Deathloop

Deathloop encases fun investigation work and satisfying combat in a unique time loop mechanic to create a tremendously satisfying adventure.

Arkane Lyon's follow-up to Dishonored is a masterclass in open-ended action game design.

A brilliant timeloop shooter that gives Dishonored's best tricks and techniques more opportunity to shine.

A thoughtful response to Dishonored that makes for an entertaining stealth shooter in its own right, but it's the multiplayer invasions that make Deathloop sing.

Deathloop is a strange but wondrous beast. It's a time-management game where I built a precision murder machine to effect a carefully plotted rampage. It's also a story about a man finding out who he is and why he's being hunted by a young woman who knows everything about him. Time is Colt's prison, yet also the source of his power.

Deathloop is a killer new-generation showcase that will keep you guessing until the very end

Deathloop is a rare game I started replaying as soon as the credits finished rolling. Now deep in a second playthrough, I'm still discovering new secrets and ways to play

This time-loop shooter interrogates the inherent repetition of video games – or just lets you revel in supremely choreographed mayhem

I never felt any urgency to break the time loop since everyone in the world — even Colt — is pretty blithe about going through the motions from one loop to the next. Alas, I find it difficult to imagine anyone who isn’t partial to video game tropes loving Deathloop. Unless you’re particularly drawn to its vibe, it’s a shooter with good mechanics but not much more than that.

Deathloop is slick and inventive, with a delicious sense of style and humour. One of the smartest and most outright entertaining games of the year.