Deathloop was shown off to an almost nauseating degree. It was first revealed in 2019 and since then it has been showcased in so many console events, especially PS5 ones, that it was getting hard to tell if this game was going to be good or not. Do games that developers are confident in need to be advertised this much.
The gaming world was suffering from a bit of Deathloop fatigue and just wanted to get their hands on the game to judge it accordingly. The feedback then has been stunning as it is one of the best-reviewed games on the PS5 so far and high in general for a 2021 game. There are definitely some things Arkane Studios should patch into the game to make it better though.
7 Add Difficulties
Most games include difficulties on three or more levels. Some recent AAA games like Psychonauts 2 as well as smaller indie titles like Dodgeball Academia have even gone beyond these settings and included broader accessibility options. Deathloop is devoid of both of these options.
It would be nice if one or both of these methods could be added to the game. As a bonus option, adding in a guiding light so that players could figure out the game easier would be nice too.
6 Add A Photo Mode
If players decide to play this game wherein they are hunting Colt as Juliana or trying to avoid Julianna by playing Colt then they are online. A photo mode would not work if the game was always connected. That might be why it wasn’t included with the launch version.
However, players do not need to be online in order to play the game. Theoretically, Arkane Studios could add in the option for photo mode for single-player offline moments. There is a pause button offline so why isn’t there a photo mode which essentially pauses most games when activated?
5 All Weapons Should Contain Residuum
It takes about three to four hours to unlock Residuum depending on the skill level of players. Once Wenjie is dead, Residuum unlocks. Residuum is how players are able to carry over progress between runs. They can spend it to infuse into Slabs, weapons, and even Trinkets and these items will not disappear no matter how many times death occurs and the loop begins again.
The problem is getting this essence can be tricky. Not everything contains Residuum. There’s also the problem of a limited gun inventory. It would be great if Colt could carry more than three guns and two Slabs at a time while in the field. Another option would be to allow players to send stuff back to base while in the field. This could work like the Fulton balloon system from Metal Gear Solid V.
4 Add A Better Tag System
One of the more useful mechanics in the game is the ability to tag enemies in the field. If players hold down on the D-Pad then they can get even get details on enemies. The problem is spotting enemies is not easy with the sight given to Colt.
Some sort of radar would be a nice addition to give Colt in a patch. Arkane Studios could even add in an item like binoculars. It should be noted that sniper scopes do help. Deathloop isn’t completely devoid of scouting options.
3 Fiz-Pop Radar
Enemies can be hard to spot but so can Fiz-Pop containers. These items are the primary way Colt can heal himself. They blend in well with random bottles. Sometimes areas are plentiful with them and sometimes they are not. Increasing the size of them would help although it would look ridiculous in the game.
There are big healing pods and those are easy to spot. Another option would be to add in that natural ability or binoculars as mentioned with tagging. Being able to highlight items or enemies would be good for so many reasons that it deserves to be brought up twice.
2 Coding Options
There are a lot of codes to keep track of in the game. There are doors, safes, and so much more to unlock. In order to figure them all out, players have to track down documents or overhear conversations. Tracking down this information can sometimes be more challenging than executing the Visionaries. The most troubling part about this is that codes are randomized.
They will change with every run meaning that players can’t cheat and look up answers online. This might be difficult to do but perhaps Arkane Studios could add in an option to turn code randomization off. This could level the playing field a bit and create a more accessible experience for those struggling.
1 Turn Off In-Game Words
The style is one of Deathloop’s best features. The 60s and 70s retro art mixed with modern technology are out of this world. The one aesthetic that can be divisive is the words that appear.
They are presumably Colt’s inner monologues or his past selves coming out to give him advice. It’s an interesting idea like the messages in Dark Souls. The problem is most of these text pop-ups are too obtuse or are just not useful. It would be nice if Arkane Studios could add in an option to turn them off.
Deathloop was released on September 14, 2021, and is available on PC and PlayStation 5.