Introduction
the show where we take an in-depth look at new games to see what’s good, what’s bad, and everything in between. Today, we’re diving into Concord, the next major PlayStation 5 exclusive. This project has generated a lot of buzz, primarily because Sony bought the studio, Firewalk, the moment they saw it. Firewalk is a team composed of developers who have worked on massive titles like Destiny, Halo, Call of Duty, and even the old-school SOCOM. Despite the high expectations, Concord feels like it needs significant patches and work to be truly ready for its launch next month.
First Impressions and Gameplay
Off-the-Cuff Impressions
I’ve played about four hours of Concord so far. These are just my initial impressions, but I believe the game has potential, even if I don’t entirely understand its existence. PlayStation has expressed a desire for more live service projects, such as Helldivers 2, aiming for games with constant battle passes and microtransactions to keep players engaged. Concord will be a single $40 purchase, giving players access to all characters and maps, with numerous cosmetic microtransactions available.
Hero Shooter Mechanics
Concord is essentially a hero shooter reminiscent of Overwatch, but it lacks the spark of originality. In the beta, there are three game modes and 16 characters, each with unique abilities. Some characters focus on ranged attacks, others on defense or healing, while some possess peculiar skills like sneaking with a silenced pistol and creating magical walls. Despite these unique abilities, the game’s balancing is radically off.
Balancing Issues
Character Imbalance
The most glaring issue is the imbalance among characters. For instance, a sniper can deal extreme damage, lay landmines, and super jump, making them incredibly dangerous. In contrast, tank characters move sluggishly, making it challenging to reach the battlefield and contribute effectively. This disparity makes certain characters non-optional, forcing players to include them to stand a chance at winning.
Movement and Skill Differences
Movement, jumping, and damage vary significantly between characters, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Some characters are so overpowered that they can take out multiple opponents single-handedly. This imbalance is especially noticeable in permadeath modes, where strategic character selection becomes crucial.
Game Modes and Strategy
Casual vs. Permadeath Modes
In casual mode, players can respawn, with matches often focusing on achieving 30 kills first. In permadeath mode, players get one life per round, making strategic gameplay essential. However, this mode highlights the game’s balancing issues, as teams either stack high-damage dealers or tanky characters to survive, resulting in unengaging gameplay.
Defensive Skills and Strategy
Certain characters possess defensive skills that can significantly impact gameplay. For example, an alien spore character can drop spores that provide extra defense to teammates standing on them. While these abilities add strategic depth, they also make some characters essential for success, further emphasizing the game’s balance problems.
Monetization and Community Feedback
Pricing and Player Interest
One major concern is Concord‘s $40 price tag. In a market saturated with free-to-play games, this upfront cost may deter potential players. If Concord were free-to-play with a robust patch roadmap and active community engagement, it might attract more interest.
Long-Term Viability
The current state of Concord raises concerns about its long-term viability. Many live service games struggle to maintain player interest and eventually shut down, making any microtransaction investments futile. Early access already shows five-minute queues for ranked matches, hinting at potential longevity issues.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Potential and Patching
Concord has the potential to be fantastic with enough patching and balancing. However, its current state leaves much to be desired. The game’s hero shooter mechanics and strategic depth are overshadowed by significant balancing issues and an upfront cost that may limit its player base.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Concord feels like a generic hero shooter with a lot of work ahead to reach its potential. The game’s balancing issues, high-damage characters, and essential defensive skills create an uneven gameplay experience. While the art style and character designs are appealing, they can’t make up for the lack of fun and excitement.