THE FINALS
- December 7, 2023
- Embark Studios
- 30h median play time
Get on SteamGOT WHAT IT TAKES? Viewers at home, here's the news you've been waiting to hear: THE FINALS is accepting new contestants, and that means YOU! That's right, soon the world could be watching YOU tear apart our newest dynamic arenas and seize everlasting fame! As you know, THE FINALS is the world's greatest free-to-play combat game show! Our contestants plug in to our virtual world and join teams in…
PC
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- gameplay7,178 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Finals" is widely praised for its fast-paced, chaotic action and innovative mechanics, particularly its destructible environments that add a strategic layer to matches. Players appreciate the variety of classes and abilities, which encourage teamwork and creative strategies, although some express concerns about balance issues and the prevalence of certain overpowered mechanics. Overall, the game offers a unique and engaging experience, especially when played with friends, but it faces challenges related to matchmaking and content variety.
“The gameplay is fast-paced, the shooting mechanics are smooth, and the map design allows for a variety of strategies, making every match feel fresh and exciting.”
“The finals excels with its unique destruction mechanics, fast-paced gameplay, and chaotic yet strategic team battles.”
“The gameplay loop is fun with the ceeeeeshout.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with fluid movement and responsive controls.”
“The gameplay loop can feel a little repetitive but the chaotic nature balances it well.”
“The gameplay is exciting, fresh, and above all else fun!”
- graphics3,055 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Finals" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, with many players praising the vibrant art style and realistic environmental destruction. The game runs well on a variety of hardware, though some users report performance issues on lower-end systems, indicating a need for optimization. Overall, the combination of impressive graphics and engaging gameplay creates an immersive experience that stands out in the competitive shooter genre.
“The graphics as a whole are splendid because no matter how many times I play the same map again and again, I don't hate to play again in it.”
“The visuals are stunning, combining vibrant colors with realistic effects that bring the chaotic environment to life.”
“The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and realistic physics that make every explosion and gunfight feel incredibly immersive.”
“The graphics are awful and the gameplay is wack.”
“The game is still the same as during the beta test, but for some reason there are frequent freezes even though previously my device was safe to play it on medium graphics, but now even low there are still frequent freezes and glitches.”
“The graphics are too demanding for my 3 year old pc.”
- optimization1,940 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The optimization of "The Finals" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly after recent updates. While some users report smooth gameplay and good performance on high-end systems, others experience severe stuttering, low frame rates, and high CPU usage, even on recommended hardware. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphics and destructible environments, it struggles with optimization, especially for lower-end PCs, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
“The game is perfectly optimized, and I can’t stop playing—it's just that good!”
“The graphics are stunning, and the game's performance has been impressively stable even during chaotic matches.”
“The finals is for now the best optimized UE5 title; I love it so much in my Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 5700XT at 1080p medium runs above 100fps, never below 100fps and frametime is pretty good.”
“This game is an un-optimized dumpster fire.”
“Game is poorly optimized and maxes out CPU usage on a 9700k, sitting roughly at 80-99% even just sitting in the menus.”
“The optimization level of the game has significantly deteriorated with each update.”
- stability843 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly disrupt gameplay. While some users acknowledge that the game can be fun when it runs smoothly, the overwhelming sentiment is that it is currently too unstable and riddled with glitches, making it frustrating to play. Despite the developers' efforts to address issues, many players feel that the game is still in a rough state, reminiscent of a beta rather than a polished release.
“The game runs great, looks good, I love the style.”
“It runs great and feels very polished, so this is a game that deserves your time.”
“The game is polished and runs great for me.”
“I can't believe how buggy this game is, deleted.”
“Game is buggy and keeps disconnecting me from the game.”
“This game is a buggy mess.”
