SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada

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SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Game Studio Inc. and was released on January 23, 2025. It received neutral reviews from players.

Discover Synduality Echo of Ada on the official PlayStation website. Check out the latest trailers for this sci-fi action-adventure for PS5, where mech-like machines go up against mutated monsters, and explore screenshots, gameplay features and other details.

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 783 reviews

story33 positive mentions

optimization32 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of mech combat and extraction shooter mechanics, providing an engaging gameplay loop.
The customization options for the AI companion, Magus, add a fun and personal touch to the game.
The graphics and overall aesthetic of the game are visually appealing, creating an immersive atmosphere.

The game suffers from severe balance issues between the PvE and PvP factions, making it frustrating for players who prefer PvE.
The monetization model is aggressive, with a battle pass that includes essential gear and a cash shop that feels predatory.
Players often experience technical issues such as lag, hit registration problems, and crashes, detracting from the overall experience.

story
363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
86%
5%
The game's story is often criticized for being poorly executed and lacking depth, with many players feeling that the narrative is fragmented and primarily delivered through tedious fetch quests and audio logs. While some appreciate the lore connected to the anime, they express disappointment that the single-player missions, which unlock later in the game, do not offer meaningful rewards or a cohesive storyline. Overall, the story feels secondary to the multiplayer experience, leading to frustration among players who expected a more engaging narrative.
- “The story missions were a great idea, poorly executed.”
- “These run the standard gamut of fetch/kill/investigate quests on which you'll spend the first few hours until you unlock the actual story, which is a series of single-player missions that have you collecting footage to piece together exactly why the capital city collapsed by focusing on a set of characters.”
- “For someone like me who liked the anime, the single-player story is why you want to buy this game. It really shows how and why Alba became a hero and it connects to the anime so well, so it's really worth getting if you are a fan of the anime itself, although it is pretty short.”
- “The story missions were a great idea poorly executed.”
- “The game is geared more towards an online game as opposed to a story-based game; you have to unlock the story mode, which happens at around the 5-10 hour mark.”
- “The story feels empty; I get it, 'acid rain cutting down the rain forest caused mankind to dig underground and make funbots because cabin fever was setting in.'”
gameplay
225 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a solid core loop that combines exploration, crafting, and combat, but it suffers from issues such as grindiness, unbalanced PvP mechanics, and a lack of depth in certain areas. Players appreciate the unique mech mechanics and the engaging environment, but many express frustration with the monetization strategies and the punitive nature of losing gear upon death. Overall, while the gameplay can be enjoyable and addictive, it is marred by technical issues and a need for better balance between PvE and PvP elements.
- “The gameplay loop is actually really solid and good, but in all seriousness being one shot out of nowhere by 'pvp' players who don't want pvp at all as they don't engage with each other in any way just run around shooting unsuspecting pve players going about their day trying to enjoy the game, so the pvp isn't really pvp it being one shot sniped by some idiot who expects you not to fight back and even if by some miracle you do actually manage to engage in a fight with these people the game is so one sided in their favour it isn't even close due to them having access to better weapons for pvp and mechs that are literally resistant to the association energy weapons.”
- “The core gameplay is engaging, the mech designs are solid, and the combat has the potential to be truly exhilarating.”
- “The gameplay loop gives enough to say that it is worth it for $40.”
- “The gameplay loop is awful, the hit detection is non-existent and the optimization is what you expect from a Japanese developer working on a PC port...”
- “All in all, this game doesn't respect your time, it's looking to abuse your wallet, has a mediocre story, suffers from technical issues, and has a pretty bad gameplay loop.”
- “Boring and repetitive gameplay.”
optimization
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
55%
38%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent stuttering, rubber-banding, and inconsistent frame rates, even on high-end hardware. Many users express frustration over the lack of graphical options and the overall performance, which feels unrefined and often leads to a subpar gaming experience. While some patches have improved certain aspects, the consensus is that significant optimization work is still needed to make the game more stable and enjoyable.
- “The performance is fine; there are some problems with hit registration, but they get better with each patch.”
- “The game runs relatively smooth (despite server lag and some performance issues), is visually and graphically appealing, and is rather enjoyably addicting for the first several hours of gameplay.”
