Firewalk Studios’ latest venture, Concord, made a less-than-stellar debut during May’s PlayStation State of Play. The nearly five-minute cinematic trailer, featuring wisecracking aliens and a character named Star Child, drew criticism for its resemblance to Guardians of the Galaxy. Flooded with dislikes, it was dubbed the biggest disappointment of the May showcase.

This weekend, the beta opened to PS Plus members, pre-order customers, and those with beta codes, sparking mixed reactions similar to its trailer. Players took to Reddit, sharing opinions that ranged from high praise to sharp critique.

Impressive Visuals Yet Struggles With Balance

Some players found unexpected gems in Concord, lauding its character design, sound design, and tactical gameplay. The art direction stood out, with players describing it as “tight” and undeniably gorgeous. Concord’s maps, animations, and cutscenes also received commendation, though some found the latter a bit lengthy. Concord’s story cutscenes, though a bit cheesy, are well-presented. The UI is generally well-designed, though the match scoreboard could be more intuitive. The ’70s-inspired aesthetic, with its flat reds and oranges and wailing synths, is stylish without being overdone.

The gunplay emerged as a highlight, with players calling it “smooth,” “satisfying,” and “phenomenal,” drawing favourable comparisons to Overwatch. Despite being a different genre, many players noted a Bungie feel, reminiscent of Destiny and Halo. After diving into Concord, it definitely evokes memories of Halo Infinite, which isn’t surprising given the devs’ Bungie roots.

You can tell that Firewalk aims to balance “aim vs brains,” allowing success through either shooting skills or tactics and team play. While it’s too early to judge their success, the game’s 16 characters offer diverse abilities, making for an intriguing experience.

The first of two planned beta tests for Sony’s competitive hero shooter is currently available for PS5 and PC players who pre-ordered the game or are PlayStation Plus subscribers. The next beta, running from 18-21 July, will be open to everyone. Players need a PSN account to participate, but Concord runs smoothly even on lower-end setups like my Lenovo Legion 5i with an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU.

A Rollercoaster Of Reactions

Despite some high praise, many players were not impressed with Concord. Core complaints included “glaring balance issues,” with some characters feeling significantly stronger than others. Lennox and Roka were prime examples, with Roka requiring practically zero aiming skills. The game’s movement was another contentious point, described as rough and slow, though others found it manageable. Coming from faster-paced shooters like Call of Duty and Overwatch, I found it a bit sluggish but over time adjusted, emphasising the resemblance to Halo Infinite.

One mechanic that drew ire was the reload system, requiring players to take cover and wait for the animation to start. While an attempt to stand out, it felt cumbersome. The main playlist, “Brawl,” featured Takedown (Team Deathmatch) and Trophy Hunt (Kill Confirmed). At level 6, players unlocked the Rivalry playlist, a non-respawn mode with Clash Point (akin to Call of Duty’s Control) and Cargo Run (similar to Search and Destroy).

This lack of a “definitive game mode” will leave players confused about Concord’s focus, compounded by its decision not to launch as a free-to-play title. With a US$40 price point, many questioned its appeal against free alternatives like XDefiant.

Despite its rocky start and mixed reception, Concord has undeniable potential. Firewalk Studios’ bold artistic direction and ambitious blend of tactical and shooter elements showcase their commitment to innovation. However, balancing character abilities, refining movement mechanics, and clarifying the game’s core focus are crucial steps needed to win over a sceptical player base. As the beta progresses and more players dive into Concord’s universe, it will be interesting to see if Firewalk can fine-tune their creation into a standout hit or if it will remain a contentious addition to the competitive hero shooter landscape. For now, Concord stands at a crossroads, teetering between being a diamond in the rough and a missed opportunity.