The Finals: Rising to Fame or Falling Flat?
Hold onto your joysticks, gamers! Embark Studios' latest brainchild, "The Finals," is making waves and breaking records, hitting a staggering 200,000 concurrent players on Steam within just 12 hours of its release. The player tracking gurus at SteamDB are probably getting carpal tunnel from refreshing their screens, as this number is escalating faster than a speedrunner on a caffeine high. Released during The Game Awards on December 7, "The Finals" isn't just winning the race; it's lapping the competition!
The Game Show Shooter: A New Era?
Ready for the next big thing in shooters? "The Finals" is serving up a free-to-play extravaganza with a delicious twist of game show antics. Players, or "contestants," dive into a virtual world where the arenas are as unpredictable as the stock market - you can alter, exploit, and even demolish them. Talk about a demolition derby meets digital gladiator fight! This ain't your grandpa's shooter game; it's an adrenaline-fueled, strategy-packed, virtual playground.
Mixed Feelings in Gamer Town
But wait, not all that glitters is gold in the land of "The Finals." Despite its explosive start, the game's getting a “Mixed” reception on Steam. What's the fuss about? Well, some die-hard fans are grumbling about changes in movement speed since the beta – feeling like they've gone from sprinting cheetahs to leisurely strolling turtles. And let's not forget the connection issues. With more players swarming the servers than ants at a picnic, some gamers are left feeling like they're trying to stream a movie on dial-up internet.
AI Voices: Innovative or Impersonal?
The plot thickens with Embark Studios' decision to use AI voice overs, sparking a debate hotter than a console war. Voice actors and fellow devs have thrown some shade at this move and very understandably so.
Conclusion: A Gamer's Gamble
So, what's the verdict? "The Finals" is like a blockbuster movie with mixed reviews – thrilling, innovative, but not without its flaws. Will it be the next big hit or a flash in the pan? Time will tell. For now, grab your virtual guns, dive into the mayhem, and remember – in the world of gaming, today's underdog can be tomorrow's champion.