Deathloop

***Deathloop***, stylized as **"DEATHLOOP"**, is a first-person action game developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game released on September 14, 2021 for the PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows, and on September 20, 2022 for Xbox Series X|S.

*Deathloop* tells the story of two assassins, Colt and Julianna, who battle in an eternal cycle on the island of Blackreef.

## About

*Deathloop* transports you to the mysterious island of Blackreef, where an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins will determine the island's future. As Colt, you must find a way to put an end to the timeloop trapping the island in an endless cycle, all while being hunted by the island's inhabitants. Using your powerful weapons and abilities, you'll need to take out 8 key targets across the stunning, yet chaotic, island before the day resets in order break the loop once and for all. But lurking in the shadows is rival assassin Julianna whose sole mission is to take Colt out and keep the loop going. Learn from each cycle, try new paths and approaches, and break the loop.

There are two modes in Deathloop: "Break the Loop" (Colt's journey) and "Protect the Loop" (Julianna's Journey). "Protect the Loop" must be unlocked first by playing "Break the Loop".

## Development

*Deathloop* was created by the development team of Arkane Lyon. The game was formally announced during a press conference at E3 2019 and additional information was revealed during the Sony press event that took place on June 12, 2020.

*Deathloop* includes elements from Arkane's previous titles - *Dishonored* and *Prey*. Notably the time loop mechanic was previously explored by Arkane in *Prey: Mooncrash*. Game director Dinga Bakaba described the game as an 'inverted Cluedo', where the player is trying to craft the perfect murder.

The game was originally scheduled for launch in Q1 2020. On August 19, 2020, Arkane announced that the launch date would be delayed to Q2 2021, citing challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the delay. The game was eventually released on September 14, 2021 on Playstation 5 and PC. The Xbox version launched on September 20, 2022, alongside a 'GOLDENLOOP' update for all platforms.

### *Dishonored*

*Main article: Dishonored*
On October 8, 2022, Bethesda confirmed that *Deathloop* and *Dishonored* take place in the same universe.

## Release

### Pre-Order Bonuses

Pre-order Package consisted of the following items:

* "Storm Rider" skin for Colt
* Exemplar Personal Touch Trinket for Colt
* Royal Protector Machete (PS5 exclusive)

### Deluxe Edition

Deluxe Edition package consists of the following items:

* All pre-order bonuses
* "Party Crasher" skin for Colt
* "Sharp Shooter" skin for Julianna
* Exemplar Golden Harvest Trinket for Colt
* Juiced Up Trinket for Julianna
* Transtar Trencher (PS5 exclusive)
* .44 Karat Fourpounder (Julianna exclusive}
* Eat the Rich Tribunàl (Colt exclusive)
* Selection of original soundtracks of the game

### Game Updates

The game has received several software updates since launch. The most significant update is the Goldenloop update which was released on 20 September, 2022, to coincide with the Xbox Series X|S launch. This update added new content including an extended 'Break the Loop' ending.

## Soundtrack

### Original Game Soundtrack

*Deathloop'*s original score was composed by Tom Salta, who had previously composed the soundtracks for the *Halo*, *Prince of Persia*, and *Tom Clancy* series, as well as the main musical theme for *PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)*. When composing for the game, Salta was inspired by music from the late 60s and early 70s, including artists like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. He also noted the importance that the soundtrack take into account the repetitive nature of the game, writing variations for the themes played in different locations on the island, depending on the time of day. Salta's score was nominated for Best Score and Best Music at The Game Awards 2021.

A selection of the game's soundtrack was made available on Steam when the game released and the full original game soundtrack was released on November 17, 2021. It features 59 tracks including all the trailer songs and the songs by Frank Spicer heard in-game.

The complete soundtrack was also released on vinyl, with an estimated shipping date of October 2022.

### Trailers

The following songs were featured in *Deathloop's* trailers:

* "Déjà Vu" is the title of the gameplay trailer 3 soundtrack released by Bethesda Softworks on February 26, 2021. Artists: Sencit (feat. FJØRA). "Déjà Vu" was also covered by the artists Madison Beer, Steve Aoki and Future.
* "Pitch Black" was the featured song of the official launch trailer: Countdown to Freedom. "Pitch Black" was created by Sencit (Feat. Lady Blackbird).
* "Down the Rabbit Hole" was the song title of the official story trailer that released September 9, 2021. The song was created by Sencit, Samantha Howard and Haqq.
* "Inside Looking Out" is a song title by the Canadian singer *Ndidi O* (Ndidi Onukwulu) that can be heard in the Playstation 5 presentation trailer.

## Reception

*Deathloop* received general favorable reviews on Metacritic.

*Deathloop* was nominated in the following categories for the 2021 Game Awards:

* **Best Game Direction (won)**
* **Best Art Direction (won)**
* Game of the Year
* Best Narrative
* Best Score and Music
* Best Audio Design
* Best Performance
* Best Action Game

## Video

DEATHLOOP – Official E3 World PremiereDEATHLOOP – Official PS5 Gameplay Reveal Trailer- Welcome to BlackreefDEATHLOOP – Official Gameplay Trailer 2- Two Birds One StoneDEATHLOOP – Official Launch Date Reveal
## References

1. ↑ Deathloop interview - a strange blend of Dishonored, Persona, Dark Souls and… Cluedo?
2. ↑ Deathloop delayed to next year, says Arkane
3. ↑ Tweet from @Bethesda
4. ↑ Deathloop, Dishonored, Redfall and Project Amplify - Larry Hyrb, Xbox's Major Nelson
5. ↑ The Deathloop score grooves like Hendrix
6. ↑ Deathloop (Deluxe X4LP Boxset)
7. ↑ NMW article, September 13, 2021, written by Demi Williams
8. ↑ kakuchopurei article, September 13, 2021, written by Alleef Ashaari.
9. ↑ Metacritic - Deathloop (PC)
10. ↑ Metacritic - Deathloop (PS5)