Info about Arknights: Endfield:

Official game description:
Endministrator, Welcome to Talos-II!
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Arknights: Endfield is a 3D real-time strategy RPG from Gryphline.
On the planet \[Talos-II\], visitors to this world, the earliest settlers, braved wars and disasters. Through over 150 years of relentless effort, they rebuilt a foundation for humanity: the \[Civilization Band\].
Yet most of this world remains untamed. Vast wildlands and uninhabited territories stretching toward the horizon still await exploration. The shadows of the past still linger, while new threats have quietly emerged.
As the Endministrator of Endfield Industries, use AIC Factory technologies and collaborate with your operators to build and expand a new homeland for humanity.
Explore Talos-II, Build a New Homeland
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Venture into the soaring peaks and snaking waterways of Talos-II, where discoveries lie at every turn. Neutralize Ankhor threats, purify the Blight, overcome crises through exploration, and continue AIC construction to bring prosperity back to this land.
Meet Operators, Journey Together
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No one stands alone. As you explore Talos-II, you'll meet operators with distinct personalities. Work alongside them to build a new home for humanity.
Unleash Your Creativity, Build an AIC Factory
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Take control of Endfield Industries' versatile facilities. Follow existing production layouts or devise your own sophisticated, highly efficient automated production lines. Let your industrial capacity power every exploration and battle. Savor the joy of building from scratch.
Coordinate Combos, Fight Side by Side
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Lead your team into battle, moving them freely and chaining their skills to shatter enemy defenses. Put both your strategy and control skills to the test on an ever-changing battlefield.
Immerse in the Story, Trace the Path of Civilization
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Awakened from a long slumber, your memories may have faded, but your mission remains clear. As the Endministrator of Endfield Industries, you will journey alongside your operators. Across this vast and uncharted land, the hope of rebuilding your home still burns bright. Go forth and prosper. Reignite the flame of civilization.

Release date: Oct 14, 2026

Categories: Action RPG, Factory Building, Gacha System, Real-time Combat, Team Combos and Synergy, Open-World Exploration, Base Building, Automation Game

