I'm a sucker for good time-travel or time-loop stories, although they can sometimes be tedious. This was gritty and down to earth, with no slick white futuristic lab... just a guy and his garage. It was way easier to understand than Primer but not nearly as much fun to watch as Retroactive. I found ARQ to be ultimately depressing, leaving me with a sense of futility. And there was a lot of blood in the meantime.
Not a lot of reactionary counts on this one... one LOL moment when the couple pops up out of bed cursing, and a couple of holy crap moments when people died unexpectedly or in extra hideous ways. It's not that it's terribly bland, just not that surprising. If you're a fan of this type of story, then you've seen it before... it's just the science that's different.
Ultimately, if you like time-loop stories and they don't distract you, you'll find this one a good one to craft to. It doesn't condescend, but neither is it too obscure that you feel like you have to study every moment to follow the story. Just make sure you have something light and funny handy as a palate cleanser after, because it's a bit on the grim side.
Four and a half stars. I don't always need a happy ending, but the specifics of this tale ending in such a depressing manner hit a little too close to home.
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