Console corner
Console Corner: Deathloop review
Every now and then a game comes along which makes you sit up and say ‘wow’.
Deathloop – the new timed PS5 exclusive from Arkane Studios–is one of those games.
You play the role of Colt, an assassin who is stuck in a time loop, waking up on a beach at the island of Blackreef.
The other residents of Blackreef, a former army base where strange experiments had once been held, have investedin the island and have gathered to hold a party that seemingly lasts forever –since, at the end of each night, the island resets to the start of that time loop.
Because of this reset, the party goers pay no heed to their actions or deeds since they wake up with no memories or effects of the previous loop. Colt, however, retains memories, learning the behaviours and patterns of the party goers with each loop. Tasked to take out eight targets across the island before midnight, leaving even one alive will cause the time loop to reset and undo Colt’s work. Further, should he die before taking out the eight targets, he will wake back up at the start of the loop.
Hardcore gamers will be thinking ‘this sounds like Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask’ – and yes, that was another game with a time loop that runs in real time.
But the difference here in, Deathloop is that the time loop is not strictly timed and is aimed to give players more time and freedom to take out these eight targets in one loop.
You use a combinationof stealth, park our, attack skills, gadgets and powers as in Arkane’s previous D is honored and Prey games to move around the island, avoid enemies and learn the patterns of Colt’s targets to figure out the right order in which to eliminate them using guns, melee attacks, or the environment.
The storyline is built on a framework of brilliant writing akin to a top movie. This helps make the whole experiencing so utterly engrossing that you can lose hours playing and exploring the weird and wonderful world and the characters that inhabit it.
The graphics are jaw-dropping and for my money this is the first game that really showcases the power available to developersmaking titles for PS 5.
Its cool retro vibe and art style fits well with a wicked soundtrack and audio that ups the tension as you play.
Multiplayer is often an afterthought in many new games – but in Deathloop it’s packed full of excitement and can be brilliantly nerve-wrackin ga nd fraught–in a good way.
The crowning achievement, though, has to be how this breath of fresh air takes a host of ideas – many seemingly incompatible – and makes blends them together seamlessly. It laughs in the face of gaming convention.
As you play there are times when you think elements of the gameplay could be a touch pointless. But then as you piece together the wider puzzle at large it all becomes clear just how genius Deathloop is. 5
It is a work of art and a simply must-have for all PS5 – and soon to be PC – gamers. In fact I’d go as far as to say it is THE reason to own a PS 5 right now.
Rating: 10/10