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THE FINALS

The Finals' best moments are measured in milliseconds, and the time spent in between them is always a rush.
THE FINALS Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
monetization, stability
81% User Score Based on 150,441 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudXbox Cloud GamingXboxNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
THE FINALS Game Cover

About

THE FINALS is a multiplayer tactical shooter game. It was developed by Embark Studios and was released on December 7, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Buy The Finals on PlayStation Store. Dare to compete for fame and fortune in the world's most explosive game show.

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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 150,441 reviews
gameplay4.7k positive mentions
monetization415 negative mentions

  • The Finals offers stunning, high-quality graphics with vibrant, detailed, and fully destructible environments that enhance immersion and gameplay dynamics.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced, chaotic, and highly dynamic, featuring excellent weapon balancing, versatile classes, and strategic depth that keep matches unique and replayable.
  • The game features an engaging game-show atmosphere with energetic music, lively announcers, humorous elements, and strong world-building that together create an addictive and entertaining experience.
  • The game suffers from significant optimization and stability issues, including frequent stuttering, frame drops, crashes, input lag, and performance degradation, especially on lower-end PCs and after recent updates.
  • Matchmaking and progression systems often feel unbalanced and frustrating, causing new players to face veterans unfairly, leading to toxic experiences and a steep learning curve.
  • Character design and story elements are inconsistent or lacking, with some players finding characters bland or poorly developed and the narrative minimal, reducing emotional engagement.
  • gameplay
    10,058 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of The Finals is widely praised for its fast-paced, chaotic, and highly dynamic shooter experience, featuring unique elements like fully destructible environments and a versatile class system that encourages strategic teamwork and creativity. While it demands a learning curve and can feel intense or overwhelming for new players, mastering its mechanics — including varied weapons, gadgets, and movement options — offers rewarding depth and endless replayability. However, some users note issues with matchmaking balance, occasional bugs, and the potential for frustrating moments due to meta imbalances and player skill disparities, yet the core gameplay loop remains engaging, fluid, and innovative for competitive and casual players alike.

    • “The finals is one of the best fps' to come out in recent years; it's uniquely fast-paced and fun with surprising depth to the gameplay. Unlike other shooters, it's not a 5v5, extraction, or hero shooter, but a blend that works very well.”
    • “The standout feature of the game is its innovative destruction mechanics—entire buildings crumble, walls explode, and the environment constantly shifts in ways that directly impact gameplay, adding a layer of strategic and creative play vastly different from other shooters.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced, intense, and rewarding, combining dynamic environmental destruction, fluid movement mechanics, and tactical team-based objectives. The unique combination creates an exhilarating experience where no two matches feel the same.”
    • “They killed melee through a thousand nerfs to gadgets and specializations and they destroyed the movement mechanics that made me love the game originally with the most recent 10.3.0 update.”
    • “Every single match the game throws me in with veterans who have probably played for over a year, people with 300-1000+ wins; while I'm just starting on a game I don't know anything about and I get absolutely crushed because I stand no chance against people who have mastered every weapon and mechanic, making it near impossible for beginners to compete.”
    • “Despite the addition of new gadgets and weapons—which should, in theory, increase variety—the actual gameplay experience feels stagnant, repetitive, and lacking dynamic balance.”
  • graphics
    4,150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features stunning, high-quality graphics with vibrant, detailed, and immersive environments that stand out in the FPS genre. Its fully destructible maps and smooth animations enhance the gameplay experience, although its demanding system requirements and occasional optimization issues may affect performance on lower-end PCs. Overall, the visuals perfectly complement the fast-paced, chaotic gameplay and unique game-show aesthetic, making it a visually impressive and engaging shooter.

    • “It perfectly balances everything important for a good shooter: amazing dynamics - you're constantly on the move, the game literally generates random events at every turn; excellent weapon balancing – any weapon, whether an assault rifle or close-quarters, is on par when played correctly; and, of course, the visuals. The developers at Embark have done a tremendous job with UE5: some of the best graphics in any shooter, with excellent optimization, making it easy to play even on a ten-year-old PC.”
    • “The game stands out immediately because of its visuals—they’re sharp, dynamic, and the destructible environments add a level of chaos that keeps every match feeling unique.”
    • “The finals is an exhilarating and immersive gaming experience that offers a perfect blend of intense competition, strategic gameplay, and captivating visuals. From the moment I delved into the game, I was immediately drawn in by its polished graphics and seamless controls, which set the stage for an unforgettable gaming journey.”
    • “Takes up half of my disk I put it on the lowest graphic settings it still glitches when I shoot I think this game is just for PS5.”
    • “My PC specs are way above the minimum recommended but I can barely get a tolerable framerate and it stutters all the time, sometimes for 1 or 2 full seconds, even when I set every graphic option to the minimum and use ultra performance upscaling (480p).”
    • “This game runs like a slideshow - my even on my 4090 I was experiencing screen tearing and stuttering even with low graphics setting I wouldn’t recommend this at all.”
  • optimization
    2,699 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The finals features impressive graphics and destructible environments with generally solid optimization for a UE5 game, running smoothly on mid- to high-end hardware. However, many players report inconsistent performance, frequent stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, especially during intense destruction or on certain maps, with performance noticeably degrading in recent updates. While the developers have issued patches to improve optimization, persistent CPU bottlenecks, server lag, and anti-cheat-related issues continue to hamper the gameplay experience for a significant portion of the player base.

