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Deadlink

Deadlink is a pulse-pounding boomer shooter wrapped in roguelite trappings. By stripping the fat and relying on intense action, GRUBY Entertainment delivers the best both genres have to offer.
Deadlink Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
92% User Score Based on 3,676 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5XboxWindowsPlayStation
Deadlink Game Cover

About

Deadlink is a single player shooter game. It was developed by Gruby Entertainment and was released on July 27, 2023. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Deadlink is a single-player cyberpunk shooter with roguelite elements, boasting fabulous mechanics, amazing graphics, and exceptional music. As an elite operative, you'll fight through randomized levels, battling corporations with a deadly arsenal and upgradable skills. Despite the grinding, Deadlink offers a wholesome story and high replayability for fans of the genre.

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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,676 reviews
gameplay414 positive mentions
grinding82 negative mentions

  • Fast-paced, frenetic gameplay reminiscent of Doom Eternal.
  • Strong variety of classes and abilities that encourage different playstyles.
  • Engaging combat loop with satisfying gunplay and a great soundtrack.
  • Limited content with only a few biomes and bosses, leading to repetitiveness.
  • Some classes and upgrades feel underwhelming or less viable than others.
  • Difficulty spikes can feel frustrating, especially in later stages and boss fights.
  • gameplay
    938 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Deadlink is characterized by fast-paced, engaging combat that draws heavy inspiration from Doom Eternal, featuring a unique marking mechanic that allows players to replenish shields by defeating marked enemies. Players appreciate the fluid movement, diverse character classes, and the satisfying gunplay, although some express concerns about the repetitiveness of the roguelite elements and a lack of variety in upgrades and enemy encounters. Overall, the game offers a thrilling and addictive gameplay loop, but it could benefit from more content and customization options to enhance replayability.

    • “You have a ton of great augmentations and upgrades available throughout a run that switch up your gameplay style immensely.”
    • “Every gameplay feature ties back into the others, giving the gameplay a very engaging and thrilling rhythm. The main idea is that you have to use your abilities to mark enemies so they'll refill your shield bar (secondary health bar) upon death, as the close-range nature of the combat and the aggressiveness of the enemy AI makes it unlikely that you'll be able to dodge every attack.”
    • “Incredible rogue-lite, combat is finely tuned with upgrades in mind and encourages very modern doom-like gameplay.”
    • “Not much of a roguelike though, as the upgrades you find throughout the run are pretty trivial and don't really alter gameplay any; the only real roguelike element is that if you die you start over, and even then the best upgrades you get are the ones you unlock between runs.”
    • “If there was more build variety I think I could put up with constantly replaying those stages, but the gameplay has started to feel very stale because of the lack of variety.”
    • “The point is that this polished, pretty game is buried under a mound of pointless, uninspired roguelike mechanics that actively hamper the product and pad gametime in a frustrating way.”
  • music
    348 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay and cyberpunk aesthetic. Descriptions frequently highlight the soundtrack as "banger," "killer," and "amazing," often comparing it favorably to other notable titles like *Doom Eternal* and *Cyberpunk 2077*. While some critiques mention a lack of distinctiveness in certain tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly enhances the gaming experience, making it a standout feature.

