The Finals

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This article is about the video game. For other uses, see Final (disambiguation).
The Finals
Developer(s)Embark Studios
Publisher(s)Embark Studios
Director(s)Gustav Tilleby[1]
EngineUnreal Engine 5
Platform(s)
ReleaseDecember 7, 2023
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Multiplayer

The Finals, stylized in all caps as THE FINALS, is a free-to-play first-person shooter, developed and published by Nexon subsidiary Embark Studios.[2][3] The game focuses on team-based matches on maps with a destructible environment, where players are encouraged to use the dynamic environment to their advantage.[4]

Gameplay[edit]

The Finals revolves around players competing in the titular fictional VR combat game show.[5][6] This is reflected in the holographic crowds which are seen during gameplay, as well as the commentary provided by the game in the form of The Finals' two hosts making observations about the status of a given team or the game itself. Developer Embark Studios have stated that the game is partly inspired by The Hunger Games and Gladiator (2000).[7]

Most game modes feature 2, 3 or 4 teams, each competing against each other in a "free-for-all" competition. The players choose their characters based on a "Light", "Medium", "Heavy" scale, with the character model changing to reflect that.[2][5][8] Certain weapons, moves, and features are class specific and each class has a different movement speed.[2][8] Light builds are faster and smaller but are weakened by a much lower health amount. Medium builds are a traditional soldier class, with median speed, size and durability, while Heavy builds are the most durable class, but have limited maneuverability.[9]

Each class is privy to different equipment and abilities, balancing the game. The Light class is given an abundance of abilities related to speed and movement, such as the Grappling Hook or Evasive Dash. They also have tools to evade and hide, making them a viable option despite their low health. The Heavy class is given powerful destructive tools, such as the RPG and C4, as well as protective measures like the Mesh and Dome shield. The Medium class features several "support" items, including the ability to heal teammates, instantly revive them and place turrets.

The game mechanics encourage emergent gameplay by the way of the many free variables present.[5] These include the highly player modifiable terrain (both destruction and limited construction), varied weather conditions and time of day (which change between matches), and team compositions.[2][5][8] The arenas contain items which are suspended from ropes, as well as items on the ground that can be picked up and thrown by the players, such as barrels and plant pots. Some of them are explosive, meaning they will explode on impact.[5] Entire buildings are potentially destructible if the correct supports are targeted.[2] The game does allow for limited construction, though this takes the form of temporary structures (such as barriers the player can shelter behind), as well as through use of the "Goo Gun" and "Goo Grenade", which both create a solid, though destructible barrier, which has the appearance of foam insulation.

Players who are killed are turned into statues which their teammates can carry and use to revive them.[2] It takes about 5 seconds to revive a player, lowered to 2 if a defibrillator is used. If enough time elapses, a player may choose to respawn themselves, though this consumes a so-called "Respawn Coin". In quick-play games, players can respawn an unlimited number of times, while in Tournament game modes, players have a limited amount of Respawn Coins.

Game Modes[edit]

Cashout[edit]

In Cashout, 4 teams each with 3 players against one another to complete objectives that consist of opening vaults and transporting them to a "cashout station". After bringing the vault to the station, players must defend the point until the cashout timer expires. Other teams can "steal" the cashout in progress, claiming ownership of the point and the potential payout ranging from $10,000 to $22,000 per vault. Multiple vaults can be brought to a single cashout station, combining their payouts under one timer.[5] Aspects of these objectives take inspiration from traditional capture the flag and king of the hill game types, requiring teams to have a control of the area to perform the desired action.[2][5][8] Matches last 9 minutes, with the ability to add a 1-minute "overtime" to the match if a vault is deposited into a cashout station within the last 60 seconds of the match. In Cashout, players have limited respawn credits and teams lose 30% of their total money if all team members die at any point. Players are not able to change their contestant once the match starts, but they are able to swap items from their reserve loadout after a death.

