After the viral success of Helldivers, Sony found themselves riding the wave of immense expectations with their latest release, Concord. Touted initially as 2024’s most anticipated title, Concord has unfortunately garnered the reputation of being the biggest flop of the year. Yet, it is important to note that this label may be somewhat unjustified. Concord is, at its core, a notably well-crafted game. In an era when several highly-anticipated games like Avengers and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have faltered by adopting the Games as a Service (GaaS) model, the market has grown increasingly unforgiving. Even still, Concord harbors significant potential that could eventually see it thrive, albeit possibly after transitioning to a Free-to-Play model. Therefore, our initial recommendation is for players to hold off on purchasing just yet and wait for this shift.
At first glance, Concord could be mistaken for a reimagined version of Guardians of the Galaxy. The game shares a quasi-’80s meets sci-fi aesthetic that many players will find familiar. The character designs bear a striking resemblance to popular figures such as Starlord, Dax, and Dr. Strange, although Firewalk Studios has ensured enough differences to avert legal complications. The story of Concord is rife with intrigue but leaves much to be desired in terms of clarity. It introduces a crew of misfits who gain acceptance into the elite FreeGunners, a group who engage in skirmishes with other crews. The narrative unfolds episodically, adding both a sense of prolonged anticipation and some initial confusion about the broader storyline.
One of Concord’s greatest strengths lies in its impeccable voice acting, character design, and the performances that breathe life into these galactic misfits. From the outset, the player feels an immediate connection with the characters and the world they inhabit. The motivations and backgrounds of the characters are well-developed, but the decision to have them shoot at each other instead of collaborating against common foes raises questions. A more engaging premise could have involved crews battling over explicit objectives, bounties, or missions, akin to the collaborative experiences found in Helldivers. Instead, the gameplay modes on offer stick to familiar formulas: elimination matches, capturing flags, and collecting opponent’s cards.
Borrowing heavily from the playbooks of successful shooters like Overwatch and Valorant, Concord mimics their team-based structures.
. However, it falls short in making these missions feel integral to its universe. The encounters, though mechanically sound, often seem disconnected from the broader narrative, giving the impression that characters are engaging in combat for its own sake rather than for any compelling reason linked to the storyline.
Despite these criticisms, when you isolate the gameplay mechanics, Concord delivers a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Experimenting with its varied characters unveils a layer of strategic depth and enjoyment. The character roster is diverse, and the balancing of abilities is noteworthy. Characters such as Haymar, with his volatile fire powers, present high-risk, high-reward scenarios, whereas Lark leverages spore attacks to set up strategic defenses. Roka, with her jetpack and rockets, offers a dynamic way to dominate the battlefield. Each character’s unique abilities create opportunities for different playstyles and tactical considerations.
The level design complements these abilities, providing corridors and specialized zones where vertical maneuverability or strategic positioning can turn the tide of battle. Concord’s visual appeal is undeniable; the game bursts with color and personality, with numerous nods to Guardians of the Galaxy in both aesthetics and tone. Performance-wise, it runs smoothly, making for an enjoyable gameplay experience.
However, the critical issue remains its dwindling player base. With only around 900 concurrent players on Steam, Concord’s multiplayer environment struggles to maintain the vibrant community necessary for a game of this nature to thrive. For a GaaS title, a healthy, active player base is the lifeblood, and without it, the game faces an uphill battle.
This brings us to the most prudent course of action: patience. While Concord’s current $40 price tag seems steep, considering the plethora of high-quality, free alternatives like Valorant, waiting for it to become Free-to-Play is advisable. This transition could breathe new life into the game, potentially drawing in the players it desperately needs to create a rich, engaging multiplayer experience.
In conclusion, Concord offers a solid foundation with its compelling gameplay and well-crafted characters but is marred by a lack of cohesion in its narrative and an unsustainable player engagement model. Keep an eye on this title, but for now, the wisest move is to wait and see how it evolves in the weeks and months to come.