- monetization776 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The monetization model in "The Finals" is generally perceived as fair and non-intrusive, focusing solely on cosmetic items without impacting gameplay. Players appreciate the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, with many noting that the battle pass offers more in-game currency than it costs, allowing for future purchases. However, some criticisms highlight the high prices of certain cosmetic bundles and the potential for aggressive monetization tactics, raising concerns about the game's long-term sustainability and player engagement.
“Monetization is fair, and the cosmetics are really fun.”
“The game is tons of fun, microtransactions are purely cosmetic, and really well designed.”
“The monetization is very respectable, as each battle pass has enough premium currency to purchase the next one (with a little extra!), and they just began allowing the purchase of individual items out of a bundle.”
“The monetization is absolutely predatory.”
“This game is a glorified microtransactions delivery system.”
“The monetization feels very fair even though the only skins available kind of suck.”
- humor623 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "The Finals" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's chaotic and absurd moments that lead to laughter, especially when playing with friends. The combination of destructible environments, quirky character designs, and entertaining announcer commentary contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere, making even frustrating situations amusing. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious experience filled with unexpected and funny interactions, appealing to those who enjoy a comedic twist in their gameplay.
“The destruction and chaos make this game so much more fun and allows for so many funny moments.”
“The announcer’s commentary adds a layer of excitement and humor, making you feel like you’re truly part of a zany game show.”
“Each match gives 80 to 140 VR; the hilarious part is that I get more VR from placing 2nd than I do for a dominating run where no team scores but mine.”
“But this is not funny gameplay at all, maybe it's the reason why it is a dead game because it's unbalanced and the devs don't give a single thought about it, rather give us a new battle pass.”
“Boring game, not funny at all.”
“It's also really dull for a shooter and the announcers are really annoying and unfunny.”
- music576 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in "The Finals" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers frequently describe the soundtrack as a "banger," highlighting its ability to keep players hyped and immersed in the game's chaotic atmosphere. Additionally, the seasonal updates to the music have been noted as a significant draw, with fans expressing a desire for more options to access previous soundtracks.
“The music is so good I listen to it outside of the game.”
“With its incredible art style, fair live service model, great music, and fresh innovation in the market, The Finals has become my personal game of the year.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and the game concept is pretty innovative.”
“The music is terrible, which I would rather suggest people turn down because you won't be able to hear to locate the enemy.”
“The music goes completely quiet while in-game; I need more hype the whole time, make me feel like I'm in an arena.”
“The soundtrack is the most generic, fairground-quality music I've ever heard.”
- story463 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal or non-existent, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central narrative. While some players appreciate the lore and thematic elements introduced through seasonal updates and missions, many feel that the overall storytelling lacks depth and character development, making it feel disjointed and unengaging. Overall, the focus remains heavily on gameplay mechanics rather than a cohesive story experience.
“The game's storyline is more about creating a thematic backdrop for the gameplay rather than a traditional narrative.”
“The storyline in the finals is a rollercoaster of emotions, seamlessly weaving together elements of suspense, drama, and sheer excitement.”
“The developers have intricately woven a storyline that explores the personal lives, struggles, and triumphs of the athletes.”
“The plot of the game also leaves much to be desired.”
“And don't even get me started on the so-called 'storyline.' It's more disjointed than a kindergarten art project, and the dialogue is so laughably bad that I suspect it was written by a bot with a malfunctioning sense of humor.”
“This game first of all has 0 story, and the RPG element is terrible; they should definitely take some inspiration from Elden Ring, which has a great story.”
- grinding378 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 72 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it can be excessively grindy, particularly in relation to the battle pass and unlocking weapons or cosmetics. While some appreciate the rewards for grinding, others find it tedious and feel that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, often requiring a significant time investment to achieve desired unlocks. Overall, players suggest that the grind can feel like a second job, with some recommending it primarily for those who enjoy long-term commitment to progression.
“The progression also isn't grindy; it isn't a full-time job to play and complete battle passes like most other games.”
“Fun free-to-play FPS with rewarding items to work towards, not too grindy.”
