Deathloop, developed by Arkane Studios and released by Bethesda Softworks, brings its unique mix of time loops, mind-bending mechanics, and complex narrative to life. However, what truly makes the game stand out is its cast of rich, multi-dimensional characters who are integral to the gameplay and story. Each character in Deathloop plays a crucial role in defining the world of Blackreef, shaping the choices players make, and adding layers to the game’s unique narrative structure. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the main characters of Deathloop, from the protagonists Colt and Julianna to the Visionaries that players must hunt down.
Table of Contents
1. Colt Vahn – The Reluctant Hero
At the heart of Deathloop is Colt Vahn, the game’s protagonist, a man trapped in a seemingly endless time loop on the island of Blackreef. Colt wakes up each day with no memory of the previous loops but soon realizes that breaking the cycle is the only way to escape. He is characterized by his resilience, snarky personality, and an unrelenting drive to end the loop.
Colt’s Personality and Motivation
Colt starts as a confused and disoriented individual, but over time, he becomes more determined to break the loop. His sarcastic dialogue and humorous commentary, often voiced in response to the strange world around him, make him an immediately relatable and likable character. His dynamic with Julianna, the primary antagonist, serves as the emotional backbone of the game. The conflict between Colt’s desire to escape and the island’s mechanisms designed to keep him trapped provides constant tension.
Colt’s motivations evolve throughout the game as he uncovers secrets about his past, his connection to the island, and his complicated relationship with Julianna. This emotional journey, coupled with his determination to break free, makes him a compelling protagonist.
Gameplay Role
Colt serves as the player’s avatar in Deathloop. His task is simple: kill all eight Visionaries in a single day to break the loop. Colt’s abilities, which can be augmented by the game’s slabs (special powers), allow players to approach the game’s challenges in numerous ways. His use of weapons and slabs makes him a versatile character, capable of both stealth and chaos. As the central character, Colt’s progression mirrors the player’s learning curve, making him more capable and strategic as players gain mastery over the game’s systems.
2. Julianna Blake – The Antagonist You Love to Hate
Julianna Blake is Deathloop’s primary antagonist and Colt’s greatest adversary. She works tirelessly to prevent Colt from breaking the loop, viewing the endless cycle as a form of entertainment and intellectual challenge. However, as the game progresses, it becomes clear that Julianna’s role in the narrative is far more complex than just a villain. Her playful, sarcastic banter and enigmatic personality make her one of the most fascinating characters in the game.
Julianna’s Personality and Motivation
Julianna thrives in the loop, viewing it as a perfect world of endless possibilities where she can indulge in her passions—hunting, fighting, and taunting Colt. Her motivations are tied deeply to her relationship with Colt, which is revealed to have a personal, emotional connection. The game slowly unveils the history between them, adding layers of complexity to Julianna’s character. Her dialogue, filled with witty banter and psychological games, gives the impression of a sadistic, yet deeply intellectual individual who finds joy in the chase.
However, beneath her taunting exterior lies a character who is driven by something more than just the thrill of the hunt. As players delve deeper into the game, they uncover Julianna’s reasons for maintaining the loop, which tie into the broader lore of Blackreef and her own personal stakes in keeping Colt trapped.
Gameplay Role
Julianna’s gameplay role is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of Deathloop. She can either be an AI-controlled opponent or controlled by another player in the multiplayer mode, introducing an element of unpredictability. Her goal is to hunt Colt and stop him from completing his mission, which creates intense, unscripted moments of tension. This dynamic adds a layer of strategy, as Colt must not only deal with the Visionaries but also with a highly skilled, persistent opponent.
Julianna’s invasions change the pacing of the game, making every encounter with her a thrilling, high-stakes confrontation. Her appearance often forces players to abandon their plans and engage in combat or flee, making her role integral to the tension and unpredictability of Deathloop.
3. The Visionaries – Architects of the Loop
The Visionaries are the eight key targets Colt must eliminate to break the loop. Each of them represents a different aspect of the Eternalist philosophy, and together, they form the group that controls Blackreef. The Visionaries are all well-developed, quirky, and memorable characters with their own backstories, motivations, and powers. These characters serve as both the narrative and gameplay challenges, each requiring a different approach to defeat.
