Released on August 23, 2024, Concord was supposed to be the next big thing in team based shooters, but it has quickly become one of the most disappointing releases of the year. Developed by Firewalk Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game promised an exciting blend of sci-fi adventure and strategic game play.
However, the reality has fallen far short of expectations, leaving many players frustrated and unimpressed.
Slow and Frustrating Gameplay
At its core, Concord is a hero shooter where players assemble a team of characters, each with unique abilities, to compete in 5v5 battles. However, one of the biggest issues with the game is its painfully slow pace.
Fans have compared the game play to moving on a treadmill, with everything happening in what feels like slow motion. This sluggishness makes matches feel drawn out and frustrating, rather than the fast paced action many players were hoping for.
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A player summed up their experience by saying:
Playing Concord feels like you’re stuck in a Zack Snyder film—everything is in slow motion. It’s not unplayable, but it’s incredibly generic and slow, making it hard to enjoy.
A Generic and Forgettable Experience
Another major problem with Concord is its lack of originality. The game tries to mix elements from other popular hero shooters but ends up feeling like a watered down version of them all. There’s nothing in Concord that stands out or makes it memorable.
For many players, it’s just another shooter in an already crowded market, with no unique features to keep them coming back.
One of the biggest criticisms is that Concord was released as a paid game, with a $39.99 price tag, rather than being free-to-play like many of its competitors. This decision has baffled players, especially since there are plenty of better, free alternatives available.
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As one fan pointed out:
I don’t get why anyone would pay $40 for this when there are better free options available. Concord doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and it’s hard to see why it was released at all.
Poor Reception and Low Player Count
The poor reception has been reflected in the game’s player numbers. On launch day, Concord barely reached 650 players on Steam, a shockingly low figure for a big budget title. To put this into perspective, even some of the biggest gaming flops, like Redfall and Babylon’s Fall, had more players at launch.
This low turnout has led many to question how Concord even got green lit in the first place. The market for hero shooters is already over-saturated, and Concord offered nothing new to entice players. It feels like a desperate attempt to recoup some of the development costs, but even that seems like a long shot given the game’s poor reception.
Controversial Content and Unwelcome Messaging
Beyond its game play flaws, Concord has also faced backlash for its narrative and underlying messages. Some players have accused the game of pushing certain ideological beliefs in a heavy handed way, making the story feel more like a lecture than entertainment.
This approach has left a bad taste in the mouths of many, especially those looking for a fun and engaging experience rather than a platform for divisive ideas.
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One player voiced their concerns:
The game seems more focused on promoting certain beliefs rather than providing a quality gaming experience. It’s disappointing and concerning, especially when young players are involved.
Concord was a game with potential, but it has quickly become one of the year’s biggest disappointments. Between its slow, frustrating game play, lack of originality, low player count, and controversial content, there’s little to recommend. For those looking for a new team based shooter, there are far better options out there most of which are free.
In the end, Concord is a reminder that not every big-budget game is destined for success. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of developers, a game just doesn’t hit the mark. Concord is one of those cases a title that will likely be forgotten sooner rather than later.
