Apex Legends better watch out because a new multiplayer FPS title is gunning for its spot on Steam and it comes from familiar faces.
Not long after Battlefield 2042 surged up the Steam charts following multiple sales and free-to-play weekends, Embark Studios, composed of ex-DICE developers, has shaken up the Steam rankings with the release of its groundbreaking FPS title, The Finals.
The Finals quickly shot up the rankings on its first day, claiming a place among the top 10 most-played games on Steam. With a remarkable peak of around 143,000 concurrent players within its first 24 hours, what’s more impressive is that it managed to retain an impressive player base of around 90,000 during the usual quieter working hours. This rapid rise in popularity is even more noteworthy given the slew of new seasons and limited-time modes released by other major FPS titles concurrently.
A distinctive aspect of The Finals, that separates it from its contemporaries, is its unparalleled destruction engine. Most if not all multiplayer games struggle to accommodate vast-scale destruction because syncing such extensive information across all player clients presents a formidable challenge. However, Embark Studios has reportedly overcome this with its use of advanced backend server technology, allowing buildings to crumble spectacularly under the force of RPG rockets and real-time physics.
For those who have already played through its previous playtests, the open beta introduces exciting new elements, such as the “Bank It” mode. While it draws parallels to the popular Cashout mode, it deviates by letting players gather coins across the map, which can then be deposited at various points to score. This mode has received positive feedback but it is worth noting that the primary obstacle at the moment seems to be server stability, an issue arising from the open beta’s unexpected popularity.
All things considered, this is a good problem to have. Embark Studios had a chance to stress test its servers and found validation that whatever it was already doing was right. The first 48 hours, tumultuous as they may have been, provided valuable insights. Gamers keen on diving into this innovative FPS can access the open beta playtest via The Finals’ Steam page or console, supporting full crossplay.
Ultimately, Embark Studios can rest easy knowing that it’s on the right track. The Finals is lauded for its innovative fast-paced gunplay, customizable character kits, and a unique mix of verticality and destructible environments. Not merely another battle royale or extraction game, it offers a genuinely different feel from its FPS counterparts. Furthermore, the level of destruction, when combined with objective-based gameplay and an assortment of abilities and gadgets, has reminded many of the golden days of DICE.
The Finals’ emphasis on strategy, movement, and environmental interaction over mere shooting accuracy received a ton of praise as well. It’s as if it wasn’t made as a multiplayer FPS title first, but an off-shoot of a single-player FPS title, reminiscent of Arkane Studios’ award-winning games, Dishonored and Deathloop.
The game strikes a unique balance between PvP immersive simulation and traditional FPS gameplay. This encourages its players to strategize with their teammates, utilizing the environment innovatively, and embracing the game’s chaotic energy.
But, like other titles in its early stage, The Finals isn’t perfect. The transition between different gadgets and weapons is a tad too slow for its pace and certain traversal methods feel sluggish as well. Nevertheless, there’s a consensus that the longer time-to-kill and objective capture duration are deliberate choices, meant to enrich the gameplay experience. It promotes prolonged engagements around objectives rather than swift, hit-and-run encounters that are characteristic of other mainstream shooters.
There’s no doubt that the open beta of The Finals has set the stage. While it carries the distinguished legacy of DICE, it is also carving its unique identity in the competitive FPS space. The ongoing open beta will run until November 5, which guarantees that the current all-time peak of 235,948 players won’t last. This should provide players with plenty of opportunity to dive into this thrilling experience and, perhaps, witness the dawn of a new FPS era.
Between The Finals and XDefiant, which was recently delayed, the future of the FPS genre is bright.
