One Year After Its Release, The Finals Pulled Me Back In – Why This Underdog Shooter Keeps Me Coming Back Night After Night
When discussing trendy shooter hits, few people mention The Finals from 2023. Despite being the debut title from Embark Studios—a team composed of numerous former Battlefield developers—it hasn’t gained significant attention in the public sphere.
Consider this: Marvel Rivals, a newer trend shooter, boasts 25 times the simultaneous player count on Steam compared to The Finals.
Yet, I find myself returning to the digital gladiator arenas of The Finals far more often than I do to Call of Duty, Hunt: Showdown, or Rainbow Six Siege. Why, you ask? Let me explain.
Brilliant Destruction
For fans of Battlefield, the series’ lackluster approach to level destruction in recent years has left much to be desired (a shortcoming Battlefield 7 desperately needs to address). The Finals fills this void brilliantly, delivering demolition-driven gameplay unmatched in the shooter genre.
The once-impressive physics of Bad Company 2 now seem outdated in comparison. In The Finals, nearly everything you see can be obliterated—roofs, walls, bridges, trees, even entire skyscrapers crumble with enough force.
This spectacle isn’t just eye candy; it introduces countless tactical opportunities:
- Defensive Overhaul: Securing an objective on the third floor with mines and traps? No problem—blast the floor to bring the objective crashing into the basement, reshaping the battlefield.
- Strategic Sabotage: The opposing team advances via a construction crane? A well-placed C4 charge turns their strategy to rubble, sending the crane tumbling like a house of cards.
Every round feels fresh and unpredictable as the destructible arenas deform in unique ways.
Tactical Diversity
Though it may not seem apparent at first glance, The Finals offers a vast arsenal of gadgets, allowing for an incredible range of creative strategies. I’m constantly amazed by the ingenuity of my teammates and opponents.
Here’s an example:
Recently, while brainstorming how to breach an enemy vault on the top floor, we devised a plan. Using explosives, we blasted a hole in the roof, dropped an anti-gravity grenade to lift the vault to us, and sealed the hole with a goo bomb. The result? The vault floated right to our position, leaving the enemy team stunned as their prize disappeared into the ceiling.
Moments like these make me feel like I’m in an episode of the A-Team: “I love it when a plan comes together!”
Whether it’s explosives to clear entrenched enemies, sonar equipment for reconnaissance, or goo bombs for makeshift barriers, the possibilities for unique maneuvers are endless.
The Finals might not be a slow-paced tactical shooter like Hunt: Showdown or Hell Let Loose, but it’s far from a mindless shooter. Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are always rewarded.
Fair Monetization
In an era where pay-to-win schemes and endless season passes dominate gaming, The Finals offers a refreshing approach to monetization.
As a Free-to-Play game, the entry barrier is non-existent. You can jump in with friends and form a squad without spending a dime. While there’s a real-money shop and a paid Battle Pass, The Finals keeps gameplay and cosmetics strictly separate.
Real-money currency only purchases visual items like weapon skins, clothing, and emotes. Meanwhile, in-game currency—earned through matches—unlocks new weapons and gadgets. There’s no pay-to-win here; the systems are balanced and don’t interfere with one another.
Conclusion
The Finals stands out as a fresh and innovative entry in the shooter genre, combining jaw-dropping destruction with endless tactical possibilities and a fair payment model. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter shooters, it’s time to give this hidden gem a try. Download it for free, and prepare to reshape the battlefield—literally.