Forget rebirth; download and play Deathloop again and again.
Forget rebirth; download and play … Wait, you’ve read that before. You’re confused, you go back and read the headline again and compare it with the text below: yes, it matches. The confusion doesn’t last; instead, you realize something strange is happening right in front of you.
That’s exactly the scenario you need to prepare for and get comfortable with, because this is your new reality in the action game developed by Arkane Studios and published by gaming giant Bethesda Softworks, who also released Fallout 76.
An explanation for this mysterious phenomenon
You play as the assassin Colt Vahn, who you can read more about on Bethesdas side. Colt wakes up on a strange beach bathed in a blood-red glow. The island is called Blackreef, and it’s where Deathloop’s story unfolds — and repeats.
By successfully eliminating your eight targets (all dangerous people who have their henchmen hunting you across the island), you’ll be able to end the otherwise endless repetition of the same day. But you’ll need to use your wits — and the lessons from failed attempts and deaths — to do better the next time you wake up and start the day over.
The eight targets are part of a group called the Visionaries — an eclectic mix of artists, scientists, and party animals who, for one reason or another, want the loop to continue so they can live forever. Beyond their day jobs, they’re killers who will go to extreme lengths to make sure the repetitions never end.
A charismatic villain who’s going to kill you … many times
The toughest Visionary you’ll hunt is Julianna, the woman featured in most of the game’s marketing. Julianna is like your shadow; she stalks you as you pursue the Visionaries, and she will manage to kill you multiple times throughout the game. But next time you’ll have knowledge that helps you dodge her sniper shots, which can otherwise give you quite a scare during your run.
And who knows — you might come face to face with the sharpshooter during your playthrough. If so, we recommend taking her down as quickly as possible so both you and your character can escape the endless grip the game can quickly get on you.
Blast with a sawed-off shotgun and teleport with supernatural powers
You’ll get to use a wealth of weapons that change how you play and the strategies you can apply in any given situation.
Go melee with a machete, fire the powerful Rapier, or try more unconventional tools like the PT-6 Spiker — a pistol that shoots nails instead of bullets.
Each weapon feels distinct thanks to slick animations, both while firing and when reloading.
Weapons can also be specialized through an artifact system that significantly alters how you perform in combat. So don’t worry that every loop will feel the same — the game is designed to keep runs fresh.
And if you’re not a brawler — or think first-person shooters get boring without more to offer — you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the time loop isn’t the only spectacular phenomenon on the island.
You can also pick up supernatural abilities, such as the power to teleport around the world or something more offensive, like launching enemies into the air and tossing them out of the top window of the palace you just infiltrated. The combinations are almost as endless as the number of loops you’ll experience.
Availability
Deathloop launched on September 14, 2021 exclusively for Windows computers and the PlayStation 5 console.
If you haven’t been one of the lucky few to grab the powerful new console, rest assured the game also runs flawlessly on Windows PCs that meet or exceed the system requirements.
On PC you get a highly responsive experience — as is often the case with keyboard and mouse. You can flick the mouse quickly for greater control during those tooth-and-nail fights.
On PlayStation 5, you get the signature, punchy haptic feedback from the new controllers and unusually fast load times that make the game feel even more immersive.
Superior graphics pull you straight into the action
Thanks to the exclusive launch on Windows and PlayStation 5, Arkane Studios wasn’t limited the way many other releases are. The newer, more powerful hardware carries an incredibly beautiful game with many visual elements on-screen at once — without compromising performance.
Because of the game’s premise and story (which we won’t spoil here), you’ll experience many different versions of the island as you embark on this murderous adventure.
Arkane Studios also created the impressive Dishonored series, which feels closely related to this game in terms of visuals and Deathloop’s level design. In short, you’re in the hands of a studio used to crafting gorgeous, deeply immersive worlds — even when the atmosphere is nerve-wracking.
Break the loop with other exciting game titles
If you need a breather from the loop, you’ll find help right here on our site.
Our editors recommend Genshin Impact, which recently received a major update — perfect if you want even more story and combat after Deathloop.
If Deathloop’s solo missions left you feeling lonely, team up with other players to defeat massive dragons and ancient creatures with magic and steel in Final Fantasy XIV.
And if all that action and high-speed strategy has been a bit much, unwind with a classic, relaxing game like Angry Birds. You can still jump between story missions — but don’t worry, we promise this isn’t another loop you’re trapped in.
Deathloop is a great game
Deathloop is an ambitious project that still offers loads of interesting interactions and fresh playthroughs — even when you play it again and again. With a focus on natural, continuous learning, it feels right to test strategies, fail, learn, and try again until you succeed.
Failure isn’t crushing, because you can carry parts of your gear, abilities, and of course your hard-earned knowledge into the next attempt to bring down the eight targets.
Our editors at Download.dk are pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the game runs. It demands quick feet (and fingers) and the ability to process what’s happening around you. It’s no longer enough to let the game pass by passively — that will get you killed. Thankfully, thanks to the endless loop, that won’t be your biggest problem in the fights on Blackreef.
Download Deathloop