- “There are definitely some performance issues, particularly server-side, but all in all, it's a solid extraction shooter and it has mecha.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, even with my i9 4th and RTX 4070.”
- “Performance is pretty bad for a graphically mid-tier game in 2024; I can't hit a stable 60 fps even on low details.”
- “The performance of the server has tanked in the combined East Asia region, making the game noticeably unstable.”
grinding
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and punishing, particularly due to the loss of hard-earned gear and materials upon death. While some appreciate the grind as a relaxing gameplay loop, others criticize it for being overly time-consuming and lacking meaningful rewards, especially in a PvPvE context where player interactions can lead to significant setbacks. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which detracts from the enjoyment and potential longevity for many players.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Cosmetics and mech blueprints are locked behind extremely grindy 'hard' missions that only last for one season and then are impossible to get afterwards.”
- “No matter how much I want to like this game, it is just too one-sided and grindy to be worth it.”
- “The sudden increase in grind time turned what should be engaging progression into a tedious chore since the grind is already cumbersome and unnecessarily lengthy, making the additional extension feel like an unfair and frustrating burden.”
monetization
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
68%
27%
The monetization in the game has been widely criticized for being aggressive and reminiscent of free-to-play models, despite the game being sold at a premium price. Many players feel that the heavy reliance on microtransactions, including a battle pass and paywalled content, detracts from the overall experience and gives the impression of a cash grab. While some argue that cosmetic items are not essential for enjoyment, the pervasive monetization tactics and the potential for pay-to-win elements have left a negative impression on the community.
- “Overall, I think that this game's monetization style combined with its grind just makes all the PvP problems stand out all the more.”
- “Other than that, all the in-game monetization is purely cosmetic, which is a fine way to help the game remain profitable over the course of its lifespan.”
- “As for the monetization in this game, it's honestly fine for the most part even if others want to complain for a $40 game.”
- “Heavy monetization, more than 70-80% of the battle pass is paywalled, and anything that looks good for your character is incredibly expensive in the in-game store.”
- “Absolute disgrace of a monetization system for a pay-to-play game.”
- “The monetization is absolutely unforgivable on multiple levels.”
graphics
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
62%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the anime-inspired aesthetic and vibrant colors, while others criticize the performance issues, lack of optimization, and limited graphics settings. Many players find the visuals appealing but note that technical problems, such as stuttering and frame rate drops, detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the art style is appreciated, the game's graphical performance and options leave much to be desired.
- “Overall, I’d say it’s worth picking up on a discount, especially if you’re a fan of anime aesthetics and mecha themes.”
- “Set in a beautifully detailed world, the game excels in its anime-inspired, sci-fi aesthetic, bringing a compelling atmosphere and stunning visuals that captivate from start to finish.”
- “The graphics are great, I like the character models for the magus and the style of the mecha.”
- “Hitching and muddy graphics do not help the appeal.”
- “Performance is pretty bad for a graphically mid-tier game in 2024; I can't hit a stable 60 fps even on low details.”
- “The game has some graphical issues and bare bones graphics settings typical of lazy anime games usually produced by Bandai.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
42%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and monotonous, particularly during gameplay, while others appreciate the upbeat atmosphere and the integration of anime tracks in story mode. The opening theme and music video are highlighted as standout elements, but overall, many users express a desire for more engaging and varied soundtracks, often opting to play their own music instead.
- “I liked the PvP, the extraction shooter setting, the progression, the music and audio, the various personalities of the maguses (because each is its own unique model, they have unique lines and voices, a feature the devs put a lot of thought into), and the atmosphere of not knowing who is a friend and who is a foe.”
- “I didn't bother to learn a thing about it before it launched, so I got to know the setting completely from zero, and I'm finding the oddly upbeat 'can do' vibe, the low-key 'firefly' music, and the blend of Monster Hunter, Armored Core, and Phantom Crash gameplay with base builder elements works for me.”
- “As a really nice bonus, the music in story mode tends to be the ones from the anime, so it really does feel like you're there!”
- “The music is quite terrible apart from the opening theme, with the composer Masato Nakayama delivering frankly bland and uninspired work.”
- “Audio 1/5: the soundtrack is monotonous at first, and then you unlock the radio and it's monotonous with slight shifts.”