    • “It perfectly balances everything that's important for a good shooter: amazing dynamics - you're constantly on the move, something is always happening, the game literally generates random events at every turn; excellent weapon balancing – any weapon, whether an assault rifle or a close-quarters weapon, is on par with others when played correctly; and, of course, the visuals, the developers at Embark have done a tremendous job with UE5: some of the best graphics in any shooter, with excellent optimization, making it easy to play even on a ten-year-old PC.”
    • “From the super fast paced gameplay, huge loadouts, three classes with multiple playstyles, beautiful graphics and optimization, huge maps, down to the wrist character customization, in depth environmental interaction, consistent updates, reassuring additions and patches from devs, it really is a multiplayer shooter paradise.”
    • “The finals really stands out with its impressive destructible environment and fully simulated debris physics (rather than just disappearing walls) and still manages to provide stunning visuals with excellent smooth performance.”
    • “The optimization is terrible, constantly getting worse every season - random crashes on hardware more than capable of running it, sometimes locking people out of playing for weeks.”
    • “Literally spent the better part of 2 months trying to fix performance issues with stuttering, crashes, input lag, etc. literally nothing works.”
    • “As of right now i cannot recommend this game, i love the finals its one of my favorite games right now but since the new update, its so unoptimized its almost unplayable, every game there is a 50% chance that for the entire segment u will have input lag on everything, something that makes such a big difference in this game, i really do hope this gets fixed in the next patch because i really do love this game.”
  • monetization
    1,238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in The Finals is predominantly cosmetic, fair, and consumer-friendly, with an emphasis on non-predatory practices and generous free content, such as earning premium currency through gameplay and battle passes that nearly pay for themselves. While some players praise its transparency and reasonable pricing, recent additions like the costly "ultimate" battle pass tier and aggressive advertising have sparked criticism, with concerns over increasing grind, overpricing, and occasional shifts toward more exploitative tactics. Overall, it is viewed as one of the better free-to-play monetization models, though ongoing balance issues and a perceived prioritization of monetization over gameplay quality worry parts of the community.

    • “The monetization: possibly the most consumer friendly monetization system I have ever seen; for example, if you buy the season pass, not only do you get a load of awesome themed cosmetics, it also gives you enough to buy either the next season pass or an older season pass that might have cosmetics you enjoy more, and it allows you to buy individual pieces and mix and match pieces, which is a very rare system to have in a game like this.”
    • “Super friendly microtransactions I have seen in nearly a decade, because if you buy a $20 outfit bundle you'll also get a $20 amount of credit you can use in the shop.”
    • “The monetization is also great. Great graphical style, dynamic maps, fun weapons, huge customization options, and super fair monetization models, like how you can level up two battlepasses at once (an old battlepass while working on the current one) and also paid skins you buy with real money give you the equivalent in in-game currency, which is huge.”
    • “That being said, it's clear that the game is now in a "sucking players dry" stage. There's no coherent art style anymore, especially regarding player cosmetics, which are essentially 'fortnitified.' Alongside this, they've implemented more extreme microtransactions, including a $30 "ultimate battle pass" that just adds a few reskins—an absurd pricing model.”
    • “Aggressive monetization creep has been noticeable, to say the least—I'm looking at you, premium battle pass :(”
    • “With the introduction of the new monetization system—specifically the separation into free, premium, and ultimate battle pass tiers—the game has unfortunately adopted one of the most consumer-unfriendly models I've seen recently.”
  • stability
    985 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits significant stability issues, including frequent freezes, crashes, input delays, and glitches that disrupt gameplay and sometimes require PC restarts. While it runs well on various systems and platforms, persistent bugs—ranging from matchmaking problems to anti-cheat malfunctions—undermine player experience. Although developers actively release patches and engage with the community, many critical issues remain unresolved, making stability a major concern despite the game's unique and fun core gameplay.

