Deathloop PS5 Review: 8 Ups & 3 Downs

4. Time Loop Gimmick Isn't A Time Waster

Despite being built around re-living a single day, Deathloop is structured in a way to not waste your time. As each run begins, you choose one of the four locations to visit, and one of four time periods in which to visit them: morning, noon, afternoon and evening.

Visiting a specific area at a different time of day also come with not only a new visual style, but a brand new set of encounters and side missions too, making sure you're constantly seeing new things tens of hours in. Inside these levels time won't progress forward until you leave via specific exit points, which will move time forward to next of the four times of day.

This structure keeps the premise in focus at all times, but doesn't burden the gameplay with any un-fun pressure. Unlike in similar games, as time doesn't move in the levels, you can take as long as you like exploring, experimenting, and killing without worrying about ticking down the clock. Of course you could die, but even then you have two continues before the loop is completely re-set. Consequently players have a certain amount of control over the loop, and it keeps the framing from feeling like a ball and chain tied to your leg.

When the day ends (or you bite the dust), you do repeat the whole process, though enough progress carries over to make you feel as though you're getting stronger, smarter and closer to your end goal. Initially you start each new run scavenging weapons and power-ups, however an in-game resource called Residuum allows you to infuse loadout items to stay in your inventory permanently.

With each new run then you're tangibly getting stronger, building an arsenal of gadget and doo-hickeys to use on future attempts.