Summary
While Concord has a long way to go before it can be considered a competitor to the likes of Overwatch or Valorant, it shouldn't be written off entirely. With continued post-launch support, balancing updates, and a commitment to addressing player feedback, Concord could potentially grow into a respectable entry in the team-based FPS genre. However, as it stands now, it remains an unfinished product with more promise than delivery. There’s still time for Concord to rise to the challenge and prove itself, but it needs serious improvements to match the lofty ambitions and expectations set forth by its creators.
Developer – Firewalk Studios
Publisher – Playstation Publishing LLC.
Platforms – PS5, PC (Reviewed on Both Platforms with PC being Main for Accessibility)
Review copy given by Publisher
If you’re a fan of games like Overwatch or eagerly awaiting Valve’s upcoming Deadlock, currently in closed beta, you’ll likely find Concord lacking in comparison. Despite the hefty development cycle, spanning nearly eight years, Concord falls short of delivering the same level of polish or immersive gameplay its competitors offer. At its current state, Concord feels overpriced, especially considering its unfinished state and the stark difference in value you get from its genre peers.
Concord positions itself as an atmospheric, sci-fi team-based FPS, designed to pull players into the far reaches of space with its immersive universe. Tactical team play is at the core of the experience, much like Valorant, Overwatch, and Deadlock, where players choose from a roster of unique characters, each equipped with their own specialized abilities meant to add layers of strategic combat. However, for many, this is precisely where Concord begins to unravel.
The game has been widely criticized for the lackluster execution of its characters and design elements. The models feel generic and uninspired, an issue that becomes all the more glaring given the game’s nearly $200 million budget. With such a massive investment, one would expect a level of craftsmanship that rivals the genre’s best, yet Concord fails to impress. The character designs appear rushed and uninspired, leading players to question how such a large budget could result in such mediocre quality. For a game meant to be Sony’s flagship competitive shooter, these issues feel even more egregious, leading to a significant amount of backlash from the community.
Another major point of contention is the game’s dwindling player base. Despite the high expectations and financial backing, Concord struggles to attract a significant audience, with only 114 concurrent players on Steam at the time of writing. For a game designed around tactical team play, this low player count makes it difficult to find matches, much less coordinated teams, which further undermines the experience. This worrying statistic points to deeper issues with the game’s reception and leaves many questioning whether Concord can carve out a space in an already competitive market.
The criticisms don’t end there—many players have voiced their frustrations with the game’s unfinished feel. Given the development time and money poured into it, there was an expectation that Concord would deliver something groundbreaking. Instead, it has been met with disappointment, as players see it as a project that feels incomplete, almost as though it was rushed to market without proper refinement. This leads to the sense that Concord may have been released prematurely, leaving much of its potential untapped and unfulfilled.
Yet, despite its flaws, Concord does have redeeming qualities. If you’re able to look past its uninspired visuals and the low player count, there’s an underlying foundation that shows potential. The core mechanics are solid, and when played with a well-coordinated team, the game can deliver satisfying tactical moments. It’s not that Concord is entirely devoid of merit—it simply doesn’t do enough to stand out. It feels like a “safe” entry into the genre, not particularly better or worse than other tactical shooters, but certainly not revolutionary either.
While Concord has a long way to go before it can be considered a competitor to the likes of Overwatch or Valorant, it shouldn’t be written off entirely. With continued post-launch support, balancing updates, and a commitment to addressing player feedback, Concord could potentially grow into a respectable entry in the team-based FPS genre. However, as it stands now, it remains an unfinished product with more promise than delivery. There’s still time for Concord to rise to the challenge and prove itself, but it needs serious improvements to match the lofty ambitions and expectations set forth by its creators.