    • “What a gem Deadlink is, not only is the music amazing but the gameplay!”
    • “The atmosphere of this game had me feeling like turning off the lights and putting headphones on, once you get into the action and the bass and music is blasting in your head, you just get into the zone; it's all lightning quick and satisfying.”
    • “The soundtrack for Deadlink truly blew me away with its score, and I'm simply amazed.”
    • “The music is immediately forgettable and the characters are not poorly written but wholly uninteresting; you'll be skipping nearly every conversation they attempt to have with you because everything they say will be trite or eye-rolling snarky.”
    • “The OST, I think, is one of the weaker points and I have to emphasize this; this needs to be improved because sound design is integral to a game, especially if you're trying to fulfill a fantasy or feel like 'you're in the zone'.”
    • “The OST is serviceable most of the time, and a couple of songs are actually pretty good; overall, there is nothing truly distinct or interesting about the track, as unfortunate as that is to say.”
  • graphics
    330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning cyberpunk aesthetic, characterized by vibrant colors, unique art styles, and impressive visual fidelity. Players appreciate the hand-crafted design elements and the smooth performance, which enhance the fast-paced gameplay experience. Overall, the visuals are described as captivating and integral to the game's immersive atmosphere, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “The cyberpunk atmosphere is astounding; there's attention in every little detail, graphics are amazing.”
    • “The visuals never grow stale, and even after many hours of play, I find myself continuously impressed by the game's graphical fidelity.”
    • “It's genuinely one of the best looking cyberpunk art styles I've come across yet.”
    • “Now for the bad, (which is more mediocre than bad) the visuals are just cyberpunk.”
    • “Its a really fun game but one issue I experience is the graphics settings never saving and the default setting always lags the hell out of my game so I can never actually play the combat encounters with more enemies but other than that I like it.”
    • “Graphics may be a bit too shiny and colorful but it literally takes around 10 min to get adjusted to it.”
  • story
    180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally considered weak and not a primary focus, serving mainly to enhance the setting rather than drive the gameplay. While some players appreciate the world-building and character interactions, many find the narrative lacking depth and coherence, often feeling like an afterthought in a fast-paced roguelite experience. Overall, the story is described as mediocre or generic, with players more engaged by the gameplay than the plot itself.

    • “The concept, execution, and story of this game are all exceedingly well done!”
    • “The story is nice, the references are plenty, and the aesthetic and soundtrack are killer.”
    • “The story tells a classic but still engaging tale of government conspiracy, corporate hegemony, transhumanism, and misery in a futuristic world.”
    • “The story is also kind of lacking and even after 100% the game I am not sure what is going on.”
    • “Overall, though, the story is throwaway and I found I didn't care about anything the characters that talk to you between runs had to say.”
    • “The story is lacking, the gameplay is repetitive, and kind of hard.”
  • replayability
    112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging combat and unique class mechanics that enhance replay value, while others criticize the lack of enemy and arena variety, leading to a diminished experience over time. Many reviews highlight the fun of roguelike elements and the potential for replayability through upgrades and different playstyles, but some express concerns about balance and content depth. Overall, while there are strong elements that encourage replayability, significant issues prevent it from being consistently high across the board.

    • “Each class is fun and feels very unique from one another, adding to the replayability of the game.”
    • “The gameplay is very fun and satisfying due to the mechanics of the game and offers tons of replayability due to it being a roguelike, as there is an upgrade path each time you die and collect XP.”
    • “Its thrilling gunplay, infinite replayability, and stunning graphics combine to create an experience that is both captivating and addictive.”
    • “Replayability suffers due to the lack of variety of enemies, arenas, and impactful implants.”
    • “There is little to no replayability potential.”
    • “But while I can enjoy the game for a bit, there are severe issues that hamper the experience—and the roguelite elements hold it back even more, because the amount of replay value you get from it is nonexistent.”
  • grinding
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it excessively tedious, particularly due to repetitive combat and a heavy reliance on meta progression for upgrades. While some appreciate the challenge and the sense of reward from grinding, others feel that the lack of variation in levels and inflated enemy health contribute to a frustrating experience. Overall, players suggest that while the game can be enjoyable for a time, it often devolves into a grind that detracts from the fun.

    • “The progression of the game feels fun and not too grindy.”
    • “Challenging but not grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Sadly, the grind after each death has gotten too tedious kind of fast.”
    • “The game also inflates all enemy HP for different modes, but since there aren't that many reliable damage scaling options, it just gets progressively slower and more tedious as you progress, and very few of the unlocks actually feel impactful or interesting.”
    • “Then there's also an extremely grindy meta-unlock system that literally just gives you more power — so it's the worst and most boring kind.”
  • optimization
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate its fluid gameplay and impressive visuals, several report performance issues such as frame rate drops, stuttering, and lag spikes, particularly during intense moments. Some users noted that even on lower settings, they experienced unexpected performance dips, suggesting that further optimization is needed. Despite these challenges, many still find the game enjoyable and well-optimized for its aesthetic style.

