Info about THE FINALS:

Official game description:
**GOT WHAT IT TAKES?**
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Viewers at home, here's the news you've been waiting to hear: THE FINALS is accepting new contestants, and that means YOU! That's right, soon the world could be watching YOU tear apart our newest dynamic arenas and seize everlasting fame!
As you know, THE FINALS is the world's greatest free-to-play combat game show! Our contestants plug in to our virtual world and join teams in escalating tournaments. They fight it out in our beautifully-rendered arenas based on real-world locations that they can alter, exploit, and even destroy.
Sure, you can aim and shoot, but contestants that add our carefully curated virtual environments to their arsenal are more likely to advance, so do anything you can imagine in the name of victory! Burn arenas to the ground! Send wrecking balls crashing into your opponents! Don't just pull triggers - pull down buildings!
**THE WORLD IS WATCHING**
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THE FINALS thrives on spectacle, so drive your fans wild with thrilling combat and your own personal flair as you compete for worldwide fame and the support of our discerning and stylish sponsors.
**Play Your Way** - Whether it’s sneaking up on enemy squads with a katana in hand or ripping an entire building out from under their feet with explosives, THE FINALS lets YOU make the call! With different skills across body builds and a wide array of weapons and gadgets, you'll have all the tools to make your playstyle your own!
**The World Is Your Weapon (And Enemy)** - A skilled contender might go in guns blazing, but with environmental destruction in your arsenal, that’s just the start of what you can wield against your foes! All of our arenas can be altered, used, or reduced to rubble - and not just by you.
**Your Rising Star** - Ready for your close-up? Standing out in THE FINALS means the eyes of the world will be upon you, so you’d better look your best! Gather fans and fame as you craft a unique avatar with the help of our generous sponsors and dazzling customization options!
**GET FAMOUS**  
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This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Arenas based on iconic places, unparalleled destruction, and endless tactical possibilities await - make them your own, and the floodgates of fame will open. Your competition will have the same opportunities, so it’ll be up to you to be more clever and attention-grabbing. Are you up to the challenge? Are you the world’s next all-star?  
**Can you reach THE FINALS?**
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Release date: Dec 7, 2023

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Team-based Combat, Class-based Combat, Objective-Driven Combat, Competitive Multiplayer, Extraction Gameplay, Environmental Combat, Destructible Environments


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fast-paced, destructive gameplay praised (weight 0.78): Players consistently highlight the game's fast-paced action and well-implemented destructibility as core strengths. The destruction mechanics are described as innovative, satisfying, and a major factor in the game's uniqueness and replayability.
- Satisfying gunplay and movement (weight 0.65): The gunplay is described as snappy, satisfying, and well-balanced, with a variety of weapons that feel distinct and impactful. Movement mechanics, such as ziplining and vaulting, are also praised for adding fluidity and creativity to combat.
- Unique and refreshing FPS experience (weight 0.36): The game is described as a breath of fresh air in the FPS genre, with unique mechanics like destructible environments, class-based gameplay, and a game-show aesthetic that sets it apart from traditional shooters.
- Diverse game modes and maps (weight 0.35): The variety of game modes, maps, and weapons is frequently praised for offering strategic depth and replayability. Players appreciate the unique modes, clear objectives, and the ability to adapt playstyles to different scenarios.
- Extensive customization options (weight 0.34): The game offers deep customization for characters, weapons, and cosmetics, which players find engaging and well-integrated into the game's theme. The monetization of cosmetics is noted as fair and non-intrusive.
- Accessible yet deep gameplay (weight 0.26): The game is noted for its low skill floor and high skill ceiling, making it accessible to beginners while offering depth for more experienced players. The learning curve is described as organic and engaging.
- Fair and consumer-friendly monetization (weight 0.25): The game's free-to-play model is praised for its fairness, with no pay-to-win mechanics and generous rewards. The battle pass system is noted as cost-effective and accessible, even for non-spending players.
- Balanced and distinct classes (weight 0.24): The three-class system (Light, Medium, Heavy) is praised for offering distinct playstyles with unique strengths and weaknesses. Players appreciate the balance and strategic depth this system adds to team-based gameplay.
- Fun and engaging with friends (weight 0.1): The game is highly recommended for group play, with mechanics that encourage teamwork and chaotic fun. Players enjoy the experience more when playing with friends, whether casually or competitively.

