Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 21 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 85% | 78 | 328 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 30, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 328 total reviews in window · weighted 135 up / 24.7 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (17)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Deadlink is a first-person action shooter that combines roguelike elements with a gripping story. Set in a cyberpunk world, you play as an agent sent on a dangerous mission to destroy corrupt conglomerates. Thanks to a detailed codex that provides information on characters, enemies, weapons, and upgrades, the story is surprisingly well-developed. The gameplay is reminiscent of classic 90s arena shooters like DOOM and Quake, but it’s enhanced with great features. The unique combination of fast-paced, dynamic action with roguelike mechanics sets Deadlink apart from other games in the genre. Overall, it’s a very promising title.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Deadlink stands out as a “pick-up-and-play” experience, focused solely on delivering fun. The gameplay is thrilling, and the roguelite structure, while not innovative, adds variety. Its visuals, narrative, and world-building feel underwhelming, but it’s a great excuse to take a break from more complex roguelites and enjoy some satisfying action.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Deadlink is a blast. At its pulse-pounding best, it's a breakneck shooter that rewards skill and tactical thinking, and keeps you hooked with a range of run-altering unlocks. A must for fans of relentless and often brutal action.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It took me a while to really get the gameplay loop for Deadlink, I have played so many of these types of games and this one didn’t help things by having some confusing controls. But once I was able to wrap my head around everything, Deadlink is a pretty fun experience in small spurts. With a narrative that isn’t presented well in my opinion and a high difficulty level there really is no draw to spend hours in this world in one sitting; but in small spurts, I think fun can be found in Deadlink for some.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Deadlink is an amazing cyberpunk-style roguelite that provides plenty of reasons to keep coming back.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Deadlink is a great arena shooter with fast-paced action and a banging soundtrack. You'll be speeding around arenas as hordes of enemies give chase, and you will be challenged. Things can get repetitive, but you'll probably be having too much of a good time to care.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Roguelike fans who love fast-paced first-person shooter action are in for a treat with Deadlink. Its combat encounters take heavy inspiration from DOOM Eternal, and with four combat shells to choose from, along with a wide range of upgrades to acquire, there's plenty of variety to be found from one run to the next. A new time trial mode complete with global leaderboards adds even more fun into the mix.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Deadlink proves how arena shooters can thrive with roguelike loops adding lasting replayability. Its straightforward yet satisfying moment-to-moment action makes for an energy drink of a game that's hard to put down.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Initial impressions of Deadlink were mixed. Whilst its presentation captivated me from the start, it took a while before the game’s core loop eventually managed to win me over. After a few rounds and some upgrades, I’d finally get a hold of its occasionally confusing controls. I’d start jumping around, shooting everything in sight, all while being bombarded with some great visuals and music.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A great mixture of fast-paced first-person shooter, rogue-like, and cyberpunk, Deadlink comes out of nowhere to rock your world and keep you on edge until the credits roll!”
read full review ↗ - 90
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Deadlink hits the proposal well and has as its main highlight its explosive combat in a well-presented theme, but suffers a little from the fast fatigue common in many roguelites that deliver little variety of scenarios and enemies.”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
STWGames Italia
Push Square
ZTGD
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
GameSpew
Duuro Magazine
WayTooManyGames
BaziCenter
Digital Chumps
PSX Brasil…and 5 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Crusher's Briefing: Chronodeck Update 1.2Jul 30, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Minor Update - November 2023Nov 8, 2023
- Deadlink 1.1 is outSep 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - August 2023Aug 3, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Deadlink 1.0 Patch NotesJul 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Deadlink 1.0 - Full version out now!Jul 27, 2023
- [CLASSIFIED] Target List Update in progressJul 24, 2023
- Hotfix - April 2023Apr 28, 2023
- Friends In Odd Places updateApr 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - March 2023Mar 24, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- The Interport update is here!Mar 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Upcoming changes & the MIX!Mar 14, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- The Software Wizard updateJan 31, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - January 2023Jan 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- The Anti-Corpo Engineering updateDec 22, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - November 2022Nov 21, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Crisis Levels Update + Patch NotesNov 7, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - October 2022Oct 24, 2022significant · resets scoring window