- “Graphics look nice, but the music is not good to the point I am turning down their music and playing external music.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating anime-inspired, sci-fi aesthetic and detailed world, creating a compelling and immersive experience. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the tension of navigating a PvPvE environment, although some express frustration with how player interactions can disrupt immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is described as cool, engaging, and well-suited to the game's themes, despite some concerns about progression and gameplay loops.
- “The game excels in its anime-inspired, sci-fi aesthetic, bringing a compelling atmosphere and stunning visuals that captivate from start to finish.”
- “The world that this game has crafted has felt amazing; I very much enjoy the PvPvE atmosphere and how it is executed.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the world building is interesting, and the atmosphere is appropriately tense and melancholic.”
- “I'm really big into atmosphere and immersion in my games, and I've found that other players generally clown all over my immersion and ruin the atmosphere.”
- “The game loop is simplistic and repetitive without fast progression, and fits well with the loosened-up atmosphere of the game (in menus etc., outside of battlefields), including the music.”
- “I love anime-style character designs, post-apocalyptic settings, and games brimming with atmosphere, and this game has all three.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating the quirky interactions and personality of the magus, as well as the absurdity of certain mechanics, like the mobile phone game monetization in a full-price title. While some find the humor in the game's design and player experiences amusing, others express frustration over gameplay elements that detract from the fun, such as losing gear upon death. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm but can also highlight some of the game's more frustrating aspects.
- “While you're in the base working on stuff or browsing menus, the magus wanders around and is doing stuff. Some of it is mundane, some of it is funny; it gives the game a lot of personality and makes it feel more alive.”
- “Your magus will look kinda funny :p. You need to upgrade your base to have at least a bathroom and pay 3k to make them look normal again.”
- “I got in this coffin, that's a cradle for an AI that has battery life (that is funny to me every time... hehe, life is on a timer) to go to the surface to collect these items and not be blasted in the back of the head by a sniper (happened the first time playing at the 30-minute mark and just started lol) and give you those items and pay you money I have a hard time getting...”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional experiences with the game, highlighting both wholesome interactions and moments of frustration, particularly related to microtransactions and the slow progression of the battle pass. While some find the atmosphere and thrill of gameplay engaging, others feel a sense of heartbreak over the game's potential decline and the emotional toll of losing in-game gear. Overall, the emotional landscape is characterized by a blend of camaraderie and disappointment, reflecting the game's unique yet flawed nature.
- “I genuinely like this game; I've sunk 50+ hours into it, and it's the first mecha game that has made me feel the actual thrill of being a scavenger. The atmosphere is amazing, and I love heading out on my robot to make bank so I can set my own objectives.”
- “Had some wholesome moments where another player saved me from bandits because we waved to each other earlier in the run.”
- “As it is, I feel it will kill itself, and that's heartbreaking because it is truly unique and fun otherwise.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance on their systems, while others experience frequent stuttering, freezing, and various bugs, including graphical issues and inconsistent controller support. Overall, many users find the game to be unpolished and plagued by stability problems.
- “It looks great and runs smoothly on my rig.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced no crashes or bugs, which makes for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “The game constantly stutters, freezes, and locks up entirely at any graphics settings, despite task manager claiming it uses less than 8GB of RAM, less than 6% of CPU capacity, and less than 5% of read/write speed every time I've had to open it because the game froze (often).”
- “Game is slow and very unpolished, with buggy lighting, enemies glitching out, and controller support only available in some menus, more so than most games that launch today.”
- “Game is a buggy mess.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game offers a wholesome and entertaining experience, but many users feel it lacks significant replay value, with most finding that a single playthrough is sufficient. While the level design has its moments, it does not encourage repeated play.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features appealing anime-style character designs by Neco and mecha designs by Ippei Gyobu, set in a richly atmospheric post-apocalyptic world. Players appreciate the strong visual aesthetics that enhance character development within the game's narrative.
- “I love anime-style character designs, post-apocalyptic settings, and games brimming with atmosphere, and this game has all three.”