Now that it's been several weeks since Deathloop was released, fans have been able to dive deep into the many mysteries that the game's setting, Blackreef, is full of. As more and more answers are discovered across the island, it appears like some questions won't ever be answered about the game's narrative.
Although there are some instances where that issue is to the game's detriment, by in large, Deathloop doesn't need to answer all of its mysteries to still be a quality title. In fact, the ambiguity can be looked at as a good thing in certain ways, as it lets players theorize about the game and discuss it long after it has been completed.
The Ambiguity of Time Loop Narratives
Many of the questions that remained unanswered about Deathloop revolve around the time loop that the game's central narrative is based around. Any time that a narrative introduces time travel, there are bound to be issues about its rules and how it might contradict itself somewhere down the line. As more and more time travel games are released, these issues are continuing to grow in the minds of many gaming enthusiasts. Time travel games like The Forgotten City, 12 Minutes, and Deathloop avoid answering these questions by simply hoping that players accept the narrative that's being told. While that works for some players, others might not be able to accept certain leaps in logic that are often required by time travel titles.
Deathloop avoids answering a lot of those questions by asking players to just accept the story for what it is. The beginning of the game has Colt asking lots of questions regarding his place in the time loop, but Juliana doesn't guide him through very much of it. Instead, she tells him, and by extension the player, to essentially just go with it. This approach to time travel storytelling is very similar to the humorous way that Austin Powers goes about explaining its time travel story: by looking into the camera and saying that viewers shouldn't "worry about that sort of thing" and that they should just enjoy themselves.
Sitting back and accepting Deathloop's unanswered mysteries for what they are is simple enough for some, but it certainly can stand in the way of others' enjoyment. Something that does help players accept Deathloop's narrative issues is that the game is still fun to play. Instead of being full of frustrating roadblocks that other time loop games with more puzzle focuses have, Deathloop is full of high octane action that keeps the pace of its story moving along at a fast rate.
Deathloop's Unanswered Questions and Mysteries
While it's easy to say that the questions that remain unanswered about Deathloop are part of the point of the game, some mysteries just don't have satisfying cliffhangers. For example, while some of Colt's relationship with Julianna is explained, there's a lot more to it that isn't, resulting in an unsatisfactory ending for some. Other cliffhangers, however, make for interesting conversations about the interpretation of certain events. For example, Colt sees multiple versions of himself throughout the entire game, and the reason for why that is goes largely unanswered. This ambiguity allows players to interpret it in different ways. Perhaps, as he's demonstrated, Colt isn't the most reliable narrator. As he spent time in an asylum, he could be suffering from hallucinations that manifest in him seeing alternate visions of himself and an internal monologue that he can literally read.
Deathloop's endings also allow for plenty of interpretation as well, making for meaningful discussions about the overall themes, message, and meaning of the game. Unfortunately, to get there, players need to suspend their disbelief for a handful of logical leaps that not everyone can easily accept. Deathloop doesn't need to answer all of its questions, but that also means that certain players aren't going to be able to accept its story and the twists it takes.
Deathloop is available for PC and PS5.