    • “The game also runs great on Linux, and the devs are pretty good about fixing any issues that updates introduce quickly.”
    • “Even on my fairly old 3070ti the game runs great, constantly above 70-80 fps on mostly high/ultra settings.”
    • “The game itself runs quite well and is fairly bug free (for a modern game).”
    • “Randomly freezes and forces PC restart at map loading screen.”
    • “The freezes became even more frequent, making it impossible to play.”
    • “Game still hitches and freezes no matter the rig.”
  • music
    902 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives widespread acclaim for its energetic, catchy, and genre-blending soundtracks that enhance the game show atmosphere and gameplay intensity. Each season introduces fresh, high-quality tracks that players enjoy both in and outside the game, with the soundtrack often described as a major highlight and a key part of the game’s identity. While a few users find some repetitive or intrusive elements, the overall consensus praises the music and sound design as top-tier, immersive, and vital to the game’s unique appeal.

    • “The music is freaking peak, and the dynamic announcers make it feel like a real gameshow.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger every single season.”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal, with each season introducing a new theme or variation of previous ones.”
    • “I had to turn everything but sfx off for audio because the music is unbearable.”
    • “The music sounds like it was composed by a tone-deaf cat walking on a piano, and the voice acting is so cringe-worthy that I had to mute my speakers to spare my ears any further punishment.”
    • “The music are terrible which I rather suggest people turn it down because you won't be able to hear to locate the enemy; the map design is terrible, one time my teammates and I somehow all fell to our deaths because there was no jumping plate to use, and everywhere you get blocked or stuck with nothing to do but wait until the match ends.”
  • humor
    851 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its chaotic, fast-paced, and unpredictable gameplay, featuring hilarious destruction physics, funny character customizations, and amusing announcers that create a lighthearted, game-show atmosphere. Many players find it especially entertaining when playing with friends, as the combination of quirky weapons, comical moments, and creative tactics leads to constant laughter and memorable experiences. However, some note that commentary can be cringy or repetitive, and occasional balancing issues slightly detract from the overall funny vibe.

    • “The chaotic gameplay, vibrant visuals, and humorous atmosphere make The Finals a standout in the genre, providing a fresh, funny experience.”
    • “The destructible environments and dynamic combat lead to hilarious and memorable moments, enhancing replay value and strategic depth.”
    • “Playing with friends amplifies the humor and fun, as team coordination and absurd plays create nonstop laughter and intense excitement.”
    • “Seriously these 'match comments' are mostly cringy as hell, not funny or useful at all and hence get really old really quickly.”
    • “Fix anti cheat, meeting aim bot every single game is not funny.”
    • “It's also really dull for a shooter and the announcers are really annoying and unfunny.”
  • story
    669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally minimal or nonexistent, serving mainly as a thematic backdrop to its gameplay rather than featuring a rich narrative or character development. Some players appreciate the world-building and lore elements integrated through sponsors and seasonal updates, while many others find the storytelling lacking depth, coherence, or meaningful progression. Overall, the focus is on fast-paced multiplayer action with emergent gameplay moments rather than a traditional or immersive story experience.

    • “Excellent world building: as someone who normally doesn't play shooters and prefers story-based games, I was impressed by the level of lore and worldbuilding Embark put into this game. The developers clearly invested time thinking about the world surrounding The Finals, which I found very cool.”
    • “The whole story going on behind the scenes is awesome, and the world they crafted is so unique and so far is doing it perfectly.”
    • “One last key item they have in this game is a story that ties really close to an in-game narrative and an ARG as well, with a giant dedicated easter egg hunting community discovering cryptic messages that could uncover more secrets or tease new additions.”
    • “Worst part is that you can crash at the end of a long game, and all the progress you make in mission is lost.”
    • “The storyline lacks depth, and the characters feel one-dimensional.”
    • “The game also has a rigorous progression system which feels like eternity to complete certain missions and the unfortunate thing is weekly mission disappears with the week.”
  • grinding
    538 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in this game is frequently described as extensive and sometimes tedious, especially when progressing through ranked modes and the battle pass, with many players feeling it demands a significant time investment to unlock weapons, gadgets, and cosmetics. While some appreciate the fair monetization allowing free players to earn premium currency through grinding, others find the progression slow, repetitive, and at times discouraging due to issues like imbalanced matchmaking, farming bots, and the dominance of meta playstyles. Overall, grinding can be rewarding and fun when playing with friends, but solo players and competitive climbers often find it frustrating and exhausting.

