Developer: Gruby Entertainment
Available on: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, Steamdeck
In a future dominated by corporations, every action is consumed by their relentless drive for profit. As resistance brews against these oppressive entities, rogue corporations disrupt the profit-driven system. In this environment, your role as a member of the Corporate Security Agency (CSA) demands the elimination of rogue factions. Through the Deadlink program, your consciousness is integrated with a synthetic combat android, offering a remarkable edge in combat.
Deadlink distinguishes itself in the crowded roguelike genre. With explosive first-person shooting mechanics, a transhumanist setting, and fast-paced gameplay, it rises above many of its contemporaries.
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Deadlink provides gamers with a unique roguelike first-person shooter experience. In its transhumanist world, cybernetic enhancements are paramount. The Deadlink program allows for the transfer of human minds into a fully synthetic combat android, enabling remote piloting of high-tech machinery equipped with advanced weaponry. Each android shell offers unique abilities and weapons.
The initial combat shell is equipped with a shotgun and a rocket launcher. Each shell features two abilities; for instance, the starter shell includes a grappling hook to pull enemies closer and a blast wave that briefly stuns foes. Variations in shells manifest through unique attributes, such as strength and speed. One unlocked shell offers a maneuver called switchback, stunning an enemy while teleporting behind them, alongside a stealth ability that cloaks the player and deploys a decoy.
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Numerous roguelikes populate the gaming landscape, but Deadlink stands out with its compelling cyberpunk aesthetic and empowering player dynamics. Many roguelikes can penalize players from the outset, often disheartening them from completing runs. In contrast, Deadlink fosters an exhilarating experience right from the beginning.
Gameplay flows seamlessly and swiftly, immersing players in compact arenas across various sectors. Encounters vary, featuring cyborg gangs, skilled soldiers, and armed combat drones. Players choose their approach—be it swift, stealthy, or tank-like—providing ample freedom in combat styles.
Augment Yourself
The thrill of combat is amplified by dynamic shooting mechanics and a variety of upgrade options. Weapons offer satisfying usage, and unique abilities enhance gameplay. One notable weapon is the arc cannon, which unleashes pulsating waves that slice through enemies. The rail cannon delivers instant eliminations of targets with its powerful shells.
At the conclusion of each arena, players face a choice of paths leading to the next area, each presenting different upgrade options. Among these, players can select weapon improvements or Neural Boosts. Classic enhancements, such as improved dash abilities and XP gains, coexist with innovative choices, including electrifying shotgun blasts or utilizing the grappling hook to ignite foes, making for thrilling gameplay.
Ride the Waves
Engaging waves of adversaries is immensely enjoyable, evoking the energy of a high-octane action thriller. Players quickly dispatch enemies, creating a lively rhythm reminiscent of an intense battle scenario. Each weapon feels impactful, and the abundance of implant choices leads to diverse combat strategies.
The game draws heavily from anime and cyberpunk inspirations, with distinct enemy designs and a simulation setting that evokes a graphic novel style. The sound design complements the visual aesthetics, ensuring that audio effects resonate crisply and powerfully throughout the gameplay.
Click on the Deadlink
A potential drawback of Deadlink is its tendency toward repetitiveness. Although the game performs admirably and boasts engaging gameplay, it is designed for shorter sessions rather than extended play. Each run often features the same enemies in a predetermined order, which may become monotonous over time. Nonetheless, Deadlink is primarily a rapid-action shooter, and this repetition remains a minor concern.
Deadlink presents a vibrant cyberpunk shooter experience characterized by exhilarating gameplay. Its captivating environment is complemented by a diverse array of weapons and features, making it a thrilling entry in the gaming space.
DEADLINK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Deadlink was reviewed on the Steamdeck thanks to a key generously supplied by the publisher.