Ubisoft New FPS "X Defiant" Review!　Seize victory by using freely customizable guns and special abilities!

This paper presents a review of this title. We will explain the rules of the game, gun customization, characters and special abilities. This is the "pre-season" version of the game, and many other elements will be released in "Season 1," which will be released in the future. Therefore, I would like to preface this article by saying that there may be some elements that are not mentioned in this article, or that have different specifications.

• Xbox Series X|S version to play
• PC version to play
• PS5 version to play

A first-person shooter in which players are divided into two teams and fight according to various rules.

This title specializes in team-based multiplayer, with two modes: "Arena" and "Linear". In Arena Mode, players can play in three different modes: Domination, in which they fight for three positions; Occupy, in which they fight for a position that changes; and Hot Shot, in which they compete for the number of enemies they have killed.

In "Linear Mode," the main rules are divided between attackers and defenders, with "Zone Control," in which players fight over five positions, and "Escort," in which package transporters and saboteurs clash.

With the exception of "Hot Shots," the rules of this game are based on the so-called "object rules," in which players compete over specific targets, and teams of six players must work together in order to win.

The FPS genre, which is familiar in e-sports, seems to be somewhat difficult for beginners. However, the object rules of this game are mostly the same as those of the other games.

However, since the majority of the game is based on object rules, teamwork is more important than individual skill. Depending on the difference in skill between teams and the time required for a match, it is not unusual to die 20 to 30 times in a single match, and the basic style of play in this game is to get hit and hit back. The time it takes to revive is short, and there is no penalty. The game's photo-realistic graphics and the appearance of real guns such as the M4 and AK-47 give the impression of a hardcore game, but when you actually play it, you will find that it has a casual style that can be enjoyed without being overbearing.

There are two types of matchmaking in this title: "unranked matches," in which players can casually play without regard to their game records, and "ranked matches," in which players' game records are reflected in their ranks. In the unranked matches, there is a feature for beginners called "Welcome to Playlist." Until a player reaches level 25, he or she can be matched with other players of levels 1 to 25 on a dedicated playlist, in other words, with people who have just started playing this game like he or she has.

In this title, the "Welcome to Playlist" function applies "skill-based matching," which makes it easier to fight with people whose skill level is close to yours. This allows players to gain experience in competitive matches and become familiar with the necessary controls and maneuvers, and I felt that "X-Defiant" is designed so that people unfamiliar with FPS or beginners can easily play.

Characters with unique skills, including a barrier that prevents enemy bullets

Another key point of this title is that players can choose to control the forces that have appeared in Ubisoft's works.

The five currently implemented are the Cleaners ("The Division"), the Libertard ("Far Cry 6"), the Echelon ("Splinter Cell"), the Dead Sec ("Watch Dogs 2"), and the Phantoms ("Ghost Recon Phantoms").

The characters have special abilities for each force. There are three types of abilities: "ultras," which have long intervals between uses but are powerful, two types of "active skills," which can be used at shorter intervals than ultras, and "passive skills," which are always effective during operation. There are two types of active skills, and one of them is chosen before a match begins.

For example, if you are a member of the "Phantoms," you first have a passive skill called "Hard," which gives you slightly more physical strength than normal. Then there is "Magnetic Barricade," an active skill that prevents enemy fire and grenades, and "Aegis," which deploys a spherical shield and allows the use of special guns for close combat. Overall, the performance of the "Cleaners" is defensive-oriented.

The "Cleaners" are more offensive, with the ultra "Purifier," which attacks enemies with a flamethrower, and the "Incinerator Drone," an active skill that allows the drone to drop flaming projectiles on the flight path.

Because of these abilities, this work does not end with a mere firefight. The Phantoms' magnetic barricades make it easier to defend friendly positions, while the Cleaners' incinerator drones keep the enemy away from the point of attack. Abilities are even more important in this game because many of the rules in this game revolve around specific targets, such as Domination, Occupy, and Escort.

However, it is also important to note that using abilities is not the only way to win. In Ultra, it takes some time before they become available, so the timing of their activation needs to be carefully considered. Although not as long as ultras, active skills also have a solid waiting time before they can be used, so it is important to know the strengths of the skills and to use them at the right time.

The basic game is a gunfight, with the occasional ability involved, which is the standard for this type of match. Skill in aiming at the enemy as quickly as possible and suppressing the recoil that occurs when firing are of course important, but with the addition of abilities, even players who are not good at gunfights may be able to beat veteran players.

Customize your gun with a wide variety of parts

A variety of guns are available in this title, including submachine guns for close combat and assault rifles for all-around combat at any distance. Each category of gun has a different range of expertise, so the trick is to find the right weapon for the right position.

Another exciting aspect of this title is the large number of attachments available. There are seven types of attachments: muzzle, barrel, front rail, sight, magazine, rear grip, and stock. Even for a single muzzle, there are many variations, such as a muzzle booster that increases the rate of continuous fire, a barrel extender that extends the range, and a compensator that makes it easier to control the vertical recoil.

Assault rifles, too, can be customized to allow precision shooting at long ranges, or the barrel and stock can be trimmed down for close combat. Because the performance of the gun can be altered at the player's discretion, it is easy to adjust the gun to suit one's personal style.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. For one thing, only five attachments can be equipped. This means that you must give up at least two of the seven types of attachments mentioned above. It is up to the player to choose which attachments to give up, such as the muzzle and magazine attachments because of concerns about accuracy, or the sights because they are fine in their initial state.

The second point to note is that some attachments have the disadvantage of reducing some performance when equipped. For example, the Precision Stock, an attachment that can be attached to the stock of the MP5A2 submachine gun, makes it easier to control the level and recoil, but it also increases the time it takes for the recoil to recover and the gap between sighting in and out. In short, the easier it is to aim, the less maneuverable it becomes.

Nevertheless, attachments with these advantages and disadvantages have a large growth potential in terms of enhanced performance. The more you know how to use them, the more likely it is that you will be able to beat your opponent in a shootout.

This title has many highlights, including a balance in which simply being a good FPS player is not necessarily enough to win, as the game is based on gunfights, but also includes abilities, rules that allow players to enjoy intense matches over specific targets, and a high degree of freedom in customizing the performance of guns, which can be changed significantly. The game is free and anyone can play it, so we encourage you to give it a try first.

• Play Xbox Series X|S version
• Play PC version
• PS5 version to play

X Defiant
Release date: May 21, 2024
Price: Free for basic play
Supported platforms: PC (Ubisoft Connect), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: FPS
Publisher: Ubisoft
Rating: C

Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Natsumashi Naoyoshi

Freelance writer with about 10 years of experience. After graduating from a technical college, he worked for a major video game magazine and an editorial production company, writing articles and strategy books. After working for a weekly magazine for a long time and rewriting press releases, he recently started writing for Akiba Research Institute and other web-based magazines. Basically an omnivore, he plays everything from RPGs to action, simulations, and FPS.