3.1. Aleksis Dorsey – The Party Animal
Aleksis Dorsey is a flamboyant, wealthy, and egotistical Visionary who hosts wild, hedonistic parties on Blackreef. He is obsessed with wealth and power, embodying the excesses of Eternalism. His personality is larger-than-life, and his parties are lavish spectacles where he entertains guests with his dangerous games. Aleksis is arrogant, viewing himself as untouchable, and his loud, brash nature makes him an easy character to dislike.
Gameplay
Aleksis’ level takes place in his sprawling mansion during a masked ball, where everyone dresses in identical wolf masks. This creates an interesting gameplay dynamic, as Colt must figure out how to identify Aleksis amidst the crowd. His arrogance can be used against him, and finding creative ways to eliminate him is a satisfying challenge. The setting of his mansion also allows for a wide range of approaches, from stealth to all-out combat.
3.2. Egor Serling – The Eccentric Scientist
Egor Serling is a reclusive scientist obsessed with his experiments and the potential of the loop. He believes the loop will allow him to conduct infinite research without the constraints of time. Egor is socially awkward and has a fragile ego, making him an interesting character to interact with. His personality is shaped by his belief in his intellectual superiority, but this arrogance also makes him vulnerable.
Gameplay
Egor’s gameplay section revolves around his research lab, which is filled with traps and advanced technology. Players must navigate through his lab carefully, as Egor’s scientific prowess makes him one of the more challenging Visionaries to defeat. His slab, Aether, allows him to turn invisible, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the encounter.
3.3. Harriet Morse – The Cult Leader
Harriet Morse is a self-proclaimed spiritual leader who uses the loop to preach about the meaning of life and death. She is manipulative and cruel, using her followers as pawns in her twisted experiments. Harriet’s cold demeanor and zealotry make her one of the more unsettling characters in Deathloop, and her level design reflects her dark, cult-like mentality.
Gameplay
Harriet is located in a hangar filled with her followers, creating a chaotic environment where players must deal with both Harriet and her fanatical Eternalists. Her slab, Nexus, links the fates of multiple enemies, allowing players to eliminate groups of foes simultaneously. This slab becomes a key mechanic in both combat and puzzle-solving, adding depth to the gameplay.
3.4. Frank Spicer – The Rockstar with a Dark Side
Frank Spicer is a former rockstar who now runs a radio show on Blackreef, using his platform to promote the Eternalists and the Visionaries. Frank’s personality is abrasive and confrontational, but he hides a darker, more insecure side beneath his rockstar bravado. He clings to the loop as a way to relive his glory days and avoid the inevitable decline of aging.
Gameplay
Frank’s domain is a sprawling radio station, filled with traps and security systems. Players must navigate the environment carefully, avoiding detection while attempting to take Frank down. His loud, brash personality comes through in his combat style, and players can use his arrogance to their advantage.
3.5. Fia Zborowska – The Artist
Fia is an eccentric artist whose creations are fueled by the chaos of the loop. She is passionate, volatile, and prone to explosive outbursts. Fia’s personality is deeply tied to her art, and she views the loop as an endless opportunity to create without consequences. Her artistic flair is reflected in her level design, which is full of colorful, abstract visuals.
Gameplay
Fia’s level takes place in a bomb-filled power station, where her emotional instability is on full display. Players must navigate this dangerous environment, carefully disabling bombs while avoiding her wrath. Her ability to detonate the entire station if triggered adds a high-stakes element to the encounter.
3.6. Charlie Montague – The Game Master
Charlie Montague is a playful, eccentric Visionary who sees the loop as the ultimate game. He designs intricate, deadly puzzles and challenges for the Eternalists and other Visionaries to solve. Charlie’s personality is childish and mischievous, and he delights in creating traps and games for Colt to navigate.
Gameplay
Charlie’s level is a sprawling, interactive game filled with puzzles and deadly traps. Players must use their wits to outsmart Charlie and navigate his complex designs. His slab, Shift, allows players to teleport short distances, adding a new dimension to the gameplay.