Common complaints:
- Frustrating ranked and progression system (weight 0.64): The ranked system is poorly designed, with unfair point distribution, harsh penalties for losses, and inconsistent matchmaking. Progression feels meaningless, and climbing ranks is often more dependent on luck than skill, especially in solo queue.
- Poor matchmaking ruins experience (weight 0.64): The matchmaking system is frequently criticized for being unbalanced, unclear, and unfair, often pairing players of vastly different skill levels. This leads to frustration, especially in solo queue, where inconsistent teammates and long queue times exacerbate the issue.
- Class and weapon balance issues (weight 0.51): The game suffers from severe balance problems, particularly with the Light class being overpowered and the Heavy class feeling underwhelming. Weapons and gadgets are frequently cited as either too strong or too weak, disrupting fair gameplay and creating a frustrating meta.
- Unreliable servers and performance (weight 0.39): Players report frequent server issues, including lag, rubberbanding, disconnections, and poor hit registration. Performance problems, such as FPS drops and input delays, further degrade the experience, even on high-end hardware.
- Rampant cheating and weak anti-cheat (weight 0.31): Cheating is a widespread issue, with players encountering aimbots, wallhacks, and other exploits in nearly every match. The anti-cheat system is ineffective, allowing cheaters to return quickly and ruining the competitive integrity of the game.
- Declining player base and toxicity (weight 0.31): The game has lost a significant portion of its player base due to persistent issues like cheating, poor matchmaking, and balance problems. The remaining community is often toxic, with players ignoring objectives, using abusive language, and lacking teamwork in solo queue.
- Developer neglect and poor updates (weight 0.28): Players feel the developers prioritize monetization and seasonal content over core gameplay improvements. Balance changes are often poorly thought out, and issues like cheating and server problems remain unaddressed for long periods.

Gameplay feedback:
- Class-based system with three roles (weight 0.55): The game features a class-based system with Light, Medium, and Heavy classes, each offering unique loadouts, weapons, and abilities. This system encourages tactical decision-making and team-based gameplay by defining distinct roles (e.g., Heavy as a tank, Light as a scout).
- Destructible environments as core mechanic (weight 0.41): Destructible environments are a central gameplay element, allowing players to dynamically alter maps by destroying walls, floors, and buildings. This mechanic enhances tactical creativity and chaotic combat scenarios.
- Diverse weapons and gadgets (weight 0.24): A wide variety of weapons (ranged, melee) and gadgets (e.g., turrets, shields, grappling hooks) are available, allowing for distinct playstyles and strategies. Weapon balancing ensures varied relevance in combat.
- Objective-based gameplay (Cashout) (weight 0.19): Cashout is a unique objective-based mode where teams collect and deposit virtual currency. This mechanic introduces strategic depth, such as double-stacking cashouts, and is a key feature in tournaments.
- Team-based coordination required (weight 0.14): The game is built around teamwork, with mechanics like class roles, objectives, and gadgets requiring coordination. Team-based dynamics are especially critical in 3v3 or 3v3v3 matches.
- Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) (weight 0.13): Ranked and casual modes feature skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), though some players criticize its implementation or lack thereof. Team balancing and difficulty meters are also present in ranked matches.
- Melee combat mechanics (weight 0.09): Melee weapons (e.g., swords, sledgehammers) are integrated into combat, offering high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Some feedback highlights melee weapons as overpowered or lacking counter-play.
- High skill ceiling and expression (weight 0.08): The game offers a high skill ceiling with mechanics that reward creativity and precision (e.g., katana-wielding Light players). Unique gadgets and destruction mechanics allow for imaginative playstyles.

