Deadlink Game Cover
Deadlink is an amazing cyberpunk-style roguelite that provides plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
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"Deadlink is a cyberpunk shooter game with roguelite elements, offering a single-player experience. As an elite operative, blast through ever-changing levels, taking down corporations with an array of upgradable weapons and skills. With its engrossing plot, hilarious tone, and high replayability, Deadlink delivers fantastic graphics, music, and intense action."

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,245 reviews
gameplay250 positive mentions
grinding56 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced and satisfying gunplay reminiscent of Doom Eternal.
  • Unique class mechanics and upgrade systems that encourage experimentation and skillful play.
  • Visually appealing with a strong cyberpunk aesthetic and a great soundtrack.
  • Repetitive level design with limited enemy variety and only four bosses.
  • Difficulty spikes can feel artificial, especially in later stages.
  • Some upgrades and abilities feel underwhelming or situational, leading to less impactful runs.
  • gameplay591 mentions

    The gameplay of Deadlink is characterized by its fast-paced, frenetic action reminiscent of Doom Eternal, combined with roguelike elements that encourage strategic resource management and skillful movement. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop, unique mechanics like the "marking" system for health and ammo regeneration, and the variety of character classes that offer distinct playstyles. However, some critiques highlight a lack of content variety and depth in the roguelike mechanics, which can lead to repetitive gameplay over time.

    • “Deadlink is a super fun game that mixes fast action, strategic gameplay, and an awesome cyberpunk world.”
    • “The gameplay is tight and fast-paced as all hell.”
    • “Deadlink has an incredible gameplay loop and fun progression system that makes it stand out amongst its competitors.”
    • “Now my biggest gripe with the game is how the mechanics work.”
    • “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 gameplay loop here is an annoying slog compared to other titles where you feel a fighting chance and meta progression is lacking.”
  • music211 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and immersive qualities that enhance the overall gameplay experience. The soundtrack, often described as a "banger," effectively complements the fast-paced combat and cyberpunk aesthetic, drawing comparisons to notable titles like *Doom Eternal* and *Cyberpunk 2077*. While some critiques mention a lack of distinctiveness in certain tracks, the majority agree that the music significantly elevates the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “The music is amazing and the characters (NPCs and bosses too!) are very colorful and fun.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger, and the gameplay loop is addictive, with good variety of enemies and weapons.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “Think the music should really be more bombastic and distinct to fit with the generally crazy nature of the game.”
  • graphics210 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and unique cyberpunk aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive art style, detailed environments, and smooth performance. While some noted that the visuals may not be groundbreaking in a technical sense, they are described as charming and well-suited to the game's fast-paced gameplay. Overall, the combination of striking visuals, engaging sound design, and cohesive atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, particularly for fans of the cyberpunk genre.

    • “The cyberpunk atmosphere is astounding; there's attention in every little detail, and the graphics are amazing.”
    • “The art style is fantastic and unique; the environments and levels look right out of cyberpunk, and it has some of the most satisfying gunplay I've tried in years.”
    • “The visuals never grow stale, and even after many hours of play, I find myself continuously impressed by the game's graphical fidelity.”
    • “None of the marketplace assets are made for this art style; you can tell everything here was made by hand.”
    • “Now for the bad, (which is more mediocre than bad) the visuals are just cyberpunk.”
    • “This is just a personal gripe, but I'm also tired of the trite neo-Tokyo aesthetic.”
  • story131 mentions

    The story in this game is generally considered weak and not a primary focus, often described as a mere backdrop to the gameplay. While some players appreciate the world-building and lore available through a codex and NPC interactions, many find the writing uninspired and the characters unengaging. Overall, the narrative serves more as a framework for the action rather than a compelling element, with most players prioritizing gameplay over story depth.

    • “The concept, execution, and story of this game are all exceedingly well done!”
    • “The story tells a classic but still engaging tale of government conspiracy, corporate hegemony, transhumanism, and misery in a futuristic world.”
    • “There is also quite a bit of thought put into the story, which is not something you always see with this genre.”
    • “The story is non-existent; things just happen for no reason.”
    • “Everything else is so lackluster it's embarrassing; the story is laughable and might as well not even be there.”
    • “The story is confusing, the writing is confusing, and the characters mostly spout nonsense.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its engaging combat and variety of classes that enhance replay value, while others criticize a lack of content and enemy variety that limits long-term enjoyment. Some users highlight the potential for increased replayability with additional modes and content, while others feel the current offerings are insufficient for sustained play. Overall, the game is seen as fun and replayable, but it could benefit from more diverse elements to fully realize its potential.

    • “Great roguelite shooter game with plenty of replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is so fun and replayable with many different modules and weapon upgrades to spec into in your certain run.”
    • “Its thrilling gunplay, infinite replayability, and stunning graphics combine to create an experience that is both captivating and addictive.”
    • “Only way I can recommend the game is with a deep discount, and I'm talking 50-60%. The devs have a lot of talent, but they somehow made one of the least replayable roguelites I've ever played.”
    • “Replayability suffers due to the lack of variety of enemies, arenas, and impactful implants.”
    • “There is little to no replayability potential.”
  • grinding61 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and unfulfilling, particularly at higher difficulty levels where enemy health and speed increase significantly. While some players appreciate the meta-progression and the sense of improvement through grinding, others feel that the rewards for their efforts are minimal, leading to a repetitive and frustrating experience. Overall, the game is characterized by a heavy reliance on grinding, which can detract from the enjoyment of gameplay for many users.

