Deadline is a real-time tactics game, in which the player navigates a squad of soldiers through discrete missions. The game combines real-time gameplay with pre-planning stages.[3] Its gameplay style has been compared to that of Jagged Alliance and X-COM: UFO Defense.[2]
William R. Trotter of PC Gamer US was unimpressed with Deadline. He concluded, "Despite its interesting concept, Deadline is dead on arrival."[2]Computer Game Review's critic was significantly more positive, calling the gameplay "great fun" and arguing that "strategy and action game fans should take a good look at Deadline."[3]