    • “Amazingly fluid, pretty, and optimized.”
    • “The game has an impressive soundtrack, art style, and the performance is really good.”
    • “Game is also very well optimized and good looking if you're into this kind of graphics style.”
    • “It is worth working on the optimization of this game as at full minimum there is a drop in FPS while shooting at opponents.”
    • “Would have been a great game, but given the current technical state (especially final level performance), I just cannot recommend it...”
    • “My only complaint so far is that the optimization isn't great -- I'm on all low settings and not getting the frames I'd expect.”
  • atmosphere
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, characterized by stunning graphics and meticulous attention to detail. Players appreciate the combination of a gripping soundtrack that enhances the action and a gritty, high-tech environment that captures the essence of the genre. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging and exhilarating, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The cyberpunk atmosphere is astounding; there's attention in every little detail, and the graphics are amazing.”
    • “Finish with a truly delicious soundtrack and a gorgeous cel-shaded cyberpunk atmosphere, and you have a recipe for success.”
    • “The soundtrack does a great job of filling out the classic cyberpunk atmosphere created by the art direction as well as getting the blood pumping during combat.”
    • “It still manages to maintain a gritty, grimey high tech/low life atmosphere without relying on photorealism.”
    • “I was extremely impressed by Deadlink's high quality and immersive atmosphere.”
  • humor
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as subtle and creative, enhancing the overall experience without being overwhelming or annoying. While some players find the humor enjoyable, others may not connect with it, particularly regarding voice acting. Overall, the game is noted for its entertaining and addictive qualities, with moments that can evoke laughter, though the humor may not be universally appreciated.

    • “Amazing game with great lore, humor, gameplay.”
    • “The lore and humor are not super in your face and don't feel annoying at all.”
    • “The more subtle world-building elements are rather creative and lively, and the game actually has a good sense of humor.”
  • stability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with many users reporting no crashes and smooth performance. However, some minor issues such as UI glitches, occasional freezes, and specific boss fight bugs have been noted, though they do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

    • “In times where games are being sold in a half-baked state (at best), it runs great and I've never experienced a single crash.”
    • “Looks great, sounds great, runs great.”
    • “Well worth the price, runs great, plays great, simple as that.”
    • “I noticed some UI glitches like the cursor disappearing, and the upgrade and reroll costs are often displayed incorrectly.”
    • “The final boss glitches out and gets stuck in place every fight, but it's fine because the fight itself is so bad you're just happy to finish the run.”
    • “My only nitpicks are that the game is buggy and it feels unbalanced past the first difficulty.”
  • emotional
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of intense emotions while navigating challenging gameplay, likening the experience to a trance similar to that of "Doom 2016" and "Hotline Miami." Despite frustrations with difficulty and a sense of stagnation in power progression, there is an appreciation for the game's charm and the passion of its creators, particularly in the character design of Maria Argentea. Overall, the emotional response is a blend of exhilaration, frustration, and admiration for the game's artistic effort.

    • “Only Doom 2016 and Hotline Miami made me feel that kind of trance.”
    • “It made me feel like I wasn't gaining power as the maps continued.”
    • “And even if I don't like these things, they help imbue the whole game with scrappy charm that shows it was made by real people with a heartbreaking amount of passion.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game appears to be lacking, as some players feel that characters are not significantly different from one another, with variations primarily in design rather than depth or growth. While the aesthetic elements, such as environments and character design, are praised, they do not compensate for the perceived shortcomings in character differentiation and development.

    • “The aesthetic is probably what sold me the most on this game. The environments and the character design are amazing. The soundtrack also just slaps; I love the synthiness of it all. Good stuff! I seem to be having some stuttering errors, but other than that, the game runs smoothly. I can't wait to get 100% and showcase it on my profile!”
    • “And it's not like she is literally any different from the CEO boss fight; the only difference is in the character design.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by a vibrant, dystopian setting filled with pervasive advertising and various commercial elements, such as vending machines and references to cryptocurrencies. However, players appreciate the absence of intrusive ads, allowing for an immersive experience in the neon-drenched metropolis.

    • “No ads.”
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10h Median play time
49h Average play time
5-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Deadlink is a shooter game.

Deadlink is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 49 hours playing Deadlink.

Deadlink was released on July 27, 2023.

Deadlink was developed by Gruby Entertainment.

Deadlink has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Deadlink is a single player game.

Similar games include Roboquest, Abyssus, Battle Shapers, Deadzone: Rogue, VOID/BREAKER and others.