Many games have tried to knock Call of Duty from the top spot when it comes to multiplayer. While fans have no shortage of complaints, it’s the first franchise that comes to mind when someone says “online shooter.”
Given that the series featured multiplayer in 2003, it’s no small feat that there hasn’t been a multiplayer franchise big enough to dethrone it. The streak continues as Ubisoft’s XDefiant fails to live up to the hype, with many fans saying the game is just not working out.
XDefiant Is Not the Call of Duty Killer Many Were Expecting
When Ubisoft announced XDefiant three years ago, the title was presented as a fun squad-based shooter that would be a blend of Call of Duty and Overwatch. With the ability to choose from four factions across the Tom Clancy universe, the company aimed to create a fast-paced, addictive shooter with enough variation to keep fans coming back. Oh, and it’s free to play.
What are your thoughts so far on the new XDefiant play test?
Does the game feel better than last time? 🤔 👀 pic.twitter.com/G9E07OvHe5
— XDefiant Informer (@XDefiantInformr) April 19, 2024
In a bid to test the waters and gain some feedback from the community, the studio opened up the play test on April 19. The test is scheduled to go on until the end of the weekend, but the verdict is already in. When XDefiantInformer asked what the people who tried the test thought of the game, the responses were not in favor of the title.
The majority of the replies are filled with criticisms of the game, with complaints ranging from the game being badly optimized to moments of input lag.
No disrespect to people who enjoy it, this game is DOA. https://t.co/rDBmrcDxIz
— Dee (@KickDee) April 20, 2024
One user claimed the running felt too sluggish, and another stated they were being killed even around corners.
It’s not good right now. It just isn’t.
— J007tv (@FakeJ00712) April 20, 2024
The consensus appears to be that the game is dead on arrival.
looking at what people who are saying who played it, it definitely is doa
— dragonslayer1337 (@icamp1337) April 20, 2024
Squad shooters are a dime a dozen at this point, leading to a fair bit of market saturation. Activision’s franchise now has an established fanbase, and even the many reports of hacking don’t push it away, and neither does the upcoming title .
The Shooter Needs Some Serious Work to Wow Fans
While this is just a test, people are expecting more from such a large company. Many indie game studios can offer a far more polished product even for test phases, so the executive taking swipes at Activision’s shooter might be eating some humble pie. While the title is free to play, if things don’t improve, the game may not last longer than a few months.
XDefiant’s strategy was to offer variety in the game. The player can dynamically switch between one of the four factions, enabling them to alter their approach even when in-game. Each faction featured a unique ultimate, something Overwatch players will be very familiar with.
While the game has received a fair bit of criticism, the issues in development go far beyond the title. Tom Henderson, a well-known insider, has revealed some shocking details about the toxic work culture during the game’s development, which the studio will need to address at some point soon.
Are you going to try out the server test? Let us know why or why not in the comments!