Performance notes:
- Poor optimization across hardware (weight 0.31): The game suffers from performance drops, stuttering, and FPS instability on both mid-range and high-end hardware. Updates have exacerbated these issues, with reports of frame drops to 25-40 FPS and memory leaks causing stutters.
- High hardware requirements (weight 0.07): The game demands more powerful hardware than comparable shooters, with reports of requiring over 16GB RAM and struggling on mid-range GPUs (e.g., GTX 2060). High-end systems (e.g., RTX 4090) may still face performance issues.
- Input and hit registration delays (weight 0.07): Players report input lag, high latency (100ms+), and hit registration issues due to server-side calculations. These problems worsen combat engagement and responsiveness, particularly in fast-paced scenarios.
- Anti-cheat performance impact (weight 0.04): Denuvo anti-cheat is cited as a major performance bottleneck, causing FPS drops and preventing access to the game. Players with mid-range hardware (e.g., RTX 3060) report significant struggles due to this system.
- Shader and graphical stutters (weight 0.04): Shader preloading causes noticeable stutters during gameplay, and graphical artifacts are reported. These issues detract from visual fluidity and immersion, even on optimized systems.
- Mouse input inconsistencies (weight 0.02): Changes to mouse movement registration in Season 4 have worsened combat engagement for some players, highlighting the need for further input system refinements.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for FPS fans (weight 0.47): The game is frequently praised for its fast-paced, team-based gameplay, making it ideal for fans of shooters like *Counter-Strike*, *Valorant*, or *Overwatch*. Its unique mechanics and dynamic combat appeal to players seeking something fresh in the FPS genre.
- Unique and innovative gameplay (weight 0.46): The game stands out for its destructible environments, creative playstyles, and chaotic yet strategic combat. Reviewers highlight its potential to redefine team-based shooters if polished further.
- Best played with friends (weight 0.17): The game thrives in coordinated team play, with many reviewers emphasizing that playing with friends enhances the experience. Solo play is often discouraged due to matchmaking and balance issues.
- Casual play recommended over ranked (weight 0.16): While the game is enjoyable for casual or short sessions, ranked mode is often criticized for balance issues, cheating, and frustration. Many suggest sticking to 3v3 or casual modes.
- Matchmaking needs improvement (weight 0.14): Poor matchmaking is a recurring complaint, with players citing level disparities, solo vs. party imbalances, and frustration for new or casual players. Fixing this is critical for retention.
- Not beginner-friendly (weight 0.14): New players face challenges due to steep learning curves, cheating, and matchmaking imbalances. Some reviewers explicitly advise newcomers to avoid the game until improvements are made.
- Technical issues hinder enjoyment (weight 0.1): Performance problems, server instability, and optimization flaws are frequent complaints. Some reviewers withhold recommendations until these issues are resolved.
- Low barrier to try (weight 0.07): As a free-to-play title with no downsides to trying, reviewers encourage players to experience the game firsthand, especially given its unique mechanics and potential.
- Fair free-to-play monetization (weight 0.05): The game is lauded for its player-friendly monetization, including a battle pass purchasable with in-game currency. This model is considered one of the best in free-to-play FPS games.

