Deathloop Can Be Beaten Without Guns Or Powers

Despite focusing on fast-paced shooter gameplay, Deathloop’s time loop can actually be escaped without using a single gun or supernatural power.

Arkane Studios’ time loop assassination puzzle Deathloop can surprisingly be beaten without using any guns or supernatural powers. The fascinating first-person shooter tasks players with assassinating eight key figures in order to escape the island of Blackreef and its endless time loop. Mechanics such as supernatural powers and unique weapons help connect Deathloop to Arkane Studios’ earlier games, like Dishonored and Prey, but the time loop makes the experience wholly unique.

The fantasy setting of Deathloop gives players a large number of different guns, gadgets, and powers to use as they cross names off their hit list. The game’s first-person shooter mechanics give it a much faster pace than Arkane’s previous works, with protagonist Colt engaging in firefights against hordes of enemies. Gadgets such as a hacking device allow crafty players to gain an edge over these enemies by turning security systems against them. A plethora of supernatural powers also parallels Dishonored and give Colt amazing opportunities to wreak havoc. Like Dishonored‘s traversal powers such as Blink and Far Reach, Deathloop‘s Shift Slab offers short-range teleportation which is invaluable for players as they move across Blackreef.

Related: How to Unlock The Sepulchra Breteira Sniper Rifle in Deathloop

However, a video by YouTuber McGrouch demonstrates that players can beat Deathloop without using a single gun or Slab ability. The content creator apparently enjoyed Deathloop but found the game too easy, so he challenged himself to finish the game using only the machete melee weapon. This puts the player at a major disadvantage against the game’s numerous gun-totting thugs, and a multiplayer invasion from rival assassin Juliana could immediately spell doom for an under-equipped Colt. Even still, McGrouch was able to complete the game’s perfect final loop with only the machete by moving quickly and tactically.

Arkane Studios’ popular Dishonored series plays similarly to Deathloop, and those games also allow players to win without killing any enemies or using any superpowers. The franchise’s first title gave players the Blink teleportation power by default but Dishonored 2 features a full-fledged No Powers mode which even causes small changes to the game’s story. A firm connection between Deathloop and Dishonored has been established by details within the new game, so it makes sense that the time loop title would also allow players to forgo their most valuable tools.

Deathloop puts a greater emphasis on combat and killing than Arkane Studios’ past titles like Dishonored and Prey. This makes it all the more surprising that players are able to complete this first-person shooter without actually firing a gun or utilizing a Slab. While players like McGrouch must go out of their way to achieve this feat, the possibility acts as a clear demonstration of Arkane Studios’ persistent design philosophies.

Next: How Deathloop’s Run-Based Gameplay Creates An Ingenious Narrative

Deathloop is available on PS5 and PC.

Source: McGrouch/YouTube

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