Concord Review

Concord, the latest entry into the crowded hero shooter genre by Firewalk Studios, is a game that attempts to fuse vibrant visuals, engaging gunplay, and a deep lore into a cohesive multiplayer experience. Released amid high expectations, Concord faces the daunting task of carving out a niche in a market dominated by heavyweights like Overwatch 2 and Valorant. Priced at $40, the game positions itself as a premium experience, promising high production values and a narrative-driven multiplayer mode. However, despite its polished appearance and a roster of uniquely designed characters, Concord struggles with an identity crisis, and in this review, we’ll explore whether Concord has what it takes to stand out or if it’s doomed to fade into obscurity.

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AT A GLANCE
Genre: Action
Developer: Firewalk Studios
Publisher: PlayStation Publishing LLC
Release Date: 23 Aug, 2024

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Narrative

One of the most puzzling aspects of Concord is its emphasis on narrative in a genre where story often takes a backseat to gameplay. The game’s lore, conveyed through cutscenes and the Galactic Guide, is meant to provide a deeper connection to the universe and its characters. However, the narrative elements feel tacked on rather than integral to the experience. With only a handful of cutscenes available at launch and more promised in future updates, the story feels underdeveloped and fails to offer a compelling reason to keep playing.

The disjointed nature of the narrative is particularly evident in the way it interacts with the multiplayer experience. For a game that seems to place significant weight on its story, the disconnect between the narrative and the gameplay is jarring. The same characters you see in cutscenes are duplicated on the battlefield without any explanation, undermining any sense of immersion the story might have created. This narrative inconsistency leaves players wondering why Firewalk Studios didn’t choose to develop a single-player campaign, which might have allowed the game’s lore and characters to shine more effectively.

Gameplay

Concord distinguishes itself in the crowded hero shooter genre with its exceptionally crafted gameplay. Firewalk Studios, boasting veterans from acclaimed franchises like Destiny, Call of Duty, and Mass Effect, has channeled its expertise into creating a shooter experience that is both tight and responsive. The moment-to-moment gameplay is a standout feature, delivering a mix of fast-paced, twitchy action and more strategic, tactical engagements depending on the character and class selection.

One of Concord’s most significant improvements over other games in the genre is its intricate class system and the innovative Crew Builder feature. The six classes of Freegunners are not just about offering varied abilities; they introduce a layer of strategy that rewards thoughtful team composition and adaptability. While games like Overwatch and Apex Legends have defined class-based shooters, Concord takes this a step further by integrating a deckbuilding-inspired system. The Crew Builder allows players to customize their roster with different Freegunners, unlocking unique buffs and perks that enhance team performance in subtle but impactful ways.

For instance, playing as Anchor provides a team-wide healing buff, offering a strategic advantage in prolonged engagements. On the other hand, Tacticians like Lark can deploy Spore Seeds, continuously buffing allies and adding a layer of support that can turn the tide in close matches. This level of customization and the ability to tailor your team to your playstyle is a refreshing twist that elevates Concord above many of its peers, making each match feel dynamic and personalized.

Variety and Strategic Depth

The strategic depth in Concord is further accentuated by the diverse gameplay styles enabled by its class system. Unlike many shooters that pigeonhole players into specific roles, Concord encourages experimentation and adaptability. Whether you prefer the agility and high-mobility playstyle of Haunts, with their impressive acrobatics and teleportation, or the brute force and crowd control abilities of characters like Duchess, there’s something for everyone. This variety ensures that players are not just playing the same character over and over but are instead exploring different combinations to find what works best for them.

In comparison to other hero shooters like Valorant or Overwatch 2, Concord’s character classes feel more interconnected, with a stronger emphasis on team synergy. The Crew Builder’s influence on gameplay cannot be understated—it’s a system that rewards teamwork and foresight, as the right combination of Freegunners can create a formidable team with complementary strengths and minimal weaknesses. This aspect of the game is a welcome departure from the often rigid meta strategies found in other titles, offering players the freedom to craft their own path to victory.

Despite its strong gameplay mechanics, Concord faces challenges in terms of content. At launch, the game offers six modes and twelve maps, which, while well-designed, feel somewhat limited compared to other games in the genre. Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Rainbow Six Siege launched with a broader array of content, offering more maps and modes to keep players engaged long-term.

The split between respawn and non-respawn modes in Concord is a standard feature in many shooters, but it doesn’t push the envelope in terms of innovation. Respawn modes like Takedown and Trophy Hunt provide the traditional team deathmatch experience, while objective-based modes like Overrun and Signal Chase encourage more tactical gameplay. While these modes are enjoyable and polished, they don’t introduce anything particularly new or groundbreaking, which might be a missed opportunity for a game trying to carve out its niche in a competitive market.

One of the most significant issues affecting Concord’s longevity is the slow matchmaking times. During the early access period and even after the game’s official launch, players often experienced wait times of two minutes or more to get into a match, particularly in the more competitive, no-respawn modes. This issue, coupled with the relatively small player base, raises concerns about the game’s future. In comparison, competitors like Apex Legends or Fortnite manage to maintain quick matchmaking times, even during off-peak hours, due to their large and active player communities.

Visuals and Presentation

At first glance, Concord impresses with its striking visuals and high production values. The game opens with a cinematic cutscene that sets a vibrant, futuristic tone, pulling players into a universe teeming with potential. The lighting, textures, and overall graphical fidelity are top-notch, showcasing Firewalk Studios’ commitment to creating a visually stunning experience. Each of the 16 characters, known as Freegunners, has a distinct look, though they fall into somewhat predictable archetypes. While this polish is commendable, the character designs lack the uniqueness that might have set them apart in a crowded market.

The aesthetic borrows heavily from other popular IPs, drawing comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy and Destiny. For instance, the character Star Child bears an uncanny resemblance to Drax, and Lennox channels Star-Lord’s cocky swagger. While these similarities are not necessarily negative, they do contribute to Concord‘s broader issue of struggling to establish its own identity. The game’s cutscenes, though visually appealing, offer little in the way of meaningful story development, leaving players with characters that feel more like imitations than originals.

The Galactic Guide, an in-game codex designed to flesh out the lore, further complicates Concord‘s presentation. While the idea of an expansive galaxy map filled with lore tidbits is intriguing, the execution is a convoluted mess. Players are bombarded with notifications prompting them to check out new entries, but the experience is less about discovery and more about wading through overwhelming amounts of text. A more traditional, streamlined approach might have made the lore more accessible and engaging, but as it stands, the Galactic Guide is more likely to deter players than immerse them.