Concord was introduced during the PlayStation State of Play in May and left most players confused about its main focus. Its cinematic trailer seemed like something out of the Guardians of the Galaxy universe, featuring a group of alien characters with a peculiar sense of humor.
Those who purchased the game in pre-release now have the opportunity to test it in a closed beta. On PC, players have to either create a PSN account or log into their existing account. There will also be an open beta period for the remaining players to change their minds.
But what makes this game worth noting in a genre predominantly occupied by free titles with a strong emphasis on microtransactions, especially visual ones? It has been promised to players that all future updates, including new characters, will be free, without the need to spend real money. All characters come equipped with customizable elements like skins, accessories, victory poses, and more. All these items will be unlocked randomly as the player and the character level up.
Each time the player starts the game, a cutscene reveals Concord’s story and positions each character in its universe. Honestly, I liked these small narrative elements, which stand out due to the graphics and facial physics, although at times the voice doesn’t match the subtitles. These are issues that will surely be polished by the release. However, I felt that the game’s setting doesn’t align with the initial cutscene, which suggests the group is about to embark on a galactic adventure, while in reality, they are stuck in a PVP arena shooter.
The gameplay is fun, combining intense action and some strategy. It is not at all a similar experience to Call of Duty or Overwatch. If it had to be compared to something, I would say the movement and feel of the characters resemble Destiny, but with its own essence, perhaps a bit heavier, where each shot counts, requiring several hits to take down an enemy. Each Freegunner has two abilities, which can be used offensively or defensively, in addition to a passive ability.
The graphics are excellent. The facial expressions are among the best I’ve seen, although this doesn’t have a direct impact on gameplay. The map design perfectly captures the galactic atmosphere and is set up in an interesting way that allows for quick adaptation.
This beta version includes three types of game modes: Brawl, where the objective is to defeat the enemy team by achieving the highest number of takedowns; Rivalry, which doesn’t allow respawns and is divided into two subcategories: Cargo Run, where the objective is to plant a “bomb” and defend the area, and Clash Point, which involves capturing the zone and eliminating rivals. Lastly, there is Takeover, which consists of capturing and defending the opposing team’s objectives.
Without a doubt, Concord will be a title to watch in the arena shooter spectrum. It won’t compete with Overwatch, but it might carve out its own niche within the genre.
