Concord: PS5 Review

Published by Firewalk Studios
Developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment

Platform: PS5

Concord's beta shows a game that mixes Overwatch with Guardians of the Galaxy against a series of colourful maps. In many ways, it doesn't deviate from its initial trailer ethos - except with the addition of some truly gorgeous cutscenes.

Yet, while gameplay is fast and matchmaking effective, it has yet to really show a point of difference to the plethora of free to play shooters that already exist, even if it's aiming for a lower price point.

Chiefly while gunplay among the Freerunners characters is different depending on each player, the game still suffers from a degree of balance issues. Those with fast shooting guns are more likely to rack up kills compared to heavier artillery. 

Certainly, if those classes are pitted against each other, unless there is an assist going on, the outcome is somewhat inevitable, meaning gameplay can become frustrating.

Also, the game seems to be confused when it comes to storyline and motivation.

Brawl, one of the options of the beta, sees teams of five versus five with a motive of stealing trading cards from each other. It's an odd match idea and while it doesn't detract from the gameplay, it does seem wildly obtuse over motivations - it's not a fatal flaw, but a lack of an overarching picture as to why trading cards other than it's the Freegunners' way as the voiceover says, feels unusual at best.

Thankfully games are only 10 minutes long or whoever gets to 30 kills first up. They're pacy, frenetic and thanks to different map design, entertaining enough. And certainly when you're on a killing streak, they're quite addictive.

A second gameplay mode that sees you taking cargo and exporting it again brings the pace, and offers as much of a thrill too - though while it's a series of games within an overall match, it's a shorter period in total.

Concord's characters are colourful enough to differentiate themselves and there are enough choices in the rosters. But there's a lack of in-game powerups to help you beat the odds (potentially not a bad thing) meaning the characters themselves are the reason to engage.

Perhaps worryingly, if Concord wants to stand out (aside from its lower price point) it does need to have more than decently realised cutscenes and characters. Its gunplay and pace are just enough, but it does need to show more depth when it finally releases. But for now, the BETA is a solid window into its world - and time will tell what the full game has to offer.

Concord's BETA is live now on PlayStation 5 and PC - check details online for more information.