Other player notes:
- Frequent in-game events (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the regularity of events and upkeep mechanics, which keep the game engaging over time. This suggests a well-maintained live-service model.
- Long-term game longevity (weight 0.02): The game’s planned longevity (9+ seasons) is seen as a strong selling point, indicating a commitment to long-term content updates and player retention.
- AI and TTS voice acting concerns (weight 0.02): There is notable feedback requesting clarification on the use of generative AI and text-to-speech (TTS) for voice acting, indicating potential quality or ethical concerns among players.
- Strong and dedicated community (weight 0.02): The game’s community is described as solid and dedicated, which is a positive indicator of player retention and engagement.
- Developer focus on other projects (weight 0.01): Some players express frustration that the developers are prioritizing *Arc Raiders* over this game, raising concerns about long-term support and updates.
- Nexon’s publishing impact (weight 0.01): Players acknowledge Nexon’s role as the publisher, suggesting potential benefits for the game’s success in the Korean market due to Nexon’s regional influence.
- Linux compatibility support (weight 0.01): The game’s Linux compatibility is highlighted as a positive feature, catering to a niche but vocal segment of the player base.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.33): Players consistently cite poor matchmaking, including inconsistent skill-based pairing, high-ranked players facing beginners, and long queue times, as a primary source of frustration. Additionally, persistent technical issues like server instability, performance drops, and anti-cheat failures exacerbate the negative experience, making the game feel unplayable at times.
- Excitement (weight 0.14): The game’s fast-paced, dynamic gameplay and unique mechanics—such as destructible environments and creative class customization—generate excitement. Players highlight the adrenaline rush from chaotic, unpredictable matches and the satisfaction of mastering innovative features like melee builds or environmental destruction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Many players feel the game’s potential is wasted due to long-standing issues like unaddressed cheating, poor matchmaking, and lack of developer responsiveness. The decline in game quality, including broken mechanics, stagnant updates, and prioritization of monetization over gameplay improvements, has led to widespread disappointment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players express satisfaction with the game’s balanced mechanics, rewarding teamwork, and high replayability when issues like matchmaking or cheating are absent. The fair monetization system, frequent updates, and unique gameplay elements (e.g., destructible arenas) also contribute to positive experiences, especially in well-optimized or team-based sessions.
- Anger (weight 0.05): Rampant cheating, unfair matchmaking, and developer neglect—such as ignoring player feedback or failing to fix game-breaking bugs—fuel anger. Toxic community behavior, overpowered mechanics (e.g., the Light class), and perceived greed in monetization further intensify frustration, making the game feel unenjoyable or even unplayable.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game’s originality, high-quality mechanics, and developer efforts, such as responsive feedback on balance issues and fair monetization. The dynamic, fast-paced action, combined with regular updates and a supportive community, fosters a sense of gratitude for the game’s unique design and potential.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Despite current issues, players remain hopeful for improvements like better matchmaking, anti-cheat measures, and quality-of-life updates. Some believe the game’s core strengths—such as its destructible environments and creative gameplay—could lead to a resurgence in popularity if developers address long-standing problems.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): The game’s innovative features, such as destructible environments, unique weapon mechanics, and customizable classes, generate enthusiasm. Players enjoy the fresh, chaotic gameplay and the variety of modes, which stand out in the FPS genre and keep the experience engaging.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Creative plays, emergent strategies from destructible environments, and satisfying moments—like clutch victories or outplaying opponents—bring joy. Seasonal improvements, better matchmaking, and the game’s fast-paced, unpredictable nature also contribute to positive emotional highs.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game’s ambitious design, particularly its destruction mechanics, map design, and overall polish. The developer’s active involvement and responsiveness to community feedback are also praised, highlighting the game’s potential to innovate within the FPS genre.
- Love (weight 0.02): Long-term fans and players deeply connect with the game’s unique mechanics, immersive gameplay, and design philosophy. The soundtrack, customization options, and dynamic possibilities—such as environmental destruction—create a strong emotional attachment, often comparing it favorably to classics like *Team Fortress 2*.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.01): Despite flaws, players find the game fun, especially when playing with friends or in casual modes. The addictive, chaotic gameplay, solid gunplay, and unique mechanics provide consistent enjoyment, even if issues like matchmaking or cheating occasionally disrupt the experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Veteran players reminisce about the game’s earlier seasons, recalling its more casual, balanced state or unique art style. Comparisons to childhood favorites like *Bad Company 2* evoke nostalgia, especially for features or mechanics that have since been nerfed or removed.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): The game’s destruction mechanics, game-show aesthetic, and chaotic moments—such as bank heists or team fights—amuse players. Community dynamics, memes, and humorous interactions (e.g., 
- Resignation (weight 0.01): Some players feel forced to quit due to persistent issues like ranked matchmaking problems, cheating, or declining player bases. Others accept the game’s flaws as inevitable, citing Stockholm syndrome or a belief that the game is beyond repair, despite their attachment to it.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Minor but persistent issues—such as audio bugs (e.g., the Las Vegas radio scare), lack of counters to overpowered mechanics (e.g., Light snipers), or unresolved technical problems—cause annoyance. Censorship, ToS changes, and lack of transparency in bans/reports also contribute to this emotion.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Players express sadness over the game’s decline, including its shrinking player base, loss of unique identity, and unfulfilled potential. The neglect of once-beloved features or the game’s shift away from its original vision evokes a sense of loss and disappointment.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Toxic community behavior, incompetent teammates, and perceived developer greed or neglect elicit disgust. Overpowered mechanics (e.g., the Light class) and poor graphics or gameplay quality in certain areas also contribute to this strong negative reaction.
- Gratitude (weight 0): Players feel grateful for developer responsiveness to feedback, fair monetization, and the game’s role in improving their skills. The sense that the developers listen to the community and prioritize player experience fosters appreciation and loyalty.
- Exhaustion (weight 0): The high-intensity gameplay, persistent issues like ranked system flaws, and industry trends (e.g., matchmaking algorithms) lead to exhaustion. Players feel drained by the constant effort required to enjoy the game amid its technical and balance problems.}