Developer: Game Studio
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Release date: January 23, 2025
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (reviewed on the Series S)
Mech games can be a varied lot, and SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is a new addition to the genre, albeit an uneven one. The PvPvE extraction shooter has a great set up, taking place in 2222 after an event called The Tears of the New Moon, a poisonous deluge the made the surface uninhabitable and filled with mutated creatures called Enders. Pilots known as Drifters take their mechs, called CRADLECOFFINS, out to explore the surface and gather resources. Accompanying the Drifters are AI called Magus. While the game is online, most encounters with other players are peaceful, outside of those who act as Bandits. There are single player missions that do open up and explore the game’s story a bit.

PROS
Plenty of customization for the mechs and the Magus
Interesting set up
Diverse enemies
Nicely detailed environments
Can modify base
CONS
Can be very repetitive
Gameplay can get frustrating
Some technical issues (pop in, screen stutter, etc.)

In all, SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is a decent mech game, and will give some players the feeling of just one more run when a mission fails. Other players may get weary of the game’s repetitive nature, and the fact you lose everything on a failed run can get frustrating, especially since you need items to sell to make money to outfit your mech for the next sortie. The game does have an interesting premise, with some unique creature designs. The are some technical issues, auch as pop in and screen stutter, and buttons don’t always work consistently, especially a multibutton press to bail out before your mech explodes. For those who really love mech games it’s worth a look, though some may want to wait for a sale.
7/10 stars
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