Decoding the Gleam: Unraveling the Mystery of Shiny Things in Deathloop

So, you’ve found yourself wandering the looping shores of Blackreef, and you’re seeing shimmering, glittering objects scattered around. What are these mysterious shiny things in Deathloop? Simply put, they’re Residuum, the essential currency that allows Colt to infuse his gear, ensuring he keeps his hard-earned weapons, slabs, and trinkets from one loop to the next. Think of it as the magical glue holding your arsenal together across the temporal chaos.

Residuum: The Key to Breaking the Loop

Residuum isn’t just some random collectible. It’s the very essence of breaking the loop. Before you unlock the ability to collect and use it, each new loop begins with Colt stripped bare, forced to scavenge for weapons and powers all over again. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to nail a complex plan involving specific gear.

After you eliminate your first Visionary, a pivotal story event unlocks Colt’s ability to interact with Residuum. From that point onward, these glowing objects become crucial to your progress. Collecting them allows you to infuse items, essentially guaranteeing they remain in your inventory at the start of each subsequent loop.

More Than Just Shiny: The Nuances of Residuum

While the basic function of Residuum is straightforward, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Sources of Residuum: You can collect Residuum from the glowing objects found throughout Blackreef, from the bodies of defeated Visionaries, and by sacrificing unwanted weapons, slabs, and trinkets. Each of these methods offers different amounts, with Visionaries being the most lucrative source.

• Prioritization is Key: Early in the game, Residuum can be scarce. You’ll need to carefully consider which items are most important to infuse. Focus on your favorite weapons, powerful slabs, and trinkets that complement your playstyle. As you progress, you’ll accumulate more Residuum, allowing you to infuse a wider range of gear.

• Visionary Residuum Bonuses: Killing a Visionary for the first time will grant a significant amount of Residuum. Subsequent kills on the same Visionary will also grant Residuum, but in smaller amounts.

• Strategic Sacrifice: Don’t be afraid to sacrifice items you don’t need. If you find a weapon that’s similar to one you already have infused, consider sacrificing the new one for extra Residuum.

• Residuum and Power: Remember that Residuum isn’t just about retaining gear. It’s about building momentum. The more powerful and versatile your arsenal, the more effectively you can tackle the challenges Blackreef throws your way.

Mastering the Art of Infusion

The infusion process itself is simple. Access the Infusion menu from the loadout screen. There, you can see all the items in your inventory and choose which ones to infuse using your accumulated Residuum. The cost of infusion varies depending on the item’s rarity and power. Higher rarity weapons and slabs will require more Residuum to infuse.

Before each loop restarts, you’ll have the opportunity to infuse any new gear you’ve acquired. Take advantage of this opportunity to refine your loadout and ensure you’re always prepared for what’s to come.

The Importance of Visionary Kills

Visionary kills are not only essential for advancing the story, but they also provide a significant influx of Residuum. Prioritize taking down Visionaries early and often, not just for the powers they grant, but for the resources they provide to fuel your infusion efforts. The Fugue Slab, guarded by The Garbage Collector, which is found in Karl’s Bay in the Afternoon, might be useful for you. Remember that the Goldenloop adds one new group of enemies and one boss-type enemy to Deathloop.

Deathloop’s Allure: A Game Rooted in Replayability

Deathloop’s brilliance lies in its compelling gameplay loop, blending immersive sim elements, roguelite mechanics, and a time-bending narrative into a captivating experience. The shooting and stealth mechanisms work well. The powers are fun, and the rogue-lite system works great. It’s fun to build up your arsenal and adapt Colt to your own playstyle. Games Learning Society embraces innovative approaches to understanding games and their impact on learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights.

Deathloop FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. What happens if I die before infusing items?

If you die before infusing, you’ll lose all the uninfused items you were carrying. This is why it’s crucial to prioritize infusion whenever you have the opportunity.

2. Can I get Residuum back if I decide to sacrifice an infused item?

No, once an item is infused, you cannot sacrifice it for Residuum. Think carefully before you infuse, as you’re committing to keeping that item for future loops.

3. Is there a limit to how much Residuum I can carry?

No, there is no limit to the amount of Residuum you can hold. This allows you to stockpile resources for infusing multiple powerful items at once.

4. What’s the fastest way to farm Residuum?

The most efficient way to farm Residuum is to target Visionaries. Even if you’ve already acquired their slabs, killing them repeatedly will grant a steady supply of Residuum.

5. Are there any trinkets that boost Residuum acquisition?

No, there are no specific trinkets that directly increase the amount of Residuum you collect. However, trinkets that improve your combat effectiveness can indirectly boost your Residuum income by allowing you to kill enemies and Visionaries more efficiently.

6. What is infusion in Deathloop?

Infusion in Deathloop is a process where you infuse a weapon, slab, or trinket, so you don’t lose it at the beginning of the next loop. Before unlocking this process, you’ll have to manually locate and collect these items at the start of the day.

7. Why is Residuum important?

Residuum is important because it allows you to retain your favorite and most powerful gear across multiple loops, making it easier to progress through the game and achieve your goals.

8. How do I unlock the ability to collect Residuum?

You unlock the ability to collect Residuum by completing a specific story event after killing the first Visionary.

9. What happens to uninfused weapons if I complete the loop?

Any uninfused weapons, slabs, or trinkets in your inventory will be lost when the loop resets.

10. Is it better to infuse slabs or weapons first?

This depends on your playstyle, but generally, it’s a good idea to infuse at least one slab early on, as powers can significantly enhance your combat and traversal abilities.

11. Can I infuse everything in the game?

Yes, with enough time and effort, you can eventually infuse all of the weapons, slabs, and trinkets in the game. This requires careful planning and efficient Residuum farming.

12. Does the difficulty setting affect the amount of Residuum I earn?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect the amount of Residuum you earn.

13. How many levels does Deathloop have?

You can visit each location at four different times of day: morning, noon, afternoon and evening. In other words, there are 16 different levels — four locations multiplied by four times of day. Colt can only visit four levels per loop, one in the morning, one at noon, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

14. Can you save guns in Deathloop?

Initially, yes. If you run out of reprises (lives), you will lose all your weapons and trinkets and go back to the start of the day. But very early on you gain the ability to preserve items across loops.

15. What are the rarity colors in Deathloop?

Guns picked up from dispatched baddies usually fall relatively low on Deathloop’s weapon rarity scale. Each gun in the game has a corresponding color, which indicates its rarity. The four categories of weapon rarity are: Crude (gray), Sleek (blue), Exemplar (purple), and Unique (gold/orange).

By understanding the nature of Residuum and mastering the art of infusion, you’ll be well-equipped to break the loop and unravel the secrets of Blackreef. Good luck, and happy hunting!