Alpha Review- Deadlock – A Tactical Shooter with Serious Potential (but Needs Some Tweaks)

I’ve been diving into the Deadlock Alpha for the past week, and I’ve gotta say — there’s a lot to like here, but it’s clear the game isn’t quite ready for primetime. As someone who enjoys tactical shooters like Overwatch and Valorant, I was excited to check this one out. The promise of team-based strategy and unique hero abilities definitely grabbed my attention, but there are a few things that need some work before this game hits full release.

What Works: Gameplay and Strategy

Deadlock leans heavily on teamwork, which is something I really appreciate. Each character has a set of abilities that can completely change the flow of a match, and I love that every player’s contribution feels important. It’s not just about being the best shot — positioning, timing, and coordinating with your team are all key. This makes the game feel strategic and rewarding when things come together.

That said, there’s a bit of a learning curve. As a beginner, I often felt like I was still figuring things out while everyone else seemed to be a step ahead. The game encourages mastery of the characters and their abilities. If you’re new, it can feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up.

In Deadlock, gathering souls is crucial to powering up your character and enhancing your build. While your minions act as a defensive line, holding the lanes and protecting you, it’s the souls you collect that truly fuel your growth and increase your strength.

One of the most dangerous yet rewarding places to gather souls is in the dark, forgotten back alleys of the world. These shadowy streets are home to fierce monsters that guard valuable souls. The risks are high, as these creatures won’t go down easily. However the souls they protect offer a significant boost to your character’s abilities. This will help you become more powerful with each harvest.

Along with battling monsters, you’ll also encounter urns/boxes scattered throughout the world. These boxes don’t contain items or gear, but they do hold precious souls—often in large quantities—that can be used to further your character’s strength. They provide an additional, sometimes unexpected, source of power, especially in the heat of battle.

There are also sub-quests and mid-boss encounters in the world. These challenges are difficult but rewarding. Offering not only souls but powerful buffs and advantages that can help your team thrive in the more difficult areas of the game.

Every soul gathered, every urn delivered, and every mid-boss defeated takes you one step closer to mastering your character’s potential. But be warned: the back alleys, with all their hidden dangers, hold the key to your strength. Only the boldest will venture into them to claim the souls they need

Graphics and Style: Impressive, But Not Groundbreaking

One of the things that sets Deadlock apart is its diverse cast of heroes, each with unique abilities and distinct designs. Whether they’re fast and nimble or big and tanky, each hero has a look that matches their playstyle, making it easy to tell who’s who on the battlefield. These designs help define the overall aesthetic of the game, giving each character their own presence and making team compositions visually interesting.

Visually, Deadlock looks pretty solid. The character designs are cool and stand out, and the maps are vibrant without being overwhelming. There’s a certain polish to the game’s art style that feels fresh and clean. The animations are smooth, and overall, the game has a nice flow to it.

It’s not the most jaw-dropping thing I’ve ever seen, but the visuals do the job and complement the fast-paced action. Gunplay feels satisfying, and the character models are detailed enough that you can easily tell who’s who, even in the heat of battle.

The Frustrating Parts: Matchmaking and Balance

Let’s talk about the areas where Deadlock still needs some work, and unfortunately, there are a few glaring issues here. As a newer player, one of my biggest frustrations has been the matchmaking system. More than once, I’ve been thrown into matches against players who were leagues ahead of me in terms of skill and experience. To put it plainly, I was getting steamrolled.

I know that in any competitive game, player skill makes a huge difference in how the match plays out, but when you’re a beginner, it can feel like you’re constantly stuck on one side of that equation. In my case, it was pretty much always the losing side. And it’s not just about getting beat — it’s about not even having a chance to learn the ropes. It’s tough to improve when you’re thrown into matches that feel totally lopsided. It can get discouraging quickly, and it really undermines the fun of trying to figure things out. The matchmaking definitely needs some attention to make sure newer players aren’t constantly getting paired with high-skill veterans.

On top of that, character balance still feels a bit off. Some heroes seem way stronger than others. Their abilities can sometimes feel unreasonably powerful, completely shifting the flow of the match. For example, I came across a player who was absolutely dominating with Wraith. Watching their gameplay, it was clear they knew exactly what they were doing — their team was annihilating the opposition. Honestly, based on how the game played out, it’s safe to say that some heroes, like Wraith, might need a little tuning. Whether it’s damage balance or adjusting character builds, it’s evident that some heroes have an edge that can be tough to counter, especially for newer players.

This isn’t necessarily game-breaking. However it’s clear that Deadlock needs some fine-tuning to make sure the gameplay feels more balanced across the board. Right now, it’s hard to escape the feeling that certain characters or abilities are a little too strong. When you combine that with uneven matchmaking, it can make the experience feel frustrating rather than fun.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I’m pretty optimistic about Deadlock even given it being in Alpha. The foundation is strong, and the game has the potential to be a really fun, tactical shooter. There’s definitely room for improvement, though — especially with matchmaking and character balance. As a newer player, it’s tough to enjoy the game when you’re constantly up against more experienced players. Also some of the characters still feel a little overpowered or underwhelming.

That said, I’m looking forward to seeing how the developers address these issues in the coming months. There’s a lot of promise here, and with a few tweaks, Deadlock could become a solid contender in the team-based shooter space.

If you’re into tactical shooters and can handle a few rough edges, it’s worth checking out. Just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride if you’re new to the genre.

Fatality Gaming Magazine –