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory / Casino; summary: The game is a gacha title with character and weapon banners, battle pass, monthly subscription, and premium currency bundles. Reviews consistently confirm real-money gacha mechanics, though many describe the monetization as relatively F2P-friendly and not pay-to-win. The presence of real-money gacha places the score in the predatory/casino range, but positive F2P feedback suggests it is not the most extreme case.
- Proton/Linux: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Linux/SteamOS users consistently report that the game does not launch with stock Proton and requires DW-Proton, with some also needing an additional launch command or Proton version updates. Once DW-Proton is installed, most users describe the game as running flawlessly and without a launcher, indicating a functional but workaround-dependent Linux experience. The dominant friction is the mandatory custom Proton requirement rather than severe instability or an unsupported platform.
- Steam Deck: score 45; verdict: Tinkering Required - Playable on Deck After Custom Proton Setup; summary: Feedback on the Steam Deck experience is dominated by compatibility-layer tinkering. Stock Proton reportedly fails to launch the game for many users, and play requires installing or selecting DW-Proton, with some users relying on Proton Experimental; the anti-cheat (ACE) additionally only works through that workaround and needs periodic Proton updates. Against this friction, users strongly praise the absence of any external launcher, which removes a common Deck pain point. Performance is achievable at 60 FPS but only after dropping to low settings with FSR 3 / frame generation, and cross-account progression links cleanly. A minority of reports claim the game works out of the box on stock Deck, indicating configuration-dependent inconsistency rather than a fully native experience.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across the largest cohorts, performance is mostly positive on Windows 8-11GB VRAM, Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM, Windows 16GB+ VRAM, and Linux / Proton 16GB+ VRAM. The Windows 12-15GB VRAM and Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM cohorts show mixed reports, with stuttering or optimization complaints alongside positive experiences.
  - Sample size: 317 (30% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (mixed, 79 reports): Mixed reports: some users see stable performance, while others report stuttering and optimization problems on this hardware tier.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 74 reports): Mostly positive performance reports, with many praising optimization and only isolated complaints.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (positive, 59 reports): Players widely report smooth, well-optimized performance even on low-end or below-minimum hardware, with only minor frame drops in busy areas.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (mixed, 49 reports): Performance feedback is split: many praise excellent optimization and high frame rates, while others report severe stuttering, lag, or poor optimization.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 27 reports): This cohort consistently reports excellent optimization, high frame rates, and smooth performance with no major issues.
  - Linux / Proton 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 12 reports): Linux users report strong performance, though most note that a specific Proton version such as DW-Proton is required for the game to run properly.
  - Caveats: 317 of 1040 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently describe the game as free-to-play, with no mandatory purchase to access or enjoy the content. Optional spending is framed as a way to support the game rather than a requirement. The community sentiment indicates the base game is fairly priced at $0, as players can fully engage with the story, lore, and gameplay without paying.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.1h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The daily-routine quotes show typical short login sessions of about 2-10 minutes, with another reviewer stating dailies take literally 5 minutes; I use the midpoint of the 2-10 minute range (about 6 minutes, or 0.1 hours) as sessionLength. The other quotes report total time invested (250-300 and 500+ hours) but do not state completion of the game, completion of the story, or a specific endgame duration, so gameCompletion, storyCompletion, and endgame are left null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Endfield often starts as a slow, tutorial-heavy, and overwhelming experience, but many players report it becomes fun once the story moves past its slow setup or the factory automation opens up.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Halfway through the story
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow story pacing at the start; Tutorial pop-ups and lengthy onboarding; Overwhelming systems, currencies, menus, and sign-in bonuses; Early AIC factory building feels weak or tedious; Early game demands time to understand automation; Progression and mechanics management can overshadow actual play
  - Unlock drivers: Story writing improves after the slow opening; The story clicks halfway through; Late game AIC factory building becomes very fun; Progression flows naturally once systems are settled; Understanding automation basics unlocks the gameplay loop; Automation complexity hooks players once learned
  - Conditions: Enjoyment depends on liking automation games; Tolerance for slow story pacing affects early enjoyment; Reaching the second half of the early game makes it more engaging; Understanding automation basics is required to enjoy the early game; Story enjoyment depends on reaching the halfway point; Late game factory enjoyment depends on reaching late game; Players vulnerable to gacha monetization may not enjoy it; Interest in the Arknights IP can motivate play despite flaws
- Player Archetypes:
  - Arknights Lore Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Explore Arknights lore and characters through a polished 3D gacha.
    - Playstyle: Story-focused character collection with light combat and optional factory use.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Arknights veteran; avid reader
    - Reference games: Arknights
  - Factory Automation Min-Maxer (buy)
    - Motivation: Optimize factory production and solve automation puzzles.
    - Playstyle: Builds and min-maxes production lines, often designing own factories.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: factory guy
    - Reference games: Factorio
  - F2P Anti-FOMO Chill Gacha Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoy a generous, low-pressure gacha without spending or FOMO.
    - Playstyle: Casual daily play, skipping banners and using guaranteed-pull planning.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: f2p
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Burnt-Out Gacha Refugee / Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Find a fresh alternative to stale 3D gacha formulas.
    - Playstyle: Explores a genre mix with a single-player feel and flexible engagement.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: beginner; burnt-out Gacha player
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Fair and F2P friendly gacha (weight 0.32): Many players find the gacha system generous and friendly to free-to-play players, often comparing it favorably to other games.
- Excellent character designs (weight 0.27): Players consistently praise the character designs as beautiful, detailed, and varied. This is a major highlight that enhances the overall appeal.
- Outstanding soundtrack and music (weight 0.27): The music and soundtrack are highly praised as great, memorable, and fitting for the game, with boss themes being particularly amazing.
- Stunning visuals and graphics (weight 0.26): Graphics and visual presentation are frequently described as beautiful, gorgeous, and stunning. The game's visuals are a key strength.
- Best-in-class 3D gacha game (weight 0.26): Reviewers consider it one of the best gacha games, particularly among 3D gachas, praising its quality and overall value.
- Fun factory building mechanic (weight 0.24): The factory building aspect is repeatedly mentioned as fun, engaging, and a standout feature that adds depth to the game.
- Smooth and satisfying gameplay (weight 0.22): Gameplay is described as smooth, fluid, and satisfying, with good stability and optimization. This contributes to a positive experience.
- Fun and unique combat (weight 0.14): Combat is frequently described as fun, good, and unique, with various activities that keep players engaged.
- Lots of content to explore (weight 0.1): The game offers a lot to do and explore, with many activities and features that keep players engaged over time.
- Diverse and excellent voice acting (weight 0.09): Voice acting is praised for its diversity and quality, with accents from different cultures adding to the experience.