Quick Cash[edit]

In this variation of the Cashout game mode,[2] 3 teams of 3 compete against one another. The ultimate winner of the round is the first team to successfully complete 2 cashouts ($20,000).[2] Other metrics based on kills, assists, deaths and objectives are tracked and shown to the players at the end of the game. The players earn in-game currency, known as VRs, by eliminating players, completing objectives, and other combat maneuvers.[8]

Bank It[edit]

A second game mode, Bank It, focuses more on player vs. player combat and individual play. Scattered around the map are various caches filled with coins, which 4 teams of three compete to collect, 3v3v3v3. The currency is held by players on their person, but is dropped upon their death. Additionally, any time a player is eliminated, they drop additional currency, even if they weren't holding any otherwise. This currency can be turned in at temporary locations that appear on the map periodically, forcing teams to occasionally congregate in the same place to "bank" their coins. The first team to bank $40,000 in currency wins.[10]

Solo Bank It[edit]

Bank It also had a "solo" mode, where 12 players complete individually in a free-for-all format, rather than in teams. This mode is no longer available.[11]

Power Shift[edit]

Added in Season 2, Power Shift is a 5v5 "King of the Hill" mode where teams fight for control of a floating platform that continuously moves throughout the map. Unlike Cashout or Bank It, Power Shift allows players to change not only their equipment, but also their contestant throughout the match.[12]

Ranked Tournaments[edit]

Tournaments feature a modified version of the Cashout game mode, occurring in consecutive rounds with a bracket of 16 teams. In the first 3 rounds, 4 teams compete in each game, with the top 2 teams advancing. In the final round, the top 2 teams face off head-to-head to determine a winner. There are a total of 4 rounds in Ranked Tournaments, and players are only able to swap items from their reserve between rounds.[13] As players win or lose matches they increase their ranking through various leagues, ranging from Bronze to Diamond. Originally, The Finals featured both Ranked and Unranked Tournaments, but the Unranked variation was removed in Season 2.[14]

Event Game Modes[edit]

Steal the Spotlight[edit]

Steal the Spotlight was a limited time event gamemode, which is a variant of Solo Bank It. This event lasted from January 31 until February 14 2024. In Steal the Spotlight contestant play as the heavy build with a pre-set loadout consisting of the Lewis Gun and SA1216 as primary weapons, a variety of gadgets, and Charge and Slam as the specialty. There is also a unique set of cosmetics for this gamemode which all players have equipped while in the match. By completing certain contracts within Steal the spotlight, contestants can obtain the cosmetic items worn in the gamemode. During the match the gameplay is the same as regular Solo Bank It, except that the map is always Las Vegas and there are special turrets and laser sensors near all cashout stations that add a new aspect of stealthiness to the match.

Smoking Guns

Smoking Guns was a limited time event gamemode, which was a variant of Cashout. This event originally lasted from February 29 to March 3rd 2024, but was extended to March 14th. In Smoking Guns, contestants choose a premade loadout for the 3 builds in the game that restricted you western-style equipment. Each Build was able to use the frag grenades, pyro grenade and gas grenade. Light was restricted to the Grappling Hook as the Specialization, The Sword, SH1900 (Sawed-Off Shotgun) and The SR-84 (Sniper Rifle) for the weapons and Smoke Grenade and Glitch Grenade for the Light Build specific gadgets. Medium was restricted to the Healing Beam as the Specialization, R .357 and Model 1887 for the weapons and the Zipline, Explosive Mines and Goo Grenades for the build specific gadgets. Heavy was restricted to Charge 'n Slam for the Specialization, The Lewis Gun and The Sledgehammer for the weapons and Pyro Mine and Barricades for build specific gadgets. There was also a specific set of cosmetics for this gamemode which all players have equipped during the match. By completing certain contracts within Smoking Guns, contestants can obtain the cosmetic items worn in the gamemode. During the match the gameplay is the same as regular Cashout, except that the map is always Monaco and there were western objects and decorations all around the map.

Development[edit]

The Finals, along with Arc Raiders are the first two titles from Stockholm-based Embark Studios.[15] A producer noted that destructibility changed the way the player approached the game, saying "we're constantly surprised by the new and inventive ways players utilize the freedom the game grants. Why open a door when you can use a rocket launcher to blow a hole in the wall, right?".

The title was announced in August 2022 for PC,[16] with console ports later unveiled for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.[17] Closed betas were run in early 2023, with the first closed beta lasting from March 7–21, 2023,[18][19] and the second closed beta occurring between June 14–21.[20] An open beta took place between October 26 until November 5.[21][22]

The Finals was released on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on December 7, 2023, during The Game Awards 2023.[23] The Finals features full support for crossplay, allowing players on different platforms to play together.[24] On release, underperforming servers caused the developers to put a temporary cap on player counts.[25]

Reception[edit]

According to IGN, poor performance and low frame rates posed an issue during the game's early closed betas.[7] The Finals has also been criticized for the use of the A.I. text-to-speech program created by ElevenLabs[28] to artificially generate the voices of characters, rather than utilizing traditional voice actors.[29][30] Embark Studios responded to the criticism, telling Axios the generated voicework in The Finals is "based on a mix of professional voice actors and temp voices from Embark employees."[31]

