XDefiant
Ubisoft Connect Description:
Ubisoft’s worlds collide in a free-to-play, first-person arena shooter where you compete to be the best in fast-paced online matches!
Summary:
🎮 Introduction to XDefiant: The podcast begins with the hosts introducing XDefiant, a free-to-play first-person shooter by Ubisoft. The game combines elements from various Ubisoft franchises and is known for its fast-paced gameplay and unique class-based mechanics. The hosts, Paul, Josh, and Ryan, discuss their experiences with the game, focusing on its accessibility and appeal to both casual and competitive players.
🔥 Gameplay Mechanics: XDefiant is described as a blend of "Call of Duty" and "Overwatch," with fast-paced gunplay combined with character abilities. The game features 6v6 matches, various game modes, and 14 maps. The hosts note that while the game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic arena shooters, it also incorporates modern elements like character classes and abilities, which add strategic depth.
🛡️ Class and Faction Breakdown: The game offers five factions, each inspired by different Ubisoft games:
Phantoms (Ghost Recon): Focus on high-tech gadgets and shields.
Echelon (Splinter Cell): Specialize in stealth and intelligence.
Cleaners (The Division): Use fire-based attacks.
Libertad (Far Cry): Focus on healing and team support.
DeadSec (Watch Dogs): Utilize hacking abilities to disrupt enemies.
The hosts discuss their preferred factions, noting that the Phantoms and Echelon factions are popular choices due to their useful abilities. The Phantoms’ shield and Echelon’s stealth are particularly favored for their versatility in combat.
💥 Unique Abilities and Strategy: Each faction has unique abilities, ultimates, and passives that significantly impact gameplay. For example, Phantoms can deploy a shield to protect the team, while Echelon can use sonar goggles to reveal enemies. The hosts emphasize that while the ultimates are not game-changing like in "Overwatch," they can still provide a tactical edge when used effectively.
🔄 Time-to-Kill (TTK) and Game Balance: The hosts discuss the game’s time-to-kill, noting that it’s slower than in "Call of Duty," which allows for more strategic play. This slower TTK provides players with a chance to react, take cover, and use their abilities, making the game feel less punishing and more accessible to a broader audience.
🗺️ Map Design and Game Modes: XDefiant features 14 maps and several game modes, including:
Domination: Control points to score points.
Escort: Move a payload across the map while the other team tries to stop you.
Hot Shot: A unique mode where players collect tokens to become the "Hot Shot" and gain advantages like faster speed and reloads.
The hosts particularly enjoy the variety in maps and game modes, although they acknowledge that some modes, like Escort, can become one-sided depending on team balance.
🏅 Progression and Weapon Customization: The game offers a robust progression system, with challenges that unlock new weapons and attachments. Players can customize their loadouts by leveling up weapons, unlocking attachments like scopes, grips, and barrels, and adjusting them to fit their playstyle. The hosts appreciate the flexibility in weapon customization but note that starting with basic iron sights on new weapons can be challenging.
💻 Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM): Unlike most modern shooters, XDefiant does not use traditional SBMM. Instead, it prioritizes latency and region, which can lead to more varied matches. The hosts have mixed feelings about this system; while it leads to faster matchmaking and more dynamic gameplay, it can also result in matches that feel unbalanced, with some players dominating the game.
💬 Community and Social Features: The hosts touch on the social aspects of XDefiant, noting that communication is crucial but often lacking due to the absence of voice chat in many matches. They also discuss the in-game scoreboard, which tracks kills, deaths, assists, and other stats, and the endgame awards that highlight each player's contributions, whether positive or humorous.
🎉 Final Thoughts and Reception: The podcast wraps up with the hosts reflecting on XDefiant’s strengths and weaknesses. They appreciate the game's fast-paced action, class-based mechanics, and the lack of traditional SBMM, which brings a fresh experience to the FPS genre. However, they also acknowledge that the game may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer more polished, big-budget titles.