“Concord has the bones of a fun multiplayer game, but it’s missing the meat.”
Pros
- Great hero designs
- Fun once you find a groove
- Unique strategies
- Strong progression hooks
Cons
- Dry world-building
- Character balance issues
- Confusing crew system
I had high expectations for the Freegunner life in Concord, the new 5v5 shooter on PlayStation 5. The vivid cast of mercenaries and the dangerous universe they navigate seemed captivating. However, my experience controlling zones in typical game settings left me wanting more.
Concord is a competent multiplayer game with a foundation in hero shooter mechanics, a diverse character roster, and a rich lore that unfolds gradually. Despite these strengths, the game lacks the innovation needed to stand out in a crowded genre, resulting in a serviceable but unexceptional experience that may struggle to maintain a player base over time.
Building a galaxy
Concord follows the standard hero shooter formula with familiar game modes but distinguishes itself with a strong emphasis on narrative. The game introduces players to the lore through cinematic scenes and lore logs that are released regularly. While this storytelling approach is commendable, the initial cutscenes I encountered felt disconnected from the overarching plot, offering more humor than depth.
The set dressing is far more inventive than the game underneath it.
Despite its narrative ambitions, Concord shines in character design. The diverse and visually striking cast of heroes not only adds aesthetic appeal but also enhances gameplay clarity by ensuring each character is easily recognizable. However, the extensive world-building present in the Galactic Guide feels detached from the actual gameplay, offering more background information than meaningful context.
While Concord’s progression system effectively incentivizes players to engage with the game regularly through daily, weekly, and seasonal objectives, the reward system may feel underwhelming. Each character’s unique progression and unlockables offer some motivation to explore different playstyles, but the cosmetic rewards lack excitement.
Teetering off balance
As a hero shooter, Concord offers a variety of modes but lacks a defining standout feature. The gameplay feels slightly generic, with a focus on adapting characters to fit different modes rather than crafting gameplay around specific ideas. While character diversity allows for strategic depth, the game’s gunplay can feel imbalanced and inconsistent, affecting the overall experience.
With some balancing, I know it’ll be easier to find the fun.
Character balance issues and mode-specific gameplay drawbacks highlight Concord’s shortcomings. While each hero brings a unique playstyle, certain characters may feel underpowered or irrelevant in certain modes, limiting strategic options and creating uneven matches.
Despite its gameplay flaws, Concord’s character abilities offer strategic depth and opportunities for creative play. Each hero’s unique skills and abilities can lead to inventive strategies and engaging moments, elevating the overall experience.
Concord‘s crew system introduces a novel approach to character selection and buffs but lacks clarity and impact. The convoluted crew management, coupled with alternate versions of heroes, adds unnecessary complexity without delivering significant gameplay benefits.
Several surface-level decisions stapled on top of one another.
In conclusion, Concord showcases potential but falls short due to its derivative design choices and lack of innovative gameplay elements. While the game has its moments of fun and engagement, it struggles to stand out in a competitive market. With improvements in balancing and clarity, Concord may find its place among players, but it faces an uphill battle in retaining its audience in the long run.
Concord was tested on PS5.
