Concord is Guardians of the Galaxy meets Overwatch

As a long-time fan of hero shooters and sci-fi settings, I was ecstatic when I heard about Concord, the new live-service game from Firewalk Studios, which promises to bring a fresh take on the genre with its cast of mercenaries in a dangerous galaxy. Jumping into the Early Access Beta, I was immediately captivated by the cinematic opening featuring several playable characters, each with their unique charm and backstory.

PlayStation has expressed its intention to add more live-service games to its collection of first-party titles, and Firewalk Studios’ Concord is among the initial offerings. This game introduces a group of mercenaries struggling to survive in a perilous galaxy. It draws motivation from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy but aims to bring something new to the hero shooter genre.

Entering Concord’s Early Access Beta, I was welcomed by a cinematic showcasing some of the game’s playable characters. The developers have announced that they will be releasing new cinematics each week, providing backstory for the game world in addition to its live-service features. This innovative approach is an effective way to build connections with players in a game lacking a traditional narrative mode.

Concord is Guardians of the Galaxy meets Overwatch

Before starting a game, I checked out the list of available characters, called “Freegunners.” As players advance, they’ll gain rewards to customize their profiles and demonstrate their abilities. Every Freegunner has an individual level that can be increased by using them in games and finishing tasks. This results in unlocking unique weapon designs and Freegunner costumes to personalize each character.

Prior to the beginning of a match, each player has the opportunity to choose which Freegunner they prefer to use. Just like in games such as Overwatch and Valorant, there can only be one instance of a particular character on a team. Consequently, it’s important to act swiftly if you wish to secure your preferred choice. I found myself drawn to Teo due to his resemblance to the classic soldier prototype, outfitted with an assault rifle, frag grenade, and smoke grenade.

In Concord, the fight duration is intentionally extended to allow for dynamic battles where players can employ their skills and teamwork. During encounters when I found myself at a disadvantage in numbers or strength, I resorted to using smoke grenades as an escape or delaying tactic until reinforcements arrived. Communication was key, and I frequently pressed the ping button to alert my allies whenever I detected enemies.

Concord is Guardians of the Galaxy meets Overwatch

I also found playing the Freegunner character Bazz to be very enjoyable, despite the fact that she doesn’t rely on guns but rather uses an assortment of throwing knives instead. Her unconventional approach makes her a sneaky and unpredictable adversary in every encounter.

Firewalk clearly invested significant time and effort in creating distinctive characters for the Concord roster. Each member stands out as if they could star in their own game. They regularly interact with one another using unique phrases, and they often respond to their surroundings.

In the beta, I’ve found an impressive variety of game modes to explore. Among my favorites is Trophy Hunt, reminiscent of Call of Duty’s Kill Confirmed. Here, I hunt for items dropped by slain adversaries to rack up points. Another captivating mode is Cargo Run and Clash Point, where teams compete to accomplish objectives and secure victory.

Concord is Guardians of the Galaxy meets Overwatch

I’m wary of announcements for new live-shooter games nowadays, but Concord has piqued my interest with its appealing characters and uncomplicated gameplay. I plan on revisiting the Open Beta and the upcoming release in August to form a complete assessment.

This preview is based on the Concord Early Access Beta thanks to a code from PlayStation Studios.

2024-07-15 21:27

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