In this review we will analyze the new Free-to-Play from NExT Studios: SYNCED
In the Free-to-Play gaming market, dominated by gacha monetization models and in-game stores, few titles emerge that sincerely try to offer an alternative. NExT Studiosa development house that we have come to know for clearly different titles (such as Crown Trick), has released a new Free-to-Play a few days ago: SYNCED.
SYNCED takes us to a devastated world called “the Meridian,” inhabited by former humans transformed by nanotechnology. Players take on the role of Runners, fortune hunters in search of a precious resource called Nerva. The game is a TPS that offers cooperative gameplay, where Runners can synchronize with Prime Nanos to transform them into Companion Nanos and take advantage of their strategic abilities. Of course there are also single-player and PVP modes. Let’s find out together whether the NExT Studios one turned out to be a good f2p or not through the complete review!
The plot | SYNCED review
The premise of the title, mentioned above, translates into an unfortunately underdeveloped plot. The characters and narrative are rather flat, with dialogue and personalities that fail to fully capture the player’s attention. This is critical, as an engaging narrative can be crucial to the player’s immersion in a game world, especially if this title aims to persist in the market for a long time.
However, it is important to note that many online and free-to-play games evolve over time through updates and additional content. So, the plot could be further developed in the future to improve the overall experience.
Technical sector | SYNCED review
SYNCED offers an intriguing and well-crafted post-apocalyptic setting. The world is rich in detail, from the remains of cities to the cyborg enemies known as “Nanos”. The design of the Nanos is unique and highly recognisable. The maps are not all the same and feature a variety of settings, each with their own aesthetic, helping to keep them visually interesting.
However, we noticed some “pop-ins”, in which objects or elements of the environment seem to suddenly appear on the screen. Furthermore, they were found sporadic drops in frame rate, which may negatively impact the gaming experience. Nothing transcendental. In general, the graphics are pleasant and clean, but nothing that screams miracle.
The sound effects during combat are really well done. The weapons make satisfying sounds, and the impact of the bullets on opponents is convincingly rendered. Sound plays an important role in making combat with the Nanos engaging and contributes to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. The music is also nice and allows you to immerse yourself even more in the apocalyptic aesthetics of the Meridian.
Gameplay | Review SYNCED
SYNCED’s gunplay is a real strong point. We experienced extremely satisfying gunplay. The weapons in the game offer immersive visual and auditory feedback, capturing the essence of the action and adrenaline you expect from a title of this genre. One of the features that fascinated us the most is the vast variety of weapons and abilities available. Each weapon has unique features that allow players to customize their playstyle. The ability to unlock special abilities added further depth to the game mechanics, allowing us to experiment with different strategies and tactics.
The mechanics of “sync” with the Nanos, the enemy creatures, it was a pleasant surprise. This feature offers players the ability to create temporary allies from enemies, introducing a fascinating strategic dimension to the gameplay. Using these creatures to our advantage added a tactical and creative component that we really appreciated. PvP matches have been our favorite pastime in SYNCED. Fighting against other players added a component of challenge and competition that kept us glued to the screen
However, not everything was perfect in our gaming experience. We noticed some limitations in character movements, which sometimes seemed a bit rigid and limited. This affected the fluidity of combat and the feeling of control, creating the occasional frustrating moment.
Another negative note was the repetitiveness of objectives in PvE missions. Too often, missions simply involve taking out hordes of Nanos, making the experience less varied and engaging. This aspect could be improved to make PvE more interesting in the long run.
The progression in the game didn’t fully convince us, especially when playing in single mode. The need to spend a lot of time to unlock new content or improve characters may not be appreciated by all players, especially those with limited time available.
Monetization
Monetization in SYNCED is geared towards customization and does not appear to significantly affect the balance of the game. The title is free, and the microtransactions focus mainly on weapon skins and costumes. These purchases add an aesthetic element without conferring competitive advantages. However, it is important to note that the game features a “Battle-Pass” system with long-term objectives, which may push some players to spend a long time to get the desired rewards. The key will be to maintain a balance to prevent microtransactions from negatively influencing the gaming experience, but we will only be able to say this in the future.
Let’s sum it up
SYNCED certainly has some strengths. The gunplay is rewarding, offering immersive visual and auditory feedback. The variety of weapons and abilities allows players to adapt to their play style, and the PvP challenges add an exciting competitive component.
However, there are aspects that require improvement. The plot is poorly developed and the characters are not engaging enough. In the technical sector, despite the fascinating setting, some problems such as “pop-in” and drops in the frame rate affect the gaming experience. The gameplay, although solid, reveals some limitations such as a certain repetitiveness in PvE missions. Progression can be grinding, especially in single player mode.
On the monetization side, SYNCED adopts a balanced approach, focused mainly on aesthetic customization and without significantly impacting the balance of the game. Microtransactions focus on weapon skins and costumes, maintaining fairness among players.
In conclusion, SYNCED offers a good foundation to build on. With further improvements to the story, technical optimization and overall gaming experience, it could become a more compelling choice in the Free-to-Play gaming landscape.
Points in favor
- Satisfying gunplay
- Beautiful setting
- Engaging PvP matches
Points against
- Underdeveloped plot and characters
- Repetitive goals
- Tedious progression
- Some technical problems