    • “Fun as hell, but if you’re not grinding 24/7, you’re just a background extra in someone else’s montage.”
    • “Fun free-to-play FPS with rewarding items to work towards, not too grindy.”
    • “The progression also isn't grindy; it isn't a full-time job to play and complete battle passes like most other games.”
    • “You'll be grinding 5 days to lose it all in 1 and there's nothing you can do about it as a solo player.”
    • “And thanks to the point system only caring about placement, world tour takes 6 hours of grinding every single day without piss breaks if you want to reach emerald 1.”
    • “The unlocks are really grindy and you don't get a lot credits at the end of a round, so you have to keep playing the weapons you don't really like to earn the ones you actually want to play.”
  • atmosphere
    242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The Finals delivers a uniquely vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, centered around a game-show style setting with lively announcers, cheering crowds, and immersive sound design that amplifies its high-energy, competitive gameplay. Its detailed visuals, destructible environments, and thematic music all combine to create an engaging, fast-paced experience that blends spectacle, humor, and intense competition. While some find the AI commentary repetitive, the overall atmosphere is widely praised for making each match feel thrilling, immersive, and distinct from typical shooters.

    • “I have thousands of hours in other FPS games and none of them do it quite like The Finals; the atmosphere created by the crowd and announcer is amazing, making the game fast-paced and insanely fun to play as it hypes you up for everything.”
    • “The cosmetics, maps, music, and overall atmosphere all mix together to build such a beautiful experience.”
    • “The sound design, atmosphere, and gameplay are beautifully paired together to create an addicting masterpiece.”
    • “But ranked matches are unplayable due to "matchmaking", where every match is either one afk, or just insults teammates and ruins the atmosphere, or the third disconnects due to problems (or who knows) and it's already lost with 2 players.”
    • “It really sucks because I like the atmosphere and the competition style but it brings out the worst in people; competitiveness and without a good matchmaking system it creates a toxic experience for new players.”
    • “The way the AI delivers the lines sounds awful and it actually makes me feel sick playing, ruining any atmosphere you might have gained with the visual design and gameplay.”
  • replayability
    199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers exceptionally high and often described as "infinite" replayability, driven by its fast-paced gameplay, dynamic and fully destructible environments, varied character classes, and diverse weapons and gadgets. Its randomness, strategic depth, and unique match experiences ensure no two games feel the same, keeping players consistently engaged. Though some users note limited map variety and game modes currently, ongoing updates and community features further enhance its long-term replay value.

    • “The finals delivers an exhilarating 5v5 FPS experience with dynamic maps, fast-paced action, and endless replayability.”
    • “It’s extremely replayable with all of the custom gadgets and weapons, and the different builds help you choose which play style is right for you.”
    • “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.”
    • “Additionally, the limited variety of weapons and characters results in a lack of depth and replayability over time, and the very poor matchmaking often breaks the pace of gameplay sessions, especially when playing with friends on different platforms.”
    • “The games I'll be able to sit for hours on are limited due to the small number of maps and game modes, which really restricts the replay value.”
    • “The game lacks replayability and skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) has essentially ruined this game and others that implement it for me.”
  • emotional
    135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players experience a wide emotional spectrum with the game, from intense frustration and heartbreak due to balancing issues and cheating to moments of joy, nostalgia, and deep attachment to gameplay and community. The game is praised for creating an emotional rollercoaster that engages players beyond mechanics, often evoking laughter, tears, and a sense of camaraderie, especially in casual modes. However, ongoing frustrations with matchmaking, meta imbalances, and game stability cause some to emotionally disengage or avoid ranked play until improvements are made.

    • “The Finals isn't just a game to me anymore — it’s a paradox I’ve fallen in love with, where pain and joy dance hand in hand, and I wouldn’t trade that emotional rollercoaster for anything.”
    • “This game makes you go on an emotional roller coaster.”
    • “The emotional highs and lows resonate with the audience, turning the competition into a riveting narrative that goes beyond mere gameplay.”
  • character development
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development and design in the game receive mixed feedback, with some praising customization, class variety, and attention to detail that enhance immersion, while others criticize the inconsistent, androgynous, or uninspired appearances that detract from player connection and gameplay. Although the art style and animations are often noted as sharp and stylish, many find the overall character design bland or awkward, with limited story development to foster emotional investment. Monetization and cosmetics options also impact players' perceptions of character design quality.

    • “The character development is exceptional, and players will find themselves emotionally invested in the fate of the protagonists.”
    • “The character design and customization options add a personal touch, allowing players to express their individuality while engaging in intense team battles.”
    • “The attention to detail in character design and weapon animations adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
    • “There also seems no character development, no story, which makes me not feel or understand the characters and their personal goals (no connection with any of the playable characters).”
    • “The character design is extremely weird and horrible; it's done so badly I don't know who is what.”
    • “Really disappointed with the character design as they all look rushed and half-assed; the only word to describe this game is complete disappointment.”
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55h Median play time
242h Average play time
9-262h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 417 analyzed playthroughs
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THE FINALS is a tactical shooter game.

THE FINALS is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 242 hours playing THE FINALS.

THE FINALS was released on December 7, 2023.

THE FINALS was developed by Embark Studios.

THE FINALS has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked THE FINALS for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

THE FINALS is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

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