3.7. Dr. Wenjie Evans – The Scientist Behind the Loop
Dr. Wenjie Evans is one of the most pivotal characters in Deathloop, as she is the brilliant mind responsible for creating the loop technology. A scientist with a keen intellect and a no-nonsense attitude, Wenjie is driven by her desire to push the boundaries of time manipulation and scientific discovery. Unlike some of the other Visionaries, who are more interested in personal indulgence, Wenjie’s motivations are rooted in intellectual ambition. Her cold and calculated demeanor contrasts sharply with the more flamboyant personalities of the other Visionaries.
Wenjie is unique in that she doesn’t just exist in one place or one version of herself. She has managed to replicate herself, meaning there are multiple versions of her working simultaneously across Blackreef. This adds a fascinating layer to her character, as she embodies the theme of multiplicity that runs throughout the game.
Gameplay
The challenge of confronting Wenjie lies in the fact that Colt must defeat all of her simultaneous copies. This makes her one of the more complex Visionaries to eliminate, as players must not only find each of her versions but also strategize how to deal with them effectively, either one by one or in a coordinated strike. Wenjie’s level reflects her meticulous nature, with numerous traps and technological obstacles to overcome.
Her slab, Havoc, allows her to increase her damage output and reduce the damage she takes, making her an imposing opponent in combat. This ability can be utilized by players once they obtain it, adding a powerful combat option to Colt’s arsenal. Wenjie’s scientific prowess and her ability to duplicate herself make her a formidable Visionary both in terms of narrative significance and gameplay difficulty.
3.8. Ramblin’ Frank Spicer – The Rockstar with a Radio Show
Frank Spicer, also known as “Ramblin’ Frank,” is a former rockstar who now operates the island’s radio station. Frank is an over-the-top personality, still living in the glory of his past fame, and he uses his radio show to spread the word of the Visionaries and the philosophy behind the Eternalists. His personality is abrasive, and he exudes an air of untouchable confidence. However, much like the other Visionaries, Frank’s flamboyant facade masks a deeper insecurity about the inevitability of his decline in a world where time has no meaning.
Frank’s bombastic attitude is one of the more memorable among the Visionaries, as he embraces the loop as a way to cling to the spotlight. He sees himself as a star in this endless cycle, with his radio broadcasts filled with self-praise and disdain for anyone who opposes the Visionaries’ plans, particularly Colt.
Gameplay
Frank is located in his fortified radio station, which serves as both his broadcasting hub and his stronghold. The station is filled with security systems and traps, adding a layer of difficulty to navigating the area. Players must not only deal with Frank’s guards but also deactivate or avoid his traps to reach him. Frank is a character who heavily relies on his technology and his sense of showmanship, so his combat encounter is filled with flair and spectacle.
Frank doesn’t possess a slab of his own, but his combat encounter makes up for it by presenting players with a unique challenge. The radio station can be used against him in creative ways, and players are encouraged to disrupt his operations before taking him down. Frank’s reliance on his fame and the image of himself as a rockstar adds a layer of irony to his defeat, as Colt can dismantle his “stage” before delivering the final blow.
4. Eternalists – The Faceless Followers
While the Visionaries are the focal points of Deathloop’s narrative, the Eternalists—common inhabitants of Blackreef—play a significant role in shaping the world. These faceless, masked NPCs are the followers of the Visionaries and the loop philosophy, living recklessly and indulgently in the endless cycle. They engage in combat with Colt at nearly every turn and provide much of the game’s moment-to-moment challenges.
Eternalists’ Role in the Story
Eternalists represent the island’s population that has fully embraced the loop’s chaos and immortality. Since they wake up every day with no lasting consequences from death, they indulge in violent games, hedonistic parties, and reckless behavior. They see the loop as a playground where they can live out their wildest fantasies without consequences.
From a narrative standpoint, the Eternalists serve as both the enforcers of the Visionaries’ rule and a symbol of the island’s moral decay. Their anonymity (due to their masks) and willingness to kill Colt or protect the Visionaries showcase the extreme effects of living in a world without permanent death. Their blind allegiance to the Visionaries reflects the cult-like atmosphere of Blackreef, where individuals have surrendered their agency to live within the endless loop.
