Bandai Namco held a Closed Network Test for SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada, the upcoming extraction shooter that’s part of the bigger SYNDUALITY media franchise. While this isn’t the first CNT for the game, this latest one is the most comprehensive as the developers took note of feedback from the previous test and added various enhancements.
I can’t say for certain how things have improved as I didn’t play the previous test. In fact, this CNT was the first time that I got to try SYNDUALITY. Admittedly, I’m not exactly part of the target audience for this given that I don’t really play extraction shooters (nor any multiplayer shooter for that matter). Still, I tried the game out given that its premise and gameplay seem interesting based on trailers and gameplay footage.
Even though I don’t often play extraction shooters, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my time with the Echo of Ada CNT. Sure, there are some points of improvement, but this is quite a promising game.
Here’s What You Need to Extract
Thankfully, the game did not just throw me into the game without any preparation. That’s because the CNT build featured a short but helpful tutorial that explains the game’s premise and systems quite well.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is set in the same universe as the SYNDUALITY: Noir anime, though it is set some years before the TV series. Even if you haven’t watched the anime, you should still get a good idea of what the story is about based on the tutorial’s cutscenes.
The game takes place in the year 2222, and its setting is a world ravaged by the poisonous rain called The Tears of the New Moon. This gave rise to powerful creatures that hunt humans, and in response, humanity went underground.
Players take on the role of Drifters. These are pilots who control mechs called CRADLECOFFINS, and their job is to go to the surface and collect AO Crystals which are used as a power source for humans living underground. Accompanying each player is a Magus, an AI that notifies players of what’s going on in the map and helps out in combat or extraction thanks to some unique skills.
While on the lookout for resources, players must contend with hostile creatures, other players, and even the poisonous rain which can cause damage to mechs. In a way, this is reminiscent of Death Stranding’s premise, though instead of deliveries, your job is to extract resources.
That’s where the extraction shooter gameplay comes in. The game’s core loop is that players venture out into the game’s overworld where they must get as many AO Crystals as they can while taking down hostile creatures and staying away from poisonous rain. Of course, other players can also be dangerous. While players can work together or simply greet each other and go on their way, other players can go on the offensive and take others down to grab their loot.
After a successful run, players can exchange their AO Crystals for currency to improve their mechs’ weapons and parts, as well as enhance their home base. At the base, players can also take in requests and craft all sorts of items.
While I was only able to play the game for a couple of hours, I did get enough time to get a feel of how the gameplay flowed together. Even though I don’t usually play games in this genre, I did have fun with Echo of Ada. During my playthrough, I treated it mostly as a PvE experience, and as such, I mainly focused on getting more AO Crystals.
Of course, I still felt tension in my runs which made the game interesting. A big part of this is one of my earlier runs where I was extracting a big AO Crystal, and while doing so, I got ambushed by another player. Because of this, I was always wary about potential ambushes from other Drifters which added some excitement.
That’s not to say all players are out to get your loot though. In another run, I came across other players who are quite friendly. While I was wary at first, the Magus did comment about players I encountered, stating that these are “friendlies” and are in good standing with the association, indicating the game’s reputation system.
Aside from other players, the fact that mechs only have a limited battery life meant that each run can get tense if you’re still a long way out from an elevator and only have a few minutes remaining. This is what happened in another run where I got stuck waiting out a rain spell. With only a few minutes of battery to spare, I made a beeline for the nearest elevator even if it meant braving the rain.
Based on the CNT, the game’s systems and mechanics don’t exactly reinvent the extraction shooter wheel, but two key aspects of the game make it unique: the mechs and the anime girls.
Mechas and Cute Anime Girls (or Guys)
The CRADLECOFFINS aren’t exactly the sleekest mechs out there (this isn’t Armored Core or Gundam), but they still have their own appeal. Their design is reminiscent of mechs from Sakura Wars given their wide and rather stubby appearance. Sure, they’re not the “coolest” mechs, but they still look quite good and should appeal to genre fans.
It also helps that there are plenty of customization options that allow players to tailor-fit their mech to their playstyle. For those who want to tweak the look of the mechs, customization also allows for this.
As for how they move, the CRADLECOFFINS can feel a bit heavy, but this seems to be by design. During my time with the game, I found the mechs to be quite responsive even though they’re not the fastest or most mobile. This adds a layer of challenge to traversing the world and facing off against hostile creatures or players.
The shooting mechanics also feel nice, though I found that there’s still plenty of room for optimization as performance during the CNT wasn’t the best. There was also some noticeable lag during my runs, so hopefully these can get addressed.
Along with mechs, the game’s AI Magus is also a highlight. After the tutorial, players are assigned their Magus. After picking a main type, players are transferred to a character customization menu with extensive options to make for a unique Magus that fits your preference.
The Magus isn’t just a robotic AI character though. In my CNT experience, I found the Magus I chose to have some personality. What’s also nice is that the Magus also has unique skills. For instance, mine can set up a healing field which is helpful in a pinch.
While I liked the Magus in terms of gameplay and dialogue, I can imagine that the extensive customization options for these AI companions will appeal to many players. After all, the Magus can essentially be turned into the waifu or husband of your dreams.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada CNT Initial Verdict
I only played for a couple of hours, but I did enjoy my time with Echo of Ada. Of course, for those who already play games in the genre, SYNDUALITY might not offer many new things. Despite this, the game has potential as it feels good to play and its core gameplay loop is engaging.
There are some technical things to iron out, but if it does, this game might be a good introduction to the genre, and I can see it appealing strongly to anime fans.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, though there’s no word yet on a specific release date.