Synduality: Echo of Ada throws players into a dystopian future where survival depends on skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. Set in the year 2222, humanity has retreated to the underground city of Amasia after a catastrophic event known as the Tears of the New Moon, which brought destruction to much of the world. Above ground on the hostile surface, monstrous creatures called Enders roam, and Drifters—players like you—are tasked with collecting the precious AO Crystals, humanity’s energy source and stolen by the Enders, to keep humanity alive.
A Post-Apocalyptic World: Vibrant Yet Deadly
The world of Synduality is vibrant yet desolate, with the stark contrast between the lush landscapes above ground and the safety and gritty interiors of the underground haven. The Cradle Coffins, highly customisable mechas that players pilot, are key to surviving the surface. The ability to tailor your Cradle’s equipment and appearance adds a layer of personalisation to the gameplay. With its third-person shooter mechanics, Synduality introduces a fast-paced, intuitive combat system that feels reminiscent of games like Kojima’s Zone of the Enders, Titanfall 2, or even the anime Evangelion in some ways. In other words, exploring this post-apocalyptic, diverse world feels like a joy from the comfort of your armoured Cradle.
The environment is surprisingly diverse for a post-apocalyptic setting. The Cradle’s ability to traverse various terrains—from rocky outcrops to surreal-looking grounds—offers a sense of exploration and freedom. But the game isn’t all free-roaming; balancing resources is key, as you’re constantly balancing time and weight constraints. The survival aspect of the game is felt through the Cradle’s limitations—whether it’s your limited ammo, or limited battery life, which forces you to plan your expeditions and raids carefully. The weight limit on materials ensures that you won’t be able to carry everything back, forcing you to balance preparation versus outcome of the mission, making all your decisions mindful.
The unpredictability of enemy encounters, thanks to rogue-like spawning and randomised starting points for each sortie, further enhances the experience, preventing the game from feeling repetitive and keeping players on their toes.
Smooth Introduction and Tutorial Experience
One of the most notable aspects of Synduality is how smoothly and gradually it introduces players to its mechanics. It never feels overbearing, making sure players are comfortable and equipped for the journey ahead. The witty animations add a fun, nostalgic touch, evoking the artistic style of Fallout, offering a pleasant surprise and familiarity for fans of that franchise.
Fast, Fluid Combat and Scavenging for Resources
One of Synduality’s strengths is its combat, which is fast, fluid, and responsive. You can purchase an array of weapons, including sniper rifles, shotguns, assault rifles, machine guns, and pre-equip them for your raids (Sorties). The combat can cater to different playstyles, whether you prefer long-range attacks, fast automatic weapons or slower powerful ones that pack a good punch, not forgetting the basic but strong melee attack for tight situations. You also have access to consumables like grenades, mines or incendiary grenades, which are handy when you need a tactical edge, but will cost money and weigh down on your Cradle when you carry them.
Resource gathering is a core part of the game, with AO Crystals being the most valuable resource. But it doesn’t stop there—materials like iron, wood, and plastic also play a role in remodelling your underground quarters. These resources allow you to upgrade floors, walls, and other aspects of your base, adding a layer of cosmetic rewards as you progress through the game.
Magus: More Than an AI Companion
Your AI companion, known as the Magus, is far from a passive sidekick. Magus can help to navigate the map, suggest locations based on previously acquired information, and even assist you during battles, charging up powerful attacks—known as Magus Skill—that can turn the tide in your favour when things get rough. The customisation options extend to Magus, which in the beginning via a character creator allows you to personalise their appearance, from haircuts to outfits and facial features. Throughout the game, you can keep personalising their outfit and purchase additional ones for cosmetic purposes.
Additionally, the Magus narrates the summary of your post-mission analysis, with all the learnings obtained and calling out strategic, noteworthy points on the map.
PvPvE Dynamics: Friend or Foe?
Synduality introduces a PvPvE setting, blending elements of player-vs-environment and player-vs-player encounters. While on a mission above ground, you’ll occasionally run into other players, who could either team up with you or become foes in a fight for survival. This dynamic creates a tension-filled atmosphere where you’re never quite sure if the next encounter will be friendly or deadly.
The game also offers a bounty system if a player decides to turn into an “evil drifter”, adding an extra layer of excitement to player interactions. Hunting down other Drifters for rewards not only makes raids more unpredictable but adds an exciting risk-and-reward element to the gameplay.
Technical Performance: Flawless on PS5
From a technical perspective, Synduality delivers an impressively smooth performance on the PS5. The polished graphics and stable frame rate ensure an uninterrupted gaming experience, with no noticeable glitches or slowdowns during gameplay.
Final Verdict: A Promising Title with Depth and Potential
Synduality: Echo of Ada delivers a fun, fast-paced experience with a compelling mix of customisation options, smooth onboarding, and dynamic PvPvE gameplay, making it a promising title for fans of third-person shooters and mecha-themed games. The smooth technical performance, paired with an engaging world and intuitive controls, makes it an enjoyable experience overall. The Cradle Coffins, coupled with engaging combat mechanics and the thrill of resource gathering, create an addictive loop that keeps players coming back for more. While some gameplay mechanics—like limited battery life and cargo weight—can feel restrictive at times, they contribute to the game’s survival feel, adding tension to each mission.
However, the lack of variety in melee combat, combined with potentially limited long-term motivation for resource gathering, may dampen the enthusiasm of some players. Additionally, those seeking a more immersive narrative might feel the game falls short in that department.
The game’s striking world design, intuitive controls, and innovative blend of PvPvE dynamics make it a promising title with room to grow. As Synduality continues to evolve, we’re eager to see how it expands on its already strong foundation.
Review written by Jo Costa.
