The Finals Review

Gameplay Overview

The Finals, a 3v3v3 online shooter, presents a unique gameplay experience. Drawing inspiration from the concept of a televised gameshow, the game features a vibrant color palette and engaging commentary, creating a visually appealing and entertaining atmosphere. This “American Gladiators” aesthetic avoids being overly serious or a complete joke, finding a compelling balance. Key to the game’s success is its destructible environment, offering tactical possibilities beyond typical shooter conventions.

Core Modes

• Quick Cash: Teams compete to collect coins, deposit them, and secure control of deposit points. This dynamic approach ensures a continuous flow of action, preventing tedious stalemates.
• Bank It: This mode focuses on player-to-player combat, but involves depositing loot, offering exciting decision-making. The constant need to balance securing kills and depositing acquired coins adds strategic depth.

Competitive Structure

The Finals excels in competitive scenarios. Tournament mode uses a bracket system featuring modified Cashout rounds. The tournament structure blends intense competition with satisfyingly short rounds. This format captures both high-stakes competition and fast-paced action, creating a “just one more game” experience. Ranked leagues further incentivize consistent play.

Character Classes

The game offers three distinct character classes (Light, Medium, Heavy), each with unique abilities. The Light class prioritizes mobility, the Medium is a versatile support option, and the Heavy emphasizes brute force, drawing comparison to the Juggernaut class in Rainbow Six: Siege. This variety enables diverse playstyles and strategic choices.

Equipment and Cosmetics

The game offers a wide array of equipment, with standard and more creative options. Jump pads, goo grenades, and other specialized tools enhance strategic options and player choice, adding a degree of flexibility and excitement. Cosmetics, unlockable through experience or premium currency, are plentiful but progression can be slow without spending real money.

Balance Concerns

Balance is a current concern. Heavies, with high health and damage output, are frequently dominant. Certain weapon types (flamethrower, grenade launcher, sword) also seem overrepresented in competitive play. The game’s long-term health might rely on adjustments to balance these disparities, ensuring diverse equipment choices are viable.

VRs and Multibucks

• VRs: In-game currency that unlocks abilities, weapons, and gadgets. However, the time commitment for earning sufficient VRs is arguably too high, hindering experimentation with diverse character builds.
• Multibucks: Premium currency for cosmetic enhancements. Unlockable cosmetic items are stylish but not crucial for competitive gameplay. This approach ensures that the premium options don’t affect gameplay skill.

Map Design and Destructibility

The map design of The Finals is compelling. The destructible environment significantly alters gameplay. Strategic exploitation of destructible components (crashing through ceilings, demolishing sky bridges) is a key element of the game. Unexpected and exciting moments occur during matches as buildings collapse, creating strategic opportunities to turn the tide of conflict.

Solo and Team Play

The Finals offers a smooth solo experience. The single-button ping system for communication and the focus on objectives creates a good foundation for players playing on their own. However, the solo experience sometimes suffers from inconsistent teammate fill rate, potentially leading to frustrating outcomes. Team play, however, thrives with known teammates, fostering thrilling and creative combinations of class strategies.

Overall Impression

The Finals offers a unique take on the online shooter genre. Its gameshow-style presentation, destructible maps, and diverse character classes produce engaging gameplay. The competitive framework effectively balances high-stakes tournaments with fast-paced rounds. While some balance concerns exist, the game’s core mechanics and creative aspects make it a promising title worth further consideration. Future updates addressing balance concerns, especially regarding class and equipment variety, will be key to sustaining interest in the long term.