Deathloop Review – Arkane’s Time-Loop Masterpiece Arrives on Xbox

The Loop is Open for Everyone

After a year of PlayStation 5 exclusivity, Arkane Studios’ mind-bending shooter Deathloop storms onto Xbox Series S/X and Game Pass today. This isn’t just a port—it’s a polished, expanded version with new accessibility options, an extended ending, and all the chaotic fun that made the original a 2021 Game of the Year contender. If you missed it on PS5, now’s your chance to dive into a game that’s part Groundhog Day, part Hitman, and all Arkane.

The Setup: Time is Your Weapon

Deathloop drops you into Blackreef, a retro-futuristic island trapped in a time loop. You play as Colt Vahn, an amnesiac assassin tasked with killing eight “Visionaries”—eccentric geniuses who maintain the loop. Each day resets at midnight, giving you endless chances to experiment, fail, and learn. Think Dishonored meets Inception, but with neon-lit 1970s aesthetics and a soundtrack that slaps.

The loop’s mechanics are genius. Die, and you respawn at the start of the day, retaining weapons, powers, and knowledge. This encourages bold risks—like infiltrating a party disguised as a guest or blowing up a bridge to trap enemies. The island’s four districts (dawn, noon, dusk, night) shift dynamically, forcing you to adapt. One moment you’re sniping from rooftops; the next, you’re hacking turrets in a rain-soaked bunker.

The Powers: Slabs, Guns, and Mayhem

Deathloop’s toolkit is Arkane’s most accessible yet. “Slabs” are supernatural abilities stolen from Visionaries:

• Shift lets you teleport à la Dishonored’s Blink.
• Nexus links enemies so a single bullet kills them all.
• Karnesis hurls foes into the air, perfect for tossing guards into fan blades.

Combine these with gadgets (tripwire bombs, invisibility) and over-the-top guns (handcannons, nailguns), and you’ve got a playground for creativity. Want to freeze enemies in time, then shatter them with a shotgun? Go for it. The game rewards experimentation, with a “Reprise” ability that lets you rewind time three times per level—no more reloading saves!

The Story: A Twisted Dance with Julianna

The narrative is a slow-burn thriller. Colt’s main rival is Julianna, a snarky visionary who can invade your game as a playable antagonist. Her AI-controlled version taunts you via radio, while real players can invade others’ loops for PvP mayhem. The dynamic is electric: she can sabotage your plans, steal your upgrades, or even romance Colt in a bizarre subplot.

The Visionaries themselves are a rogues’ gallery of sociopaths. There’s Harbinger, a rockstar with a god complex; Egor, a scientist obsessed with time; and Fia, a party planner who literalizes “eternal celebration.” Each has a weakness to exploit—like luring Harbinger into a guitar duel or poisoning Egor’s coffee. The story’s midgame twist recontextualizes everything, making you question Colt’s motives and the loop’s true purpose.

The Art and Atmosphere: A Retro-Futuristic Carnival

Visually, Deathloop is a stunner. Blackreef feels alive, with art deco architecture, neon-lit casinos, and rain-soaked streets that evoke Blade Runner by way of Mad Men. The soundtrack blends synthwave bangers with jazz interludes, perfectly matching the setting’s vibe.

The game’s humor is sharp, too. Eternalists (the island’s brainwashed residents) are drunk, delusional, and hilariously expendable. One guard might yell, “I’ve been stuck in this loop for years—can’t you just let me die?!” Another might challenge you to a dance-off mid-combat. These touches keep the tone light even as the story darkens.

The Multiplayer: Invade, Adapt, Conquer

Julianna’s invasion mode is Deathloop’s wildcard. As the invader, you can swap faces with NPCs, lay traps, or summon Eternalists to overwhelm Colt. The tension is palpable—will you find Colt hiding in a vent, or will he ambush you with a time-frozen grenade?

The PvP isn’t mandatory, though. Turn it off for a solo experience, or let AI Julianna test your skills. Either way, the stakes are high: killing Colt nets you exclusive upgrades, while surviving her attacks unlocks her abilities for your own arsenal.

The Verdict: A Must-Play for Xbox Gamers

Deathloop isn’t Arkane’s most experimental game, but it’s their most refined. It streamlines the studio’s signature chaos into a tight, replayable package. The time-loop premise allows for endless “what-if” scenarios, while the combat feels weighty and satisfying.

Is it perfect? No. The Eternalists’ AI can be predictable, and the multiplayer lacks Hitman’s social stealth depth. But for sheer creativity and polish, Deathloop stands out. With its Xbox release, a new audience can experience this masterpiece.