keeps the tension and stakes high and it’s a loop I’ll be going back to over and over again, whether to break it or break other players for trying to break it. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Lexuzze Tablante | 7 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | I enjoyed my time in Deathloop with all the moments of killing Visionaries with a hacked ballistic turrets to a gratifying ending, but I can’t dismiss the problems I see in the game. Overall, this isn’t Arkane’s best creation yet, but it does feel homage for speedrunners and die-hard Dishonored fans. I recommend the game when it goes on sale, or if you’re a die-hard Arkane fan. | Read review |
| Skill Up | Ralph Panebianco | Not Recommended | 12-17-2021 | Video Review | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 3.5 / 5 stars | 10-02-2021 | It’s worth noting that the main mechanical difference between Deathloop and Dishonored is that you can kill without moral consequence here. That’s liberating, but while it’s nice, and hilarious, that kicking enemies into the ocean is such a key part of Deathloop’s gameplay, there isn’t a whole lot that’s interesting about that. For a stealthy FPS that prides itself on the steady accumulation of power and understanding, the game also rarely makes either one feel particularly exhilarating. But, in the end, Deathloop’s almost perversely ironic saving grace is that it’s populated with charismatic weirdos who are just as irked about that as you are. | Read review |
| Softpedia | Cosmin Vasile | 7 / 10 | 09-19-2021 | If you have the patience to put together the story you will find it quite appealing, the level design is as brilliant as ever, but on the other hand the maps are really small, and the combat system is half baked. Overall if you expect another Prey or Dishonored you will be disappointed, but if you are looking for an action game that is quirky and different you might have fun with it. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 8.2 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is based on Dishonored foundations and uses many of its level design tropes. It must be considered a smaller project, but a very brilliant one, with very good ideas and an intriguing game concept. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Steve Wright | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | The positives easily outweigh the negatives; Deathloop offers up a highly enjoyable gameplay loop shrouded in mystery. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Paul Lombardo | 6.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop tries its best to live up to the reverence of preceding games like Dishonored and Prey. Unfortunately for the residents of Blackreef island, it comes up a bit short in its execution of new ideas, resulting in some limitations and jarring qualities. | Read review |
| Telegraph | Tom Hoggins | 5 / 5 stars | 09-14-2021 | Dishonored developer Arkane makes its pitch for game of the year with this deliciously complex Kubrickian timeloop | Read review |
| The Game Crater | Jayden Hellyar | 8 / 10 | 09-26-2021 | Deathloop is a great game that offers excellent gunplay and abilities with only a few minor cons. However, it doesn’t feel it could be anyone’s favourite game, and you could find a better experience in Arkane’s previous titles. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Alessandro Alosi | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is an unusual but fascinating game to be experienced in one breath as a superb noir thriller in which, however, we are the killer. The AI is out of place compared to the rest of the game and it’s not a perfect game, but it’s not afraid to dare, it has style in spades, shows the creative team’s burning passion in every corner and when finally get that perfect loop, the satisfaction is immeasurable. | Read review |
| The Outerhaven Productions | Conner B | 5 / 5 stars | 09-14-2021 | Deathloop is an exercise in trial and error, you must use the knowledge you have gained from previous loops to set your pawns in place in order to strike at the heart of the loop. It’s like the worlds most elaborate game of chess. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Aran Suddi | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is the kind of game that will get in your head and stay there even when you’re not playing. Colt is a great protagonist, the intricate environmental design is a dream to explore, and the loop system keeps things fresh and offers so much replayability. Simply put, Deathloop is fantastic. | Read review |
| ThisGenGaming | Justin Oneil | 9 / 10 | 09-18-2021 | Deathloop is a smart, stylish first-person shooter full of great writing and some really cool puzzle solving. It has some issues when it comes to AI and the conclusion wasn’t exactly satisfying but the rest of it is quite brilliant. | Read review |
| Thumbsticks | Aaron Bayne | 5 / 5 stars | 09-22-2021 | Deathloop is an absolutely essential title for PS5 and PC players. It is the absolute pinnacle of game design, that makes the player put in the work, but the resulting experience is worth living through time and time again. | Read review |
| TrueGaming | Unknown | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane Studios has provided a unique game as expected from the beginning. | Read review |
