Welcome to SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada, where a once-thriving civilisation was brought to its knees in the world of Amasia. Developed by Game Studio Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, this upcoming PvPvE extraction shooter is set in the far-distant future of 2222.  An extinction-level event known as the Tears Of The New Moon has wiped out the majority of humanity, leaving the survivors to face a new threat. Known as Enders, they roam the land looking for their next prey.

In SYDNUALITY Echo of Ada, you take on the role of a Drifter, and your mission is to explore distant lands and complete tasks given to you by the Organisation. During these travels, you’ll also discover various types of loot, including the collection of rare and essential resources known as AO Crystals – a crucial power source for the people of the Underground.

When exploring above-ground, you can find many valuable items that can help to upgrade your hideout or put towards new mech parts. In turn, this can bolster the time you have to explore, with upgrades to the number of items you can store or increasing the amount of toxic rain your mech can endure before you start taking armour damage.

Your AI pilot, code-named Magus, is particularly beneficial while out on the field as it can alert you to any nearby threats and items that it has picked up on its sonar. You can also customise it slightly, using cosmetic clothing to add a personal touch to your character.

Depending on the class of mech you use, you’ll gain access to a variety of special attacks. Code-named CRADLECOFFIN, classes specialise in anything from defence or exploring, to being more aggressive against other mechs you might encounter, making it vital to pick a class that suits you and your play style.

Combat has many faces, and you’ll explore an open world with many other players. Some will be friendly, teaming up with you to get the job done, and others, well, there will always be people who want to see the world burn, so scanning them from a distance is essential. It will give you a visual indicator of whether or not they have killed another player before. On top of wondering if your new friend is going to stab you in the back, every player will be up against the hostile Enders.

These can be anything from packs of Chasers to the flying Gazers, as well as a type of Ender that will chase you down and explode when it gets close enough. To top it all off, there are also AI-controlled Bandit Coffins. Roaming the wilderness in groups, their only goal is to gun you down in cold blood, so having a strategy, and some backup, is vital.

The world’s visuals are breathtaking, and there is a variety of different biomes to explore, each with its own dangers. Each biome has a unique design, making it completely different from the last, and as the level of difficulty increases, so too does the quality of loot, but it doesn’t just stop there. The overall atmosphere changes as you explore each type, with some completely changing the way sunlight enters the area.

Of course, exploring these environments is only part of the fun, and you’re doing so in a mech suit bristling with weapons. These, alongside Bandits and Enders, are filled with detail, and during a battle, blasting away at enemies with ranged weapons, or slapping them with melee attacks, is very satisfying.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada has recently made huge improvements, including the addition of English dialogue. It helps the game flow nicely. Interacting with other players is made easier with the use of in-game emotes, helping you to demonstrate your friendliness. Sounds of gunfire in the distance, or the roaring engine of another player’s mechs as they move around give off a great vibe, and it really helps put your position into perspective. When you’re not out fighting, drilling into the AO Crystals, and harvesting other profitable resources, offer a variety of great sound effects.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is a fantastic game for those interested in an open-world extraction survival game. This title brings many cards to the game, featuring PVP and PVE in the same locations.

With base expansion and exploring at its heart, it’s not hard to see why these games are so fun and exciting. It makes for the perfect game. I’m excited to see what new features they bring in next as they continue to improve the game. I’ll see you on the field!

Written by: TypicalCambieAU