As of March 2024, the game has been given a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam.[32][better source needed]

Accolades[edit]

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2024 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Online Game of the Year Nominated [33][34]
Outstanding Technical Achievement Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MSN". MSN.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Good, Owen (March 6, 2023). "Ex-DICE developers have made a very un-Battlefield shooter". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Yong-Jun, Cho (February 24, 2023). "Nexon's new first-person shooter game The Finals to start global beta test in March". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Smith, Graham (August 23, 2022). "Former Battlefield devs are making a shooter with destructible levels set inside a game show". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Franzese, Tomas (March 6, 2023). "The Finals is the shake-up the competitive first-person shooter scene needs". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Takahashi, Dean (March 6, 2023). "The Finals has frenetic gameplay full of destruction: hands-on preview". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Chung, Stella (March 10, 2023). "The Finals Preview: This Hunger Games Shooter-Style FPS Shows Promise But Has Major Issues". IGN. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Ramée, Jordan (March 6, 2023). "Why Embark Is Making The Finals, Another First-Person Shooter In A Sea Of FPS Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Erskine, Donovan (March 6, 2023). "The Finals is a chaotically fun first-person shooter". Shacknews. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Finals game modes explained: Quick Cash, Bank It & Tournaments". Charlie INTEL. December 18, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  11. ^ LeBlanc, Wesley (December 7, 2023). "The Finals: New Update Includes Solo Bank It Mode, Bug Fixes, And More Anti-Cheat Measures". Game Informer. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Warren, Tom (March 11, 2024). "The Finals gets a new game mode, private matches, and more gadgets for season 2". The Verge. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  13. ^ Stojković, Aleksa (December 8, 2023). "All Game Modes in The Finals Explained". Twinfinite. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Update 2.2.0". THE FINALS. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  15. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (May 22, 2023). "ARC Raiders Has Changed From a Co-Op PvE Game to a 'PvPvE Survival Extraction Shooter'". IGN. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (August 23, 2022). "Game show-themed free-to-play multiplayer first-person shooter The Finals announced for PC". Gematsu. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  17. ^ Romano, Sal (February 23, 2023). "The Finals adds PS5 and Xbox Series versions; PC closed beta test set for March 7 to 21". Gematsu. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Saed, Sherif (February 24, 2023). "Ex-Battlefield devs' destructive shooter, The Finals, kicks off closed beta soon". VG247. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Wales, Matt (February 23, 2023). "Promising destruction-heavy PvP FPS The Finals gets closed beta in March". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Kelemen, Luci; Samples, Rachel (June 15, 2023). "When does The Finals playtest end?". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  21. ^ @reachthefinals (October 25, 2023). "CAN YOU #REACHTHEFINALS? On October 26 (tomorrow!) the arena opens for our first cross-platform OPEN BETA on Steam, Xbox Series X" (Tweet). Retrieved October 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Maiberg, Emanuel (November 6, 2023). "The Finals Players In Deep Depression Now That the Open Beta Is Over". 404 Media. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  23. ^ @reachthefinals (December 8, 2023). "THE ARENA IS OPEN! Rolling out on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X" (Tweet). Retrieved December 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Is The Finals cross-platform?". Digital Trends. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  25. ^ @reachthefinals (December 8, 2023). "We're warming things up! We've capped the number of players and will increase that cap hour by hour, ensuring the best experience. Don't worry, we won't stop until everyone can enter the arena" (Tweet). Retrieved December 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "The Finals Reviews". OpenCritic. January 11, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  27. ^ "THE FINALS". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Embark Studios (July 4, 2023). "MTM|The Finals: Audio". Meet the Makers (Podcast). Spotify. Event occurs at 08:45. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  29. ^ Tassi, Paul (October 29, 2023). "The Finals Is Using AI Voicework And It Is Bad". Forbes. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Jones, Anthony (December 8, 2023). "The Finals players urge others to 'skip' the game over AI voice acting". PCGamesN. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Totilo, Stephen (October 30, 2023). "Human actors helped make new video game's AI voices, studio says". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "THE FINALS on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  33. ^ "27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  34. ^ Chandler, Sam (February 15, 2024). "The D.I.C.E. Awards 2024 winners & finalists". Shacknews. Retrieved January 16, 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Finals&oldid=1220770052"