Review of Deadlink

Different classes and roguelike benefits add to the thrill of frenetic fragging. But before too long, the intensity wanes.

Deadlink
Platform: PlayStation 5, also on Xbox Series S/X, previously on PC
Developers: Gruby Entertainment
Publisher: Crunching Koalas
Release date: July 30th, 2024
Price: $24.99 via digital download
Availability: PlayStation Store

In the neon-filled dystopia of Deadlink, megacorporations have unquestionable power. Artificial intelligence has the ability to alter laws so fast that conventional government authorities are unable to halt its evil deeds. The Corporate Security Agency was established as a result. Free from conventional administrative constraints, the CSA launches military shells guided by a brain link to wreak havoc in retaliation.

Deadlink, the debut project from Warsaw-based developer Gruby Entertainment, presents an enticing blend atop its cyberpunk environment. The action of the game takes place in an arena and is reminiscent of the frenetic first-person shooting in Doom Eternal. The roguelike methodology is used to create random power-ups and meta-game improvements. Deadlink cleverly keeps the action focused on the chaotic elements even though there is some explanation to assist create a thrilling backdrop.

Seize Your C-Balls

At first, your only option will be the Soldier combat shell, which comes equipped with a grapple hook, shotgun, rocket launcher, and something resembling a grenade. Deadlink gives robo-surrogates a great deal of dexterity by enabling them to double jump and air-dash. You will definitely need it. Not only is quick thinking necessary to survive, but every arena is stocked with floating C-Balls—think of them as piñatas that are loaded with ammunition rather of candy. Jumping to capture one when a dozen enemies are trying to kill you is always vicious.

Similar to Doom’s Glory Kill feature, Deadlink encourages you to brand enemies before you kill them in addition to simply gunning them down. Opponents can be rendered translucent by blasting them with a grenade blast or by using your grappling hook to draw near to them. When this occurs, a second attack takes down the enemy and covers the area in power-ups that can restore your shielding or health. Additionally, since this is the only way to recover, it becomes essential to mark opponents.

Put those implants to use

Exploring Deadlink’s artificially created stadiums exposes an expanding collection of hardships. You will first battle humans who will succumb to a few hits. However, the game soon introduces a variety of enemies, including enormous, protected sumo wrestlers and mecha that resemble spiders and hurl a flurry of area-of-effect attacks. As one might expect, as the intensity of the firefights increases with each subsequent confrontation, choosing targets becomes crucial.

Thankfully, there are a series of benefits that await you at the end of each arena, such as advantageous stat boosts, ability-granting implants, and new weapon mods. It’s interesting to note that some actions, like switching guns or snatching a C-Ball, are associated with implants. Therefore, you may receive a momentary elemental advantage or invulnerability after grappling or activating your scrambler ability. Rather to just having players run and fire their way through enemies, Deadlink is passionate about encouraging them to use every move in their repertoire. Additionally, since there are many flammable items strewn all over each battlefield, the focus of play is on gaining an edge as soon as possible.

The DualSense’s Voices

If you persevere, you’ll soon be able to access three more shell kinds, each of which promotes a different playstyle. With skills like the ability to switch locations with an enemy, playing as a Hunter focuses on stealth and deceit. Engineers, meanwhile, rely on their capacity to call out machinery to drop battle-changing turrets. Lastly, there’s the Juggernaut, a tank designed for close- and medium-range combat with a sizable health and shielding pool.

Deadlink might be fun if you enjoy hectic, vintage frag-fests like Quake III: Arena or Unreal Tournament. In this particular kind of first-person shooters, staying alive depends more on quick reflexes than on strategizing. I did spend some time with Deadlink yearning to return competitors like Gunfire Reborn, Immortal Redneck, and Crab Champions, though, despite the developer’s best efforts to provide longevity with random benefits, different classes, and unlockable modes. Deadlink might not be able to fully prevail in the battle against prolonged boredom.

The review code for Deadlink was obtained from the publisher and played on a PlayStation 5

Review Overview

Gameplay – 82%

Story – 75%

Aesthetics – 85%

Content – 80%

Accessibility – 78%

Value – 83%

Overall Rating – 81%

Very Good

Summary: Deadlink offers four different character classes, so you can match your playstyle to the frenetic, arena-based first-person frag fests the game features. Strangely enough, though, the roguelike aspects of the game force you to play in a way that makes full use of your abilities. The action isn’t destroyed by this contradiction, but it also doesn’t become any better.