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The Finals’ Season 2 is a happy hackathon that laughs in the face of physicsMore outlandish gadgets make for a more exciting shooter, though the new 5v5 mode disappoints
More outlandish gadgets make for a more exciting shooter, though the new 5v5 mode disappoints
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
I’ve spent many gleeful hours inThe Finals(as has Graham), but I’ve always felt it could do more with the concept of itsFPSgameshow deathmatches essentially taking place in hyper-realistic VR. Exploding into coins upon death notwithstanding, and to be clear, rad as hell. Happily, itsSeason 2 updateis all about rewriting the rules of its glistening digital battlefields. I’ve played a few rounds and the new, hacking-themed gadgetry it introduces looks like just the thing to freshenThe Finalsup.
THE FINALS | Season 2 | TrailerWatch on YouTube
THE FINALS | Season 2 | Trailer
To the dull surprise of itsAI-voiced announcers, a hacking posse have jacked into The Finals’ mainframe (apologies to Alice0 if I’m using these words incorrectly) and taken control of the proceedings. They’re not entirely black hatted, mind, so have spliced in a shiny new map and several new, reality-warping toys to play with. The former, named SYS$HORIZON, is great: a sprawling yet fast-flowing sci-fi cityscape that looks like a debug test map buffed to a mirror sheen. “ENTER THE SIMULATION” is not a new theme for shooter settings, but this is one of the better ones I’ve played, with a similar, lightly (and intentionally) glitchy feel toTitanfall’s superb War Games map.
The deployables are all great fun as well. My favourite is the Heavy’s Anti-Gravity Cube, which creates a vertical tube that send anything – players, revive statues, cashout stations – floating upwards. The mobility applications are obvious, but it’s also a effective defensive tool, as anyone attempting to steal a cashout on a suspended station will need to let themselves ascend into the line of fire as well.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
The Light’s new Gateway grenades, which set a pair of linked portals, aren’t as versatile. Still, since anyone on the team can use them to zip around, they do add a welcome element of teamplay to the Light’s own slipperiness. Mediums also gain both offensive and defensive flexibility though the Data Reshaper gadget, which transmogrifies environmental objects and enemy defences alike. I mainly used it to turn fire canisters (unreliable, not that scary) into goo bombs that could plug up an exposed entry point, but with quick fingers (and feet) it can morph sentry guns and mines into harmless potted plants and bins. Usefulandfunny – that’s top notch support gear design.
None of this new tech dramatically changes how The Finals plays out, which at this stage – remember it onlysurprise-launched in December 2023– is fine. If anything, it’s impressive how neatly they fit into the existing theme of environmental manipulation, despite being more akin to computer magic than the relatively grounded C4 packs and RPGs that usually induce building breakages. Matches are most fun when you’re shaping the arena to your will, and Season 2 is smart to offer up more ways to make that happen.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
The new gadgets are surprisingly rich in tactical options. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
If you see this, you’ve probably already lost. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios
…In the lore, your honour.