Common complaints:
- Harsh Gacha System (weight 0.39): Many players criticize the gacha as punitive, convoluted, and greedy. High rates like 0.8% for six-star characters and a 120-pull guarantee that does not carry over between banners make it difficult for free-to-play players.
- Broken Account Linking (weight 0.25): Linking Google accounts to Steam is broken, treating email and Google as separate and causing a 180-day unlinking block. Many players cannot log in with Google on Steam.
- Pity Does Not Carry Over (weight 0.24): The pity system resets with each banner and does not carry over, requiring 120 pulls for the featured character every time. This is seen as excessively punishing and discourages saving or impulse pulling.
- Story Disappoints Compared to Original (weight 0.17): The story is often dull, slow-paced, and lacks the dread and hopelessness of the original Arknights. Some find it sterile with overly friendly characters and no significant deaths.
- Weapon Gacha Issues (weight 0.13): The weapon gacha system is problematic, requiring pulls on the character banner to access weapons. Each weapon banner has independent pity that does not carry over, often forcing players to hit pity without enough pulls.
- Slow Start and Pacing (weight 0.11): The early game and story start off slow, feeling uneventful and boring. This may not hook players immediately, affecting initial engagement.
- Lack of Endgame Content (weight 0.08): Endgame content is scarce and runs out quickly, which is a critical issue for many players. This lack of content is a major complaint.
- Standard Gacha Game (weight 0.07): Some players note that it is a typical gacha game, with the usual mechanics. This is a neutral observation rather than a strong complaint.
- Excessive Cutscenes Interrupt Gameplay (weight 0.06): Consecutive cutscenes with no breaks make it hard to actually play the game. This disrupts gameplay flow and annoys players.
- Gacha Pool Disgusting (weight 0.06): The gacha pool is described as bad, trash, and disgusting. This reflects strong negative sentiment towards the gacha mechanics.
- Static World and No Day/Night Cycle (weight 0.06): The lack of a day/night cycle and static NPCs with repeated voice lines are noticeable drawbacks. This makes the world feel less dynamic.

Gameplay feedback:
- Gacha System with Pity (weight 0.71): The game features a gacha system with a 120-pull guarantee for featured characters and an 80-pull pity for six-star characters. Pity does not carry over between banners, requiring careful planning.
- Core Factory Building System (weight 0.53): Factory building is a central gameplay mechanic, involving production chains and automation. Players can build factories in towns, use blueprints, and expand their production network.
- Character and Weapon Gacha (weight 0.45): Gacha includes both character and weapon banners. Weapon banners have their own pity system and use currency obtained from character pulls.
- Blueprint Sharing and Importing (weight 0.35): Players can import blueprints from others to save time in factory building. The blueprint system allows copying designs from other players, enhancing the factory experience.
- Team Combos and Synergy (weight 0.19): Combat emphasizes team synergy and ability combos. Players must build teams with specific characters to enable combo attacks and optimize rotations.
- Gacha and Factory Hybrid (weight 0.12): The game uniquely combines gacha character collection with Satisfactory-like factory automation. This mix creates a strategic action RPG with factory simulation elements.
- Arknights Universe Lore (weight 0.11): The game is set in the Arknights universe, featuring rich lore and story connections. It builds on the established world and references the original Arknights.
- No RNG Gear Stats (weight 0.1): Gear crafting uses fixed stats without random substat rolls. This removes RNG from equipment progression, providing deterministic gear upgrades.
- Endgame Challenge Content (weight 0.09): Endgame content includes challenging modes for hardcore players, such as Contingency Contract, Umbral Monument, and Echoes of War. These offer seasonal and high-difficulty challenges.
- Limited Character Banners (weight 0.08): Limited character banners last for three banner cycles and feature a guarantee system. These banners offer exclusive characters for a limited time.