    • “Challenging but not grindy.”
    • “The progression of the game feels fun and not too grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The issue I have with it is that, in mid-high difficulty (there are 3 difficulty settings), enemies are so fast, there's so many of them that it gets genuinely tedious to do that.”
    • “Sadly, the grind after each death has gotten too tedious kind of fast.”
    • “All of this just to pad how long it takes for you to beat the game by farming slow, not interesting upgrades like 5% more damage, 5% less damage taken that should just be a game difficulty at this point.”
  • optimization47 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and fluid gameplay, particularly when using features like DLSS. However, many users report significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and high resource demands, especially during intense gameplay moments. Overall, while the game shows potential with its graphics and design, it requires further optimization to enhance the experience for a wider range of hardware.

    • “Performance-wise, the game runs flawlessly in the sense that there are no stutters or similar issues that hinder gameplay.”
    • “Amazingly fluid, pretty, and optimized.”
    • “Game is also very well optimized and good looking if you're into this kind of graphics style.”
    • “My big issue is the performance.”
    • “Weirdly unoptimized.”
    • “Game performance is horrible after it came out of early access.”
  • humor21 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of clever references and cartoonish elements reminiscent of Borderlands, though some players find it falls flat or feels overly abstract. While many appreciate the subtle and creative world-building humor, others note that the comedic elements can be hit-or-miss, with voice acting enhancing or detracting from the experience. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted tone that some find entertaining, while others may struggle to connect with its quirky style.

    • “There's plenty of humor, both good and bad tossed in for fun as well.”
    • “It's Hades... but the combat is Doom (modern Doom, not old-school)... with a cartoon-cyberpunk skin… and some Borderlands-style humor, let’s say Borderlands-lite.”
    • “A lot of funny references that don't look out of place in the context of a story and characters are unique in their own way with voice actors doing a good job bringing them to life.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by stunning graphics and a captivating soundtrack that complements the action. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail in the level design, which creates a gritty yet vibrant world that draws players in, making it feel alive and engaging. Overall, the combination of art direction, music, and gameplay elements successfully establishes a compelling dystopian environment that resonates with fans of the genre.

    • “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 are blasting in your head, you just get into the zone. It's all lightning quick and satisfying, with a short rest between each zone to calm your senses.”
    • “They nailed the cyberpunk aesthetic and atmosphere 100%.”
    • “The cyberpunk atmosphere is astounding; there's attention in every little detail, and the graphics are amazing.”
    • “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 are blasting in your head, you just get into the zone. It's all lightning quick and satisfying, with a short rest between each zone to calm your senses.”
    • “It still manages to maintain a gritty, grimy high-tech/low-life atmosphere without relying on photorealism.”
    • “The music, sound, and atmosphere, although basic, blend together to bring the world to life in this dystopian cyberpunk universe.”
  • stability15 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with most users reporting smooth performance and no crashes. However, some minor issues such as UI glitches, occasional freezes, and specific boss fight bugs have been noted, indicating that while the game runs well, it still has some areas that require improvement.

    • “In times where games are being sold in a half-baked state (at best), it runs great and I never experienced a single crash.”
    • “Well worth the price, runs great, plays great, simple as.”
    • “Love the style, good progression elements, and runs great.”
    • “I noticed some UI glitches like the cursor disappearing, and 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 trash 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.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of frustration and admiration, as players experience intense challenges that create a trance-like state reminiscent of titles like Doom and Hotline Miami. While some feel a lack of progression and empowerment throughout their gameplay, others appreciate the heartfelt effort and charm infused by the developers, highlighting a connection to the game's characters and art. Overall, the emotional response is complex, blending moments of despair with appreciation for the game's passionate creation.

    • “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 development2 mentions

    Character development in the game appears to be lacking, as one reviewer notes that the characters do not exhibit significant differences beyond their design, particularly highlighting a similarity between a character and a boss-fight. However, the game's aesthetic elements, including character design and soundtrack, are praised, suggesting that while character depth may be minimal, the overall presentation is engaging.

    • “The aesthetic is probably what sold me the most on this game. The environments and character design are amazing, and the soundtrack is fantastic. I love the synthiness of it all. Good stuff!”
    • “I can't wait to get 100 percent and showcase it on my profile!”
    • “The character development feels stagnant; there’s no real growth or change throughout the game.”
    • “I was hoping for a deeper backstory, but the characters remain one-dimensional and forgettable.”
    • “The choices I made didn’t seem to impact the characters at all, making the development feel meaningless.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by a heavily commercialized environment, featuring pervasive advertising and a variety of in-game purchases, yet it notably lacks intrusive ads, allowing for an immersive experience in its vibrant, dystopian setting.

    • “There are no ads, which makes for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “I appreciate that the game is free of advertisements.”
    • “The absence of ads really enhances my enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
44hAverage play time
5-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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