Concord Review

Concord has been in development for eight years, a considerable amount of time in the ever-evolving world of hero shooters. Over the years, the genre has seen numerous entries, and players have become increasingly discerning, seeking something fresh and innovative. Unfortunately, Concord faces the challenge of standing out in this crowded space.

Core Mechanics and Gameplay

At the heart of Concord lies a unique mechanic centred around character switching. To make your favorite character stronger, you’re encouraged to try out others, unlocking perks that enhance their abilities. For instance, some characters offer faster reloads, increased movement speed, or long-range damage boosts. This system is designed to push players out of their comfort zones, promoting experimentation and adaptability. However, the success of this mechanic depends heavily on players' willingness to switch characters and understand the game’s deeper mechanics. If your teammates don’t grasp the importance of this system, it can lead to a frustrating experience.

To truly enjoy Concord, you must be committed to mastering its mechanics. Building crews to stack buffs, considering matchups with other teams, and coordinating with your team are all essential elements of gameplay. It’s clear that Firewalk Studios had a story to tell—there’s a wealth of lore in the Galactic Guide—but the absence of a story mode feels like a missed opportunity, especially when the universe they’ve built is so rich.

Game Modes

Concord offers a variety of game modes to keep players engaged:

• Brawl is a 5v5 PvP respawn mode where you can dive into Team Deathmatch or Trophy Hunt, the latter being a twist on the classic Kill Confirmed mode.
• Overrun is another 5v5 PvP respawn mode featuring Area Control, where teams capture and hold zones, and Signal Chase, where you capture and hold a zone until it moves.
• Rivalry, unlocked by leveling up, introduces a 5v5 PvP no-respawn experience. It includes Cargo Run, a bomb-planting mode akin to CS, and Clash Point, where you either capture a zone or eliminate all enemies.

While the variety of modes is welcome, the game’s core mechanics shine best in Rivalry mode. Here, the no-respawn rule adds a layer of tension, but your perks carry over, allowing for strategic character selection and the potential to build your ideal character over multiple rounds. This mode feels most aligned with Concord’s design philosophy.

Pros

• Character Design: One of the game’s strongest aspects is its character design. Each character is meticulously crafted, reflecting the game’s deep lore and vibrant universe. The visual style is a blend of futuristic and eclectic elements, giving each character a unique flair and personality.
• Potential for Expansion: The characters and world of Concord have enough personality and depth to justify a TV show, which has been confirmed by Secret Level. This offers a promising avenue for exploring the game’s rich narrative potential, which feels underutilized in the current gameplay experience.
• Teamwork Emphasis: The game strongly emphasizes teamwork, with each character playing a unique role on the battlefield. Supporting each other and working together is key to success in Concord.

Cons

• Price Tag: The $40 price tag feels steep for a game of this size and scope. Concord might have been better suited as a free-to-play title, given its focus on team-based, multiplayer gameplay.
• Character Switching Dependency: The gameplay heavily relies on character switching, which not all players may be willing to embrace. This can lead to uneven experiences, especially if teammates are unwilling or unable to switch characters effectively.
• Late-Game Perks: By the time you’ve unlocked the perks you need to optimize your character fully, the match is often nearing its end, which can be frustrating.
• Lack of Character Interaction: Characters don’t interact with each other during gameplay, making it difficult to connect with their personalities in real time. This is particularly disappointing given the impressive cutscenes that suggest a deeper narrative potential.
• Mismatch of Modes and Mechanics: While many modes are positive, not all of them work well with Concord’s core mechanics. The no-respawn mode, for example, seems at odds with the character-switching system, making it difficult to utilize your character’s potential in these scenarios fully.

Conclusion

After spending 20 hours with Concord across its closed, open, and early access phases, I’ve come to appreciate its strengths and acknowledge its shortcomings. The game’s character design and teamwork mechanics stand out, but the lack of a story mode and the mismatch between certain game modes and the core mechanics hold it back. The confirmed TV show by Secret Level offers a glimmer of hope for exploring these characters further and potentially filling the narrative gap left by the game.

Concord is best enjoyed with friends, where teamwork can truly shine. As a solo experience, however, the game can be hit or miss, especially if you don’t fully grasp the character-switching mechanics or struggle to get the characters needed to complete your build. Rivalry mode, in particular, stands out as the best experience for solo players.

Overall, Concord earns a 7/10. While it has potential, it falls short of fully realizing it, but with the right updates and community support, it could evolve into something more compelling.