Performance notes:
- Great overall optimization praised (weight 0.33): Numerous clusters contain general praise for the game's optimization and smooth performance across a wide range of devices. Reviewers frequently call it the best-optimized gacha game.
- Stutters and FPS drops (weight 0.22): Despite overall good optimization, some players experience stuttering, frame drops, and lag in certain areas or during specific scenarios. Issues are reported even on high-end hardware.
- Strong optimization on low-end PCs (weight 0.21): Many reviewers highlight excellent performance on modest hardware, including semi-potato PCs and low-spec systems. The game often runs at 60 FPS even below minimum requirements.
- Linux and Steam Deck support (weight 0.21): Many users report successful Linux and Steam Deck experiences, but often require custom Proton versions like DW-Proton or Proton Experimental. Stock Proton frequently fails to launch the game.
- Excellent graphics with performance (weight 0.17): Reviewers frequently praise the high-quality visuals and effects while maintaining smooth performance, even on low settings. The game is noted for its polished look and stable frame rates.
- Occasional bugs and glitches (weight 0.15): A few reports mention minor bugs such as texture glitches, cursor issues, audio delays, and startup errors. However, most of these are isolated and not widespread.
- Runs better than other UE games (weight 0.09): The game performs better than many Unreal Engine titles on the same hardware. This highlights the effectiveness of the modified Unity engine.
- SSD required for smooth play (weight 0.08): Multiple reviews mention that the game requires an SSD for acceptable performance. HDD causes severe freezes, lag, and bottlenecking, making the game nearly unplayable.
- Improved optimization since launch (weight 0.06): Several reviewers mention that performance has improved compared to earlier versions, such as version 1.0. Occasional stutters after updates are often fixed quickly.
- High RAM usage on 16GB systems (weight 0.04): Some users report that 16GB of RAM is insufficient for comfortable play without stutters, recommending 32GB. This suggests memory optimization could be improved.
- No day/night cycle boosts performance (weight 0.04): The absence of a day/night cycle is noted as a deliberate trade-off to maintain stable performance. Some reviewers see this as a positive optimization choice.
- Vulkan offers smoother frametimes (weight 0.04): Using Vulkan results in smoother frametimes and minimal stutter compared to DirectX 11. DirectX 11 performance is described as hit or miss.
- Controller support works well (weight 0.04): Reviewers report good controller support with no issues encountered. The game runs well when using a controller.
- Shader compilation and audio download waits (weight 0.04): Some players experience waiting times for shader compilation and downloading English audio. These are minor inconveniences but not performance bugs.
- Server latency affects connectivity (weight 0.02): High ping with or without an accelerator causes connectivity issues for some players. This impacts online play but is not directly related to game optimization.

Recommendations:
- Strong Overall Recommendation (weight 0.26): Multiple clusters emphasize that players should give the game a try. The sentiment is consistently positive and enthusiastic across the feedback.
- Ideal for Gacha Fans (weight 0.17): The game is strongly recommended for players who already enjoy gacha and exploration games. Those who dislike gacha mechanics are advised to stay away.
- Prior Arknights Knowledge Optional (weight 0.09): Opinions are mixed on whether prior Arknights knowledge is needed. Some say it is not required, while others recommend against playing if new to the IP.
- Gacha Can Be a Trap (weight 0.08): While the game is recommended, multiple reviewers caution that the gacha system can be a trap. Players are advised to be mindful of spending.
- Original Arknights Is Better (weight 0.08): Some reviewers suggest playing the original Arknights instead. They cite better story and more unique gameplay as reasons.
- Appeals to Arknights Fans (weight 0.07): Existing Arknights players who love the IP are likely to enjoy this title. The semi open world and crafting systems are highlighted as strong points for this audience.
- Play Free, Avoid Spending (weight 0.05): Reviewers recommend playing the game without spending any money. The experience is still enjoyable free-to-play, but paying is discouraged.
- Enjoy at Your Own Pace (weight 0.05): Reviewers advise playing at your own pace rather than comparing to others. Avoiding guide-driven expectations leads to a better experience.
- Good for Factory Automation Fans (weight 0.05): Players who enjoy factory automation or management systems will find the game worthwhile. The automation aspect is a notable draw.
- Strong Long-Term Commitment (weight 0.05): Some reviewers express intent to keep playing and supporting the developers long-term. This indicates lasting appeal for engaged players.

