When I first dived into the world of Synced, a free-to-play looter shooter, I had mixed expectations. I've always been a fan of this genre, but with so many titles vying for attention, it's hard to stand out. After spending some time with Synced, here's my review on this alien-infested adventure.
Pros:
Satisfying Gunplay: From the moment I picked up my first weapon in "Synced," I was pleasantly surprised by the gunplay. The shots feel impactful, and there's an undeniable thrill in taking down Nanos with precision shots at their weak points. It's a core element of the game that's pretty fun.
Controlling Nanos: One standout feature for me was the ability to control Nanos and command them to join the battle on my side. This mechanic adds a layer of depth and strategy that's incredibly satisfying and enjoyable. It's like having your own personal alien puppet, reminds me of Astral Chain on the Nintendo Switch, a rare but very nice concept.
Rogue-like Stages: The inclusion of rogue-like stages is a welcome touch. It keeps the game fresh and allows you to dive back into a stage, knowing that each run will be a bit different. The unpredictability adds to the game's replayability.
Fair Monetization: "Synced" gets a big thumbs-up for its monetization approach. Most of what's available in the cash shop are cosmetic items, and the game doesn't push you into a pay-to-win scenario. Your path to becoming more powerful lies in grinding and playing the game, which is how it should be.
Cons:
Lonely Player Hub (Haven): One aspect of "Synced" that left me a bit underwhelmed is the player hub, Haven. It feels strangely lonely, almost like a missed opportunity for a bustling multiplayer hub. You'll find yourself running around the entire map to access different shops, which can be a bit tedious. The next point explains why I think this is the case.
Limited Character Customization: Another disappointment was the lack of character customization. Seeing identical characters on the team feels out of place, especially in a game that's designed for cooperative play. It's a missed chance to make each Runner feel unique. Even games like Borderlands, which is character based and not classed based, allowed you to change the character's colors. I think in today's looter shooter standards, being able to customize your avatar is crucial. This is absolutely a deal breaker for me.
Repetitive Combat: Despite the rogue-like stages, I found that combat could still become repetitive after a few runs. The game might benefit from introducing more variety in encounters or enemy types to keep things interesting. Every stage feels about the same, either you are outdoors in a bigger map, or indoors in a smaller map. there isn't much variety to look at to be honest.
Unexciting Loot: While the core gameplay is engaging, the loot system left me wanting more excitement. Hunting for mods and upgrades lacked the thrill that's often associated with looter shooters. Everything looks the same, from common mods to rare mods. You'll see the same old icon pop up.
Conclusion:
After two days of playing Synced, I have to admit that the game feels somewhat bare bones at this stage. While the gunplay is undeniably fun and the Nanos add a unique twist, it doesn't quite reach the heights of most other looter shooters out there. I feel a little disappointed that Synced doesn't seem to have learned from the wide selection of looter shooter games out there such as Destiny, Warframe, Division and many more, and makes the same mistakes that these games have done so in the past.
I believe "Synced" is a game you can enjoy casually, and it certainly impressed me in the beginning. However, it's not going to be the next Destiny, at least not in its current state. I remain hopeful that future updates will breathe new life into this promising title. If you're looking for a looter shooter to dabble in without too much commitment, Synced might just fit the bill.
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