Gameplay
Eternalists are the primary enemies players face throughout Deathloop. They vary in difficulty and capabilities, with some wielding basic weapons while others have access to advanced gear. Their AI behavior is somewhat erratic, reflecting their unhinged personalities, and they often patrol areas in groups, requiring players to approach combat or stealth with strategy.
Although they lack the unique powers of the Visionaries, the Eternalists can still be a significant threat due to their numbers. Players must carefully plan how to engage them, whether through stealth, misdirection, or full-frontal combat. Eternalists’ unpredictability and the varied environments they inhabit add diversity to the combat encounters, ensuring that no two engagements feel exactly the same.
5. Supporting Characters and Lore Figures
Beyond the main cast of Colt, Julianna, and the Visionaries, Deathloop also features a number of supporting characters and lore figures who help flesh out the world of Blackreef. While these characters may not be as prominently featured, they offer valuable insights into the history of the island and the loop’s creation.
Lila Blake – A Ghost from Colt’s Past
Lila Blake is a character shrouded in mystery, with connections to both Colt and Julianna. Through various audio logs and environmental storytelling, players can piece together her importance in Colt’s life before the loop. Lila’s relationship with Colt is hinted at throughout the game, revealing a more personal side to Colt’s motivations for breaking the loop. Although she does not appear directly, Lila’s presence is felt, and her backstory adds emotional weight to Colt’s journey.
The Aeon Program Scientists
The Aeon Program scientists are responsible for the creation of the time loop on Blackreef. While they are not characters players directly interact with during the game, their presence is felt through various logs, documents, and remnants scattered across the island. These figures play a key role in explaining the origins of the loop and provide context for the events unfolding in Deathloop. Their legacy is tied to Wenjie and the Visionaries, as their groundbreaking work led to the chaotic situation on Blackreef.
6. Character Relationships and Dynamics
One of the most compelling aspects of Deathloop is the intricate web of relationships between its characters. The complex dynamic between Colt and Julianna lies at the heart of the story, but the relationships between the Visionaries themselves also add depth to the narrative.
Colt and Julianna – A Relationship Built on Conflict
Colt and Julianna’s relationship is the emotional core of Deathloop. Their interactions are filled with tension, as Julianna taunts Colt at every turn, while Colt struggles to understand her motivations. The banter between the two is filled with dark humor, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their relationship is far more personal and complicated than it first appears.
Without delving into spoilers, their shared history forms the backbone of the game’s narrative, and the revelations about their past add emotional stakes to Colt’s mission. Their constant cat-and-mouse game, both in dialogue and in gameplay, creates an engaging dynamic that keeps players invested in the outcome of their story.
The Visionaries – Dysfunctional Alliances
While the Visionaries all share a common goal in preserving the loop, their individual personalities often clash, creating a dysfunctional group dynamic. Audio logs and environmental storytelling reveal that many of the Visionaries harbor personal grudges and rivalries with one another. For example, Aleksis and Egor have a tense relationship due to Aleksis’ arrogance and Egor’s intellectual superiority complex.
These rivalries and tensions between the Visionaries add depth to the world of Blackreef, as players can exploit these relationships to manipulate events within the loop. The Visionaries are not a united front but rather a collection of egos, each trying to use the loop to their own advantage. This adds another layer of strategy, as players can use their knowledge of the Visionaries’ weaknesses and rivalries to their benefit.
Conclusion: The Characters of Deathloop
Deathloop is a game that thrives on its complex characters and the relationships that drive the narrative forward. From Colt’s desperate attempt to break free of the loop to Julianna’s enigmatic role as both hunter and protector of the loop, the cast of characters is richly developed and filled with personality. The Visionaries, with their distinct motivations and quirky personalities, provide not only gameplay challenges but also narrative depth.
The interplay between these characters and the evolving narrative of Blackreef creates a world that is immersive, intriguing, and full of mystery. Each encounter with the Visionaries feels meaningful, as their personalities and roles in the loop reflect broader themes about time, mortality, and freedom. Ultimately, Deathloop’s characters are what elevate the game from a simple time-loop shooter to a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.