Other player notes:
- Steam version avoids launcher (weight 0.31): Players frequently note that the Steam release launches directly into the game without requiring a separate launcher. Some also mention that the game can still be played via its own launcher on other platforms.
- Compared to original Arknights (weight 0.3): Reviewers frequently compare this game to the original Arknights, noting similarities in universe and lore but sometimes finding the story or gameplay less compelling. Some view it as a prequel or sequel within the same franchise.
- Now available on Steam (weight 0.27): The game has recently been added to Steam after previously being available on other platforms like Epic Games. This expands its reach to a wider audience.
- Game steadily improves over time (weight 0.24): Many reviewers highlight that the game has consistently gotten better with each patch and update. The development team is seen as actively improving the experience.
- Better than other gacha games (weight 0.2): Many players feel this game stands out among gacha titles for being more generous with drop rates and less luck-dependent. It is often compared favorably to other popular gacha games like Genshin Impact and NTE.
- Factory system compared to others (weight 0.14): The factory building mechanics are often compared to Factorio and Satisfactory, with some noting it is less deep but more accessible. Fans of those games may find it enjoyable but not as complex.
- Gacha system and pity mechanics (weight 0.14): The gacha system includes an 80-pull pity for 6-star characters and a 120-pull guarantee for featured characters. Some players note that it incentivizes saving rather than building pity incrementally.
- Free-to-play friendly (weight 0.13): The game is considered very F2P-friendly, with most characters and weapons obtainable without paying for gacha. Only a cheap pack, battle pass, and monthly subscription are needed for full access.
- Combat compared to other games (weight 0.13): Reviewers compare the combat system to games like Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, and Wuthering Waves, often finding it faster or more enjoyable. Some consider it better than those titles.
- Monetization includes battle pass (weight 0.08): The game offers a battle pass and monthly subscription as part of its monetization. Some players mention that the battle pass returns its cost in in-game currency.
- Russian localization available (weight 0.08): Russian language support was available from launch, including text and subtitles. This is appreciated by Russian-speaking players.
- Linux requires DW-Proton (weight 0.06): Linux and SteamOS users need to use DW-Proton in the compatibility settings to run the game. It then launches directly without an external launcher.
- Built on modified Unity engine (weight 0.05): The game runs on a heavily modified version of the Unity engine. This technical detail is noted by some players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Players are frustrated by severe technical and account issues, including stuttering, long loading times, crashes, and convoluted or broken account linking that can lock them out for months. The gacha system is also a major source of frustration due to low pull income, pity that does not carry over, and the need for many pulls to guarantee characters. Additionally, the factory system and slow story pacing are often cited as tedious and poorly explained.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment stems from the game failing to live up to expectations set by the original Arknights, with a weak story, shallow characters, and a lack of endgame content. The gacha system is seen as greedy, and the factory system is considered shallow compared to dedicated builders. Technical issues and account linking problems on Steam also contribute.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Satisfaction comes from the game's strong performance, beautiful visuals, engaging combat, and a fair gacha system that respects players' time and money. Frequent updates, developer responsiveness, and the unique factory system are also highlighted as sources of satisfaction.
- Appreciation (weight 0.1): Players appreciate the game's exceptional art, music, and character design, as well as the developers' ethical approach and responsiveness to feedback. The generous gacha system and respect for player time and money are also valued. The game's story and worldbuilding receive high praise.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment is derived from the fun and unique combat, the engaging factory building and automation, and the overall gameplay loop. The beautiful world, character designs, and exploration also contribute to a positive experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration is expressed for the game's stunning visuals, high-quality animations, and character designs, often compared to AAA projects. The unique blend of styles and the developers' approach are also admired.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is driven by impressive boss fights, strong visuals, and engaging gameplay, along with anticipation for future content and story developments. The game's launch on Steam and the ability to play with friends also generate excitement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm is high due to the game's polished quality, unique factory mechanics, and passionate development team. It is often described as one of the best gacha games on the market.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game stems from its immersive universe, beloved characters, and high-quality presentation. Players feel a deep connection to the world and appreciate the continuous improvements.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is centered on the game's potential for future improvement, with players looking forward to better story pacing, new characters, and additional content. The developers' responsiveness and recent updates inspire optimism.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from repetitive combat, dull story, and tedious exploration, as well as a lack of engaging endgame content. The mandatory factory system and grind also contribute to a sense of boredom.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by excessive tutorials, frequent cutscenes, and UI clutter. Account linking complications and repetitive base rebuilding also irritate players.
- Relief (weight 0.02): Relief comes from the game's lack of power creep, easy gear progression, and the availability on Steam without a separate launcher. The absence of RNG substats and short daily tasks also provide relief.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is primarily due to the game's release on Steam, allowing players to continue their progress and enjoy the game on a preferred platform. The free-to-play friendliness and ability to earn pulls also contribute.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at the developers for poor optimization, bad monetization, and restrictive account policies such as the 180-day unlink wait. Unfair gacha mechanics and misleading guidance also provoke anger.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the developers' responsiveness to feedback, the game's positive impact on mental health, and the support for SteamOS/Linux. The quality content and fixes are also appreciated.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from complex factory mechanics, unclear story progression, and account login issues. Skill descriptions and region-locking decisions also confuse players.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is found in humorous situations like building factories in odd places and unexpected player interactions. The game's ability to run on low-spec hardware also brings amusement.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is directed at specific characters like Cellinia Texas, Yvonne, and Rossi, as well as the overall care put into the game's design and animations.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise stems from the game's unexpectedly deep systems, high quality, and the smoothness of the Steam version. Character animation details also surprise players.}