Combining overpowered mechs, levitating anime girls and a post-apocalyptic world, equal parts rich in terrors and treasures alike, seems like a fool-proof formula when it comes to creating the next breakout multiplayer hit.
Throw in a heavy emphasis on extraction-shooter mechanics with astrong dose of character customization, and you have the recipe for what Bandai Namco has been cooking up with SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada.
While the genre may feel done to death these days, SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada brings plenty of originality to the scene in the form of its unique presentation and PvP mechanics.
The game certainly ticks all the right boxes on a conceptual level, but how does it really fare when it comes to the execution? Well, strap into your CradleCoffin, Drifter, and prepare to sortie into the colorful, competitive, and kleptomaniacal world of SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada.
Anime Tarkov With Mechs
Set in the year 2222, following a global cataclysm known as the “Tears of the New Moon”, Synduality’s world is not necessarily a friendly nor a hospitable one.
With humanity forced to live underground due to frequent acid rains, the only way to venture to the surface is from inside the affectionately termed CradleCoffins. These giant mech suits, which are powered from inside by a human pilot (known as a Drifter), also rely heavily on the assistance of an AI personality known as a Magus.
Each Drifter has a unique Magus, and one of the first things you’ll be doing in Echo of Ada is customizing your own personal assistant.
From the outset, it is clear that this is intended as one of the key selling points of the game. While it may not be to everyone’s tastes, the more friendly and less serious tone is refreshing ina genre that is usually quite dark and ruthless.
There are still plenty of threats scouring the beautiful landscapes above-ground, including various computer-controlled enemy types such as Bandit Drifters or mutated creatures known as ‘Enders’. Being killed by these, or by fellow players, will result in you losing everything equipped and obtained during that particular run.
Running the game on an Nvidia 3070, I ran into virtually no issues in terms of visual performance and fidelity.
This can even include losing your Cradle Parts, paid items, and even your Magus if you don’t escape in time and haven’t insured them properly beforehand. While the system can be frustrating at times, and certainly needs to be adjusted to prevent the loss of paid items, it is part of the core of what makes extraction shooters so intense.
The primary goal of a Drifter in SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is to collect valuable resources, mainly AO crystals, and sell them in order to upgrade your CradleCoffin, your Magus, and your underground base.
Completing various requests and gaining XP will also unlock the story logs. Though I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the story is a mere afterthought, it’s unfortunate that it is given out in fragmented pieces andnot made easy for players to enjoy.
A Fancy Paintjob For A Hollow Shell?
Visually, the game utilizes several animation styles, and the overall presentation of each one is undeniably of a very high quality. Running the game on an Nvidia 3070, I ran into virtually no issues in terms of visual performance and fidelity.
As a PC player, however, it is also quite obvious that SYDNUALITY: Echo of Ada isprimarily designed with consoles in mind. Controls do not feel as good on a mouse and keyboard, and I would recommend that any PC users use a controller if possible.
Mech customization is decent enough, but it could certainly benefit from being more in-depth, particularly given that the graffiti and stickers on a CradleCoffin are supposed to be a big part of its Drifter’s identity.
The same can be said of the weapons in the game, which are limited, though the variety of Magus types and Magus systems do allow for a range of different play-styles.
Much of the in-game store and seasonal battle pass is devoted to cosmetic items, primarily for the Magus, but there are some items, such as Cradle Parts, Weapons, and even different Magus types, which will inevitably provide an advantage in combat.
This is not to say that SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is necessarily a ‘pay-to-win’ game. Most of the best items can still be earned in-game, though it will inevitably take a lot longer than for those who outright buy the items from the Battle Pass.
Mech movement and combat feels smooth and punchy in the right places while traversing the world gives a feeling of vulnerability.
It is worth remembering that, unlike the military-grade mechs of Titanfall or Armored Core, the CradleCoffins of the Synduality universe are built primarily by hobbyists, comparable to today’s car enthusiasts.
A Hunting Ground For Player-Killers?
What makes SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada more accessible thanmost other extraction shootersis its relative simplicity. Inventory management is not excessively tedious, and the risk of being constantly bullied by superior players is mitigated through the in-game faction system.
Players who repeatedly attack and kill other human players will receive a caution (effectively a wanted bounty which grants other players license to shoot you without repercussions), and ultimately can be expelled from the Drifter Support Association.
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The story will be told in a variety of interrelated media, with no one medium considered the primary narrative source.
Players who are expelled from the Drifter Support Association will then be put into a separate faction called The Black Market, and will play on a different, much harder, map against the other ‘player-killers’.
This system means that the PvP and PvE players can largely remain separate, which is a great buffer against persistent ‘griefers’ who target casual and newer players.
Having said that, I did experience a frustrating situation like many other players when, with my best gear equipped, I ran into a fellow player towards the end of a fairly prosperous run.
This fellow player initially waved at me, and together, we wiped out several nearby Chasers. Following this, he immediately shot me in the back and took all my stuff - including my pre-order bonus content.
While obviously frustrating, it would be possible to get these items back by doing the same thing to someone else, were I so inclined. Generally, the vast majority of players are quite cordial and neutral towards one another, andthere are several emotes that can be used to communicatebetween CradleCoffins to establish peace.
It’s just worth keeping in mind that even players who may seem friendly at first should never be entirely trusted - and you should never turn your back to them!
Focus On The Magus
One of the most important decisions you’ll make in the game is the selection of your Magus type. There are four initial Magus types available, two male and two female, with a further two types available to purchase with the in-game SYN currency.
The reason that this decision is so important is that the Magus will talk to you throughout the game, constantly. Whilethe appearance of each Magus can be altered drastically and changed at any time, the voice and personality type can not.
Choosing one of the calmer voices will definitely make your experience more pleasant, and it can also help to experiment with both Japanese and English voiceovers to find your personal preference.
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As previously mentioned, a lot of attention goes into showing flashy animations of the Magus and having them talk to you. It is even possible to steal a rival’s Magus and sell them for a great sum, or to lose your own if you do not manage to pull off an ‘Emergency Exit’ in time.
Personally, I found the Magus to be a refreshing change when compared to other mech-based shooters, and it certainly adds a lot of personality and character into an otherwise violent and preternatural world.
A Meaningful Metallic Grind
One thing that separates SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada from many of the more ‘hardcore’ extraction shooters is its clear sense of incremental progression. Objectives will be fairly easy to complete at first, and the feeling of upgrading both your gear and your base is extremely satisfying.
In addition to this, as you progress with objectives and increase your level, you will also uncover artifacts from the old world, which piece together the central narrative and explain the history of the collapsed civilization, Amasia.
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For a game that’s billed as a PvPvE extraction shooter, it is nice to see that a great deal of effort has also gone into crafting a thoughtful and in-depth story too.
While it might have been nice to be able to play the single-player elements separately, the format does provide an extra incentive to complete specific objectives on runs in order to piece together the story and fate of Amasia.
Closing Comments
SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is a refreshing take on the extraction shooter genre. Utilizing its lore-rich gameworld and anime aesthetic, the game delivers on many of the key elements which make a great PvPvE experience. Gameplay and progression are satisfying while each run carries with it the edge of a potentially fatal encounter. While the game looks good and is fun to play, there are certainly glaring flaws when it comes to the in-game microtransactions and paid items being lost or stolen. Overall, SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is a great game which I’d recommend to anyone who is a fan of extraction shooters and the anime aesthetic.
