At this moment, it’s hard to avoid viewing Concord as though it’s already met its end. The ambitious first-person hero shooter, developed by Sony’s Firewalk Studios, took eight years and an estimated $100 million to create. It launched on PlayStation 5 and PC on August 23. However, just two weeks later, the game is set to be taken offline permanently. Originally envisioned as a live-service title with an extensive roadmap for future content, Concord fell flat upon release, managing to sell approximately 25,000 copies across both platforms and achieving a peak player count of less than 700 on Steam. Following this lackluster performance, Sony has opted to discontinue the game and refund existing customers, with Firewalk announcing a complete shutdown by September 6.
In its formal communication, Firewalk stated it would “explore options, including those that will better reach our players,” hinting that Concord could potentially return in a free-to-play model in the future. Currently, it stands as one of the most notable failures in gaming history. While no one anticipated such a swift decline, the signs of trouble were evident from the outset.
Was Concord truly a game unworthy of its brief existence, reminiscent of a forgotten theatrical release? As of a day before its shutdown, only 33 players remained active on Steam. This begs the question: is the game really that bad? While it may not shine as brightly as its contemporaries, it certainly functions as a competent hero shooter comparable to Overwatch. However, the responsibility for its failure lies not with the development team but rather with those who dictated its launch strategy and oversaw its long and costly development. Ignoring the market’s saturation with established free-to-play titles, they pushed a $40 live-service shooter into an unforgiving landscape.
Sony is Taking Concord Offline, Issuing Refunds After Poor Sales
There’s a certain mediocrity to Concord that seems to be at the core of its troubles. While it draws clear influences from games like Overwatch, it feels dated, arriving long after the genre’s heyday. The absence of a campaign mode or compelling narrative makes it simply a PvP shooter with a colorful cast of characters. The efforts to create engaging writing and banter fall flat, leaning on tired archetypes in a genre filled with them.
The character designs lack originality, resembling a blend of established franchises and feeling like AI-generated concepts. For instance, Lennox mirrors Yondu from Guardians of the Galaxy in appearance and personality but with nuances that fail to differentiate him. Similar patterns recur across other characters, contributing to an uninspired roster that does little to excite players.
Do these characters remind you of anyone from Guardians of the Galaxy?
Photo Credit: Firewalk Studios/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
While the characters’ lack of depth is less critical in a PvP-focused game, they ultimately fail to be distinctive even within their own roster. Notably, three of the sixteen characters wear similar NASA-style spacesuits, differing only slightly in visual details. It’s clear that Firewalk could have pushed for more unique and creative designs to help the game stand out in a crowded market.
Nevertheless, Concord does offer some narrative attempts akin to games like Overwatch. The sporadic cinematics and a Galactic Guide provide context for its PvP missions, framing the journey across the galaxy. However, the disconnect between this narrative and actual gameplay undermines its potential, as players engage primarily in combat without a strong incentive tied to the story.
The Galactic Guide offers context but feels disconnected from actual gameplay
Photo Credit: Firewalk Studios/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Despite its shortcomings, Concord has strengths where it counts: the gameplay. The PvP matches are dynamic and require strategic teamwork, demonstrating a solid foundation. Each hero brings a unique set of abilities and weapons, contributing to varied playstyles within the game. While the core mechanics are engaging, some abilities come off as underwhelming, lacking the impact that players expect from a hero shooter.
The 5v5 PvP matches offer standard modes like team deathmatch, cargo escort, and area control, categorized into three distinct playlists. While the gunplay remains responsive and fun, the lack of ultimate abilities diminishes the thrill of combat, leaving some encounters feeling lacking in punch. Unfortunately, finding matches became increasingly difficult as player numbers dwindled, with only a handful remaining active as Concord approached its end.
Graphically, the game presents itself well, merging bright, cartoonish aesthetics with realistic design, reminiscent of titles like Starfield. Each map is visually appealing, boasting unique elements, yet they ultimately blend into a familiar backdrop that fails to surprise players.
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Concord attempts to incorporate unique visual designs across its maps
Photo Credit: Firewalk Studios/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Ultimately, Concord’s failure isn’t due to a lack of effort on the part of its developers. While its gameplay is enjoyable and the visuals appealing, the $40 price tag feels unjustified given its competition. Even beyond that, it didn’t necessitate such a quick shutdown. It was not a disastrous game; its launch strategy, however, was profoundly flawed. The dismal numbers during its open beta were telling, with only around 2,000 players on Steam compared to over 90,000 for Valve’s own hero shooter. Pushing Concord out for sale was a poor choice from the start.
As Sony navigates the unpredictable nature of live-service games, it is clear that simply releasing a new title does not guarantee success in an oversaturated market. Helldivers 2 exemplifies how collaborative gameplay can capture audience interest, a stark contrast to Concord’s insipid offerings. The latter’s pricing and execution have drawn parallels to successful free-to-play models and left many wondering if a redesign could offer a second chance.
Pros
- Fun, engaging PvP gameplay
- Distinct hero abilities
- Visual presentation
Cons
- $40 price tag
- Uninspired character designs
- Lack of ultimate ability
- Detached narrative
- Too similar to other games in the genre
Rating (out of 10): 6
Concord released on PS5 and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store) at a price of Rs. 2,499. The game was taken offline from all storefronts on September 6 and is no longer available for purchase.