“Really fun, not grindy; character builds are balanced for the most part.”
“Good game if you are willing to spend the next 3 hours of your life grinding for VRs just to get a single weapon/ability in the game.”
“The game is sweaty and the passes are grindy as hell if you want to collect all the cosmetics.”
“The only downside is the grindy cosmetics, which might not be everyone's cup of tea.”
- atmosphere172 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant, immersive qualities, combining stunning visuals, dynamic sound design, and engaging commentary that evoke the excitement of a game show. Players appreciate the detailed environments and the chaotic yet fun gameplay, which together create a captivating experience that enhances both competition and enjoyment. However, some critiques mention that the AI commentary can become repetitive, slightly detracting from the overall atmosphere.
“Whether you're in a glitzy cityscape or a war-torn industrial zone, every map feels alive, filled with detail and atmosphere.”
“Paired with the stunning visuals, the game creates a jaw-dropping atmosphere that immerses you completely.”
“The combination of stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and intense competition atmosphere makes this game truly unique and entertaining.”
“What I can't stand is woke trash when it comes to characters; the game has just no interesting atmosphere. It feels like you are just some random guys in yoga pants running around in a random arena in some randomly generated TV show.”
“Sadly, it has the harrowing atmosphere of a game designed for only a competitive esports scene, and not a casual player base.”
“The way the AI delivers the lines sounds like dogshit and it actually makes me feel sick playing, ruining any atmosphere you might've gained with the visual design and gameplay.”
- replayability135 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by dynamic environments, diverse character classes, and innovative gameplay mechanics that keep matches feeling fresh and engaging. Many players highlight the fun factor, customization options, and the ability to create unique experiences in each session, although some express concerns about the need for more content and balance to maintain long-term replay value. Despite a few criticisms, the consensus is that the game offers an enjoyable and endlessly replayable experience, especially in multiplayer settings.
“With its impressive visuals, innovative mechanics, and endless replayability, it’s easily one of the best multiplayer shooters of recent years.”
“The unpredictable nature of each match means that no two games are ever the same, enhancing the replayability and keeping you coming back for more.”
“The combination of destructible environments, unique arenas, and varied playstyles ensures a level of replayability that few games can match.”
“The games I'll be able to sit for hours on as the limited maps and game modes really limit replay value.”
“However, the game needs more content (maps, events, gameplay loops, etc.) for better replayability.”
“The game is relatively fun but has lacking replayability and is extremely unlikely to survive any notable period of time, shown by how quickly it is losing players.”
- emotional90 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from nostalgia and joy to frustration and disappointment. Many appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings reminiscent of their early gaming experiences, while others highlight the emotional highs and lows tied to gameplay and community interactions. However, issues such as balance and competitive pressure have led some to feel disillusioned, resulting in a complex emotional landscape that reflects both attachment and frustration with the game's evolving state.
“The emotional highs and lows resonate with the audience, turning the competition into a riveting narrative that goes beyond mere gameplay.”
“This game is like a masterclass in emotional turbulence.”
“The character development is exceptional, and players will find themselves emotionally invested in the fate of the protagonists.”
- character development41 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the character designs as either bland, ugly, or overly androgynous, detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the attention to detail in character aesthetics and animations, others feel there is a lack of emotional connection and narrative depth, resulting in a disjointed experience. Overall, the character design is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's potential for immersive storytelling and engagement.
“The attention to detail in the character designs and special effects elevates the overall experience, adding to the game's immersive quality.”
“The character development is exceptional, and players will find themselves emotionally invested in the fate of the protagonists.”
“The attention to detail in character design and weapon animations adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
“The character design is extremely weird and horrible; it's done so badly I don't know who is what.”
“There also seems to be no character development or story, which makes me not feel or understand the characters and their personal goals, resulting in no connection with any of the playable characters.”
“Really disappointed with the character design as they all look rushed and half-assed; the only word to describe this game is complete disappointment.”
