Since Deathloop's reveal, gamers gave been keenly awaiting the launch of Arkane Studios' latest project. After initial delays, Deathloop looks set to release later this year, much to the excitement of PlayStation 5 and PC owners everywhere.

Like recent release Returnal, one of the defining features of Deathloop is its experimentation with time. Deathloop opts for a traditional Groundhog Day-style time loop, with the day resetting upon the player's death. The result of this is a fairly unique game that has captured the interest of many. Despite comparisons, and indeed some similarities between Dishonored and Deathloop, the two games actually seem quite different from one another. But is this dissimilarity reflected in the game's main protagonists?

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Dishonored's Corvo vs Deathloop's Colt

Corvo game art from Dishonored

Corvo Attano, Royal Protector and main protagonist, is thrust into the events of the Dishonored games by being twice ousted from his position and set upon by the self-imposed rulers. Corvo is a silent protagonist in the first game, which proved to be troublesome when accused of a murder he didn't commit, but he finds his voice in Dishonored 2. Corvo is hardly the most outspoken protagonist when given the chance, always maintaining a serious demeanor, befitting of both the circumstances he finds himself in and his characterization as a ruthless assassin. It is within combat that Corvo's character comes alive, with slick handwork and a collection of supernatural abilities, Corvo makes quick work dispatching of enemies in style.

Colt Vahn, in comparison, is the Yin to Corvo Attano's Yang. Seeming to have also been ousted from a position of relative power, Colt is being sought out by a new regime, intent on bringing an end to his plans to end the time loop. Colt's Deathloop abilities are easily recognizable as bearing a resemblance to those possessed by Corvo, most notably, Corvo's trademark teleportation ability that allows him to navigate throughout levels like a ghost. Unlike Corvo, though, Colt appears to have a good amount of humor about him. The torturous situation he finds himself in proving to be the inspiration behind his exasperated one-liners and general frustrated apathy towards his enemies, knowing his success is a question of when rather than if.

Colt's fighting style, best described as Corvo with automatic weapons, makes for exciting Deathloop gameplay trailers. Corvo's slick combat style lives on through Colt as he battles his way through enemy bases with a combination of stealth and brutality. Despite significant changes to the gameplay loop, the combat system appears as smooth as it was in Dishonored. This is perhaps one of the features that has excited fans the most and for good reason as Dishonored's combat system was one of the main draws of the game.

Deathloop Vs Dishonored

deathloop big games may 2021

Despite coming from the same developer and sharing a very similar combat system, Dishonored and Deathloop look to be quite different games. For starters, Deathloop has a self-aware bond-style aesthetic and the game seems a lot more colorful than Dishonored's dark, dusty, steampunk look. Dishonored's aesthetic contributed greatly to the overall feel of the game, which makes Deathloop's antithetical style quite an interesting departure.

One of the biggest differences between the two games is Deathloop's gameplay loop, which combines a Dark Soulsesque online component with Hitman style level progression. In Deathloop, the player's game is infiltrated by Julianna, who may either be NPC or player-controlled and will attempt to kill Colt, bringing the time loop to a halt. This is a notable change from Dishonored, which is single-player by design. How well this gameplay feature will play out is yet to be seen, but it could prove to be significant in shaping the gameplay of Deathloop.

Despite Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, and unlike the Dishonored games, Deathloop is set to debut on PC and PlayStation 5 as a console exclusive. While it will appear on Xbox later down the line, Xbox gamers will have to wait to play Arkane Studios' latest game.

Deathloop launches September 14 for PC and PlayStation 5.

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