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XDefiant launchedjust last week, and I can’t get enough.
Under Ubisoft, Mark has created something special, at least to me.
I rock the name WhoDnee, it’s just a Slim chance Eminem dropped Houdini.
Others would agree with me as well,while some wouldn’t.
It’s almost as if XDefiant’s launch is as divisive as anyCall of Duty release.
XDefiant doesn’t rely on gimmicks or unique selling points.
I rock the name WhoDnee, it’s just a Slim chance Eminem dropped Houdini.
It’s not about constructing strategic blast zones likeThe Finalsor implementing complex class strategies likeRainbow Six Siege.
No, not you, Call of Duty 2023; I’m talking about the 2009 edition.
Back when Lady Gaga had just started talking about her poker face.
Even games where I do great end up being close due to the matchmaking algorithm.
That’s the Call of Duty I remember and the feeling XDefiant manages to bring back.
Now, granted, there are class abilities thrown in as well.
So it’s not totally OG Call of Duty, but it’s nothing ground-breaking.
Another close game!
These abilities don’t feel completely overpowered, either.
Well-timed ultimates can be game-changing but entirely counterable by the enemy.
Everything in this game is meticulously balanced.
Skins are dope, but kind of expensive.
The idea, so to speak, is to match players against others that align with their skill set.
Good players face good players, and not-so-good players face not-so-good players.
The matchmaking algorithm has led to some rather interesting discussions, especially with theCall of Dutycrowd.
Watching them play the following game, it was like they were playing NPCs in rookie mode.
For many players, this has made us feel penalized for playing well.
No more was I allowed to try new weapon combos or attempt to level up my god-awful shotguns.
Don’t mess with me, kids!
Instead, it was whatever assault rifle or SMG was meta at the time.
Many in the middle are also frustrated by a system they feel punishes them.
One fun game could lead to getting absolutely trounced on.
You can “cook” in the game, too.
I have more anecdotal evidence, but my experience with SBMM has influenced my personal life.
There is no reprieve for them.
See, SBMM doesn’t always care who you’re playing with.
It’s not fun for them to even consider playing alongside me.
I can’t jump into a match on a game like Call of Duty with my friends anymore.
At least, not until last week.
XDefiant removes this system and replaces it with a balancing algorithm before the game starts.
No more are players matched into lobbies where everyone is of similar skill sets.
Instead, a random set of players are brought in based on location.
Once matched, they’re paired based on a hidden skill rating that only the player can see themselves.
This matching, in turn, gives each team a set of good players to compete.
The friends I play with now find themselves being able to find kills in my lobbies.
They’re having fun.
It hasn’t been that way with any other FPS in years.
In our minds, that’s why ranked playlists exist.
If players want to compete with others of a similar level of play, play ranked.
For new players level 25 and below, this playlist has SBMM enabled.
The game’s default classes are pretty good, too.
I see nothing wrong with adding something like this to the game.
So long as those differences are labeled appropriately, it would be a system everyone could be happy with.
One caveat that I will mention is that games can be dominated by full squads.
It’s not something you’ll encounter in every game, but it’s something to be aware of.
Factions from popular Ubisoft IP help to bring familiarity and nostalgia to the battleground.
Available now:Xbox|PlayStation|Ubisoft+
What I love even more about XDefiant is the pull from Ubisoft’s classic franchises.
Taking Far Cry, for example, they currently use the Libertad faction from Far Cry 6.
Seen as healers, their skills revolve around keeping teammates and themselves alive.
Boosting their healing, as well as those of others around them.
Perhaps the enemy sees clones or can call in an AI companion like a gun-for-hire.
Using a single game as the foundation creates so many opportunities already.
I can’t imagine the depth of what’s possible when using the entire roster.
That never happens in arcade shooters, right?
I’d have to agree, considering it’s the only gun I consistently lose to at range.
Picking up my own sniper, and it’s easy to see what the fuss is all about.
Zoomed in and on target, but getting shot by an ACR?
No problem, there’s hardly any flinch to throw off your shot.
Before you go saying, “Ah, well, you’re just bad at sniping.”
I was legitimately 167-0 in 1v1 quickscope matches onModern Warfare 2, again, the old one.
No, I’m not making that up.
I even remember the one person who was closest to beating me and what map it was.
Highrise for those curious.
Quick scoping and Rainbow Six Vegas 2 are those times.
As for movement, while it’s primarily decent, we need to talk about the damn bunny-hopping situation.
A penalty needs to be put in place for players who consistently spam the jump button.
I feel like some PC players legitimately wrote a script to spam jump whenever they pull the trigger.
The bunny hopping has already been talked about.
These are things that, to me, are forgivable.
I understand that Ubisoft isn’t some tiny company, but they’ve also never made an arcade-style shooter.
They’re also not Activision, with decades of experience across multiple studios.
Acknowledging these issues is essential to ensure the game’s continuous improvement.
At the same time, we need to understand the complexity behind the issues themselves.
Prior to launch, Mark Rubin announced that they had entirely reworked the net code.
Given that, I wouldn’t expect it to launch smoothly without a hitch.
In fact, I expected it to be a lot worse.
Let ‘em cook
Do you want to know what the studio behind XDefiant did before?
Ubisoft San Francisco, the team responsible for the title, createdRocksmithandSouth Park: The Fractured but Whole.
Mark Rubin and his team at Ubisoft’s B-tier studio have achieved phenomenal results.
They’ve managed to create something remarkable against the odds.
I know it’s captured me.
