XDefiant review: Ubisoft's reply to Call of Duty

XDefiant was globally released on May 21, 2024, and when Ubisoft first announced they were working on a free-to-play FPS title, I was thrilled. Back in 2022, Ubisoft revealed they were developing XDefiant, but it took them two years to refine and finally deliver the final product to the players. I tried out the first beta session and experienced immersive, arcade-style gameplay.

Although the first beta had various issues, this was expected at the beginning of development. With further beta sessions, the game became smoother and had fewer issues. However, server problems were a major concern, but those were resolved too. Initially, the game was supposed to be released in 2023, but due to the developers' desire to fully optimize and refine the game, they took an additional year, releasing it on May 21, 2024.

With the global release of XDefiant, I immersed myself in it and have loved it so far. However, some aspects of the gameplay don't feel quite right. The abilities are great, but they don't seem to mesh well with the gameplay. Additionally, there are no innovative modes that make the game unique and redefining. I will further elaborate on my experience in the sections below.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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XDefiant's standout feature: Thrilling and immersive gunplay

Focusing solely on the raw gunplay and gunfights, XDefiant is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling games in the industry. The fast-paced, intense gameplay offers an enjoyable experience, allowing players to jump into battles, run around, or play tactically, using precise shots to eliminate foes. Each weapon has a unique operating pattern that is easy to control and maintain.

Assault rifles are the popular choice (image via Ubisoft)

However, certain balancing adjustments are needed. From my experience, players tend to favor assault rifles and SMGs the most. Snipers are also a prominent choice and are somewhat overpowered in the game. Conversely, shotguns and light machine guns are underutilized. Despite their popularity in other games such as Call of Duty, these weapon classes in XDefiant are perceived as less effective due to their slower firing rates and lower damage outputs compared to assault rifles and submachine guns.

Notably, no single weapon class dominates the gameplay entirely, as different battle scenarios naturally favor varying playstyles. Players might need to engage enemies at long range or face close-quarters combat. Ubisoft has expertly refined the gunplay mechanics, resulting in a highly satisfying weapon usage experience. Since the game is new, we can expect balancing changes soon.

XDefiant offers stunning maps with a perfect blend of familiar Ubisoft inspirations

The maps complement the gunfights perfectly. They are well-designed and balanced, and each one is visually appealing and distinct, providing a different experience. Additionally, the maps are inspired by other Ubisoft games, which adds an extra layer