| TrustedReviews | Ryan Jones | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is one of the most innovative games from a major publisher that I’ve ever played, using the time loop mechanic to fantastic effect. With lots of clever puzzles and engaging combat, as well as a genius multiplayer element, this is one of the best games of 2021 yet. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Alex Gibson | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Also, again, it’s just so damn fun to play. And I think for a developer whose games have always been so clever and innovative to behold but not necessarily entertaining without a fair dose of punishment along the way, that’s hugely important. Deathloop is still signature Arkane in terms of exemplary immersive-sim design, reminiscent of BioShock and Dishonored, but it also puts a giant smile on your face each and every time you play. Quite whether that’s enough to see it succeed at a mainstream level remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt it’s another stellar title on the resume of an esteemed studio. It might even be its best. | Read review |
| Unboxholics | Γιώργος Πρίτσκας | Recommended | 09-28-2021 | Deathloop seems at times like an attempt by Arkane to make its distinctive formula more accessible, so that it can finally boost its mainstream appeal. But we are always talking about a title of the highest quality, with a concept and a structure that are masterfully executed, an excellent multiplayer and a multi-level and creative gameplay. | Read review |
| VG247 | Alex Donaldson | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | It’s one of my favourite games of the year | Read review |
| VGC | Jon Bailes | 5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is slick and inventive, with a delicious sense of style and humour. One of the smartest and most outright entertaining games of the year. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Paul Broussard | 7 / 10 | 09-19-2021 | Deathloop is a good game that’s just a little too afraid to fully take its hands off the wheel and let the player drive. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Josh Wise | 8 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | More than felling each Visionary, however, and piecing together the history of Blackreef, I relished uncovering more about Colt. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | 09-24-2021 | In that way, “Deathloop” is a big winking self-reference. It is not really a social space, even with (limited) multiplayer. It is not a shop, or a metaverse or a simulation. It is not film, and efforts to translate it to prestige TV would snuff out its red hot heart. It is not borne of a producer’s latent anxieties about games being kids’ table fare. It is a game with ambitions to be great at being a game, and mostly just that. It exists in a clear lineage of games. It includes games, and is about games. It is refreshing to participate in something that is so itself. | Read review |
| WayTooManyGames | Jason Palazini | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Arkane wants players to discover Deathloop as Colt does. The final product is an incredible experience that feels like a matured Borderlands with a massive helping of class and supernatural powers. I’m yet undecided as to whether or not this has dethroned Dishonored, but I will be coming back to Deathloop for many cycles to come. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | David Morgan | 4 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop, summarized, is “Arkane does Hitman.” It glorifies its repetition, and never feels unrewarding, especially when taking down a player-controlled Juliana. I want to re-immerse myself in its world, pick apart its secrets, and master its systems. Not everything works seamlessly, but taken as a whole it’s an immersive sim sandbox of unmatched proportions. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Kieran Stockton | 9 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop takes Arkane’s well known brand of first-person action stealth and artfully melds it into a time-bending multi-assassination power fantasy. | Read review |
| Windows Central | Brendan Lowry | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is one of Arkane’s finest games yet, featuring incredible gameplay, excellent levels, tons of charm, and writing that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Watch out for the overly demanding specs and the occasional performance dip on PC, though. | Read review |
| Worth Playing | Chris “Atom” DeAngelus | 8.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is an engaging and enjoyable game that manages to capture the feel of Dishonored in a more fast-paced adventure. The unique setting and engaging concept carry the game through the repetitive nature of the gameplay. The multiplayer at the center of the story is more of a mixed bag but still intriguing enough to be memorable. Some annoying bugs drag down the experience. If you liked Dishonored but wished it were less about stealth and more about blowing things up, then Deathloop is the game for you. Just be prepared to die again and again. | Read review |
| Zoomg | محمدحسین جعفریان | 8.5 / 10 | 09-20-2021 | With all this if you want to essentially challenge your creativity as a gamer, Deathloop reminds us why we love Arkane. | Read review |
| ZTGD | Terrence Johnson | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | Deathloop is a fantastic game and worth the price of admission, my hope is that it is not left by the wayside due to its exclusivity and the sub sequential buyout of publisher Bethesda by Microsoft. I know a lot of fans feel they need to be on one side of this or the other, but I am here to tell you that Deathloop is a great game and worthy of a playthrough wherever you choose to experience it. Deathloop is probably one of the best examples of really blending those rogue-lite elements into an otherworldly and excellent story, freedom of choice, tight controls and a delightful cast of characters all wrapped in a beautiful package. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
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