Synduality: Echo of Ada Presents a Unique PvPvE Experience with Mechs and Multiplayer Mayhem
Synduality: Echo of Ada, an upcoming multiplayer mecha looter shooter, promises an exhilarating gaming experience. Recently, during a special preview event held at Bandai Namco Entertainment, I had the opportunity to try out this highly anticipated game. Developed as part of the wider Synduality multimedia franchise, which includes an anime, manga, and light novel series, Synduality: Echo of Ada aims to captivate players with its combination of player versus player versus environment (PvPvE) gameplay and futuristic mech combat.
One of the most intriguing features of Synduality: Echo of Ada is its fusion of both online multiplayer and a single-player story mode. While the game primarily revolves around its Online Raid mode, where players are plunged into expansive maps to search for resources, battle enemies, and interact with other pilot Drifters, it also offers a compelling single-player campaign. This ensures that players can enjoy the game regardless of their preferred style of play.
As players engage in the main gameplay loop, they will pilot powerful Cradlecoffin mechs, accompanied by AI Magus companions who provide essential intel and skills. The Magus AI constantly offers advice tailored to the player’s playstyle and weapon preferences. However, it is worth noting that the game’s preview version did not include English voiceovers, which could pose a challenge for players who rely on subtitles. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the final release will address this concern to enhance the overall gaming experience.
During my time with the game, the only objective available was to mine a specific quantity of AO crystals. While I had the freedom to extract from the field at any time, completing these objectives will likely be crucial for progression in the final version of Synduality: Echo of Ada.
The multiplayer aspect of the game adopts an interesting approach. Rather than forming preset parties or relying on verbal communication, players must develop alliances with fellow players using emotes and non-verbal forms of interaction. However, it is essential to remain vigilant as betrayal is always a possibility, with some players resorting to attacking others for their resources. To counterbalance this, the game incorporates measures such as the AI Magus partner warning players and marking hotspots on the map, as well as a reputation system that identifies aggressive players prone to PvP encounters as untrustworthy or risky.
During my initial sorties, I encountered a player-controlled Cradlecoffin that I mistook for an NPC enemy, engaging in a thrilling gunfight that I barely emerged victorious from. In another sortie, I stumbled upon a player peacefully mining resources and attempted to engage in friendly communication using the emote wheel. It was later clarified by the developers that the game’s primary focus lies in the PvPvE gameplay, emphasizing the importance of multiplayer interactions.
Synduality: Echo of Ada impresses with its solid gunplay mechanics, boasting a diverse array of weapon types that feel impactful and satisfying to wield. From assault rifles to shotguns and snipers, each weapon offers a distinct sense of power. Notably, I had the opportunity to wield a formidable railgun, which delivered a particularly intense and enjoyable experience. The game’s weapon and loot system shares similarities with popular titles like Apex Legends and Borderlands, contributing to its appeal.
Controlling the Cradlecoffin mechs, on the other hand, offers a weightier and deliberately slower experience. Unlike other mech games that emphasize swift maneuvers between ground and air combat, Synduality: Echo of Ada adopts a more grounded approach, with the mechs resembling heavily armored tanks. Although they possess the ability to jump and boost for temporary speed increases, players will need to adapt to their deliberate movements and adjust their strategies accordingly.
As for the PvE aspect, Synduality: Echo of Ada introduces formidable enemies known as Enders. These adversaries tend to gather near AO Crystals and roam the game’s maps. Facing them alone can prove overwhelming, especially under certain adverse conditions such as heavy rain, which damages the mechs. While the PvE enemies didn’t leave an exceptional impression during the preview, the potential for dynamic encounters with both Enders and other pilots holds promise for thrilling and tense gameplay scenarios.
In terms of the game’s story mode, titled Amasia Research, Synduality: Echo of Ada immerses players in a PvE-focused narrative. As players progress through maps, they undertake missions with specific preset loadouts, venturing into the underground city of Amasia. This story mode aims to unravel the mystery surrounding Drifter Alba Kuze and his Magus companion, Ada. Interestingly, the developers emphasize that the story mode and Online Raid are not entirely separate entities, presenting an integrated experience that expands upon the game’s online gameplay.
While Synduality: Echo of Ada lays a solid foundation and offers an enjoyable gaming experience, its release comes with inherent risks as it enters a market saturated with competing multiplayer shooters. However, the game’s indefinite delay may provide the developers with an opportunity to polish and expand upon what already appears to be an ambitious and promising project. Ultimately, the success of multiplayer games of this nature hinges on several factors, including the availability of diverse content upon release and effective marketing strategies to reach a broad audience beyond Japan.
