Deathloop PS5 Review: 8 Ups & 3 Downs

1. The Lengthy Introduction

Deathloop is not an easy concept to sell to players. Even pre-release trailers had difficulty summing up what the game actually was.

To remedy this, the opening of Deathloop extensively lays out everything you need to know about the world: establishing Colt and Julianna, the time loop, who the Visionaries are, where you're located, how Residuum works, what your objectives are, the basics of combat, and every little system in the UI.

It makes sure you know exactly how the gameplay works, but it can be overwhelming initially.

The tutorial is essentially an hour-and-a-half mission that runs you through a day once, and is far more linear and limited than the rest of the game. Again, players probably needed this introduction, but it's not quite as elegant as it could have been, and the information overload might result in you actually forgetting certain hints or instructions once the game opens proper.

Overall though, Deathloop is a confident, memorable action game that constantly rewards you for experimenting and being curious.

Its mass of systems can be tricky to fully grasp initially, but they come together to form a hugely enjoyable web of interlocking cause and effect that you feel compelled to exploit. I got lost uncovering the secrets of its world, and each re-set never felt like a set back, but an opportunity to execute on a plan or theory I pencilled down previously.

Throw in some superb invasion multiplayer, and you're bound to leave Deathloop with some of your favourite gaming moments of the year.