SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada

I'll start with the fact I got this at 95% off which means outside of it being buggy/broken or otherwise unplayable, it's very likely going to be positive experience. With that out the way... Well, they finally got me. This was a game that I was excited for the moment it was announced with it's trailer however long ago that was. Hell, the whole PvPvE and extraction shooter deal was still fine assuming the former was optional (it isn't really but I believe there is a system that kinda maybe separates players). Naturally, this meant it was very much a waiting game on release where I just had to hope such a split happens (I think there is a PvE map now, that you can unlock at some point). Anyway, fast forward to now. I figured I might as well try it out given the price of less than £2. So far, it's been a fun experience with the few hours/sorties I've done. It's pretty much what I expecting game-wise and my encounters with other players have been very positive and friendly. I mean, even when I got tag-teamed jump scared by a 'bandit boss' notification followed up with a player popping out in front of me, resulting in me shooting at them briefly, not sure if I actually hit (sorry about that either way, in the off chance you see this). Outside of that one time, it's basically just saying hello as we pass by. As someone who prefers a more solo experience or at most, a general passive engagement with other players, I'm enjoying these interactions. For those wanting more player interactions and engagement, this might be a huge turn off (I'd imagine most of those types of players have already come and gone by now). I guess I can throw in the bandits stuff at this point. I didn't know that was a thing, I assumed it was just the monsters and other players. So I was naturally unsure if I should shoot back but then I noticed they were somewhat different from players (UI display, mech/Cradlecoffin and Magus). Generally, they are fun to fight (and sort of the highlight of the game for me) though some of the bosses are extremely tough and brutal up close, turns out shotguns are a real gamble... especially if they have a shotgun too. On that note, I enjoy the gun selection so far, you have 2 types with 2/3 sub-types (light, heavy and for live ammo, shotgun shells). Personally, I'm more of a live ammo person (same deal with Shooty SAO games). The starting weapons (Assault Rifle, Submachine Gun and Shotgun) were fine but what I really wanted was a sort of autocannon (and/or HMG) coz I'm in a mech, it's 2+2. Sadly there isn't really an autocannon but the Marksmen Rifle was beefy enough to make up for it (have yet to try the live ammo Sniper Rifle) and for the HMG side, there was the Heavy Repeater which was close enough. I suppose that leads to the Mech or Cradlecoffin, this was definitely a big hook for me, even they aren't really the designs I'd go for. But hey, plenty of fun to be had driving a giant tin can with arms and legs. Obviously the extraction shooter part means you can lose all your stuff so I've played safe and use only stuff I can replace easily (as in they can be bought from the item shop). On that note, money hasn't really been an issue for me so far as the haul I get from a single run tends to cover the insurance cost and buying/repairing of gear. Oddly enough for me, it was ammo that I was worried the most about at first, I wasn't sure how to go about it. Like, should I buy it or am I suppose to find it on the field. After adjusting to the game, I quickly figured out that it was a non-issue and bulk buying ammo was easily covered by the haul. This leads to a lesson learned real quick... do not undercut your ammo when heading out. On my second or third run (I had the request to get kills with the spider arms equipped), I decide to go lighter on the ammo due to the spider set having less carry weight than the ogre set. So yeah, if it wasn't already obvious where this was going... I ran out of ammo rather quickly and had to make a beeline to the nearest elevator with just 2 SMG rounds left (which is kind of dark now that I think about it, but hey, that adds to the story). I really like the Magus part of the game, well, minus the more interesting outfits being behind the premium shop. It reminds me of the Titanfall 1/2 AI you got, makes me miss playing TF1. It might not be for everyone but I like having a companion. It's a shame you are stuck with the skill you pick until you get another Magus (which I've yet to do). I went with Defensive coz I like walls which I think best fits me, though I find myself wishing I had the Weather Gazer (as the rain is a pain) due to how often I'm stuck in the rain (seriously, it's getting way too real). The healer one has also been appealing at times where I've ran out of repair kits and I'm not in a very happy situation (be it distance from the elevator or a gazer/bandit has decided to say hello). Performance-wise, I've had a pretty clean experience with no issues. That said I would expect so given my system should be on the more higher end (not that I really keep up with any of that stuff and it's now 2 years old). No idea how it is on lower/mid systems but at 95% off, it's not the worst gamble to make (assuming you're interested and know what you're getting into). So yeah, at the price I paid, this would be a recommend. It is very much of a *conditions apply case given what it is and where it is at now. The fact I recommend it would seemingly put it at odds of what most would want from a PvPvE extraction shooter. That said, at 95% off and with the 2 hour refund window, I think that's more than enough to give the game a chance and get a feel for it, for those interested but unsure (like myself). Even in the case of missing the refund window, the money spent shouldn't be too much of a loss (I think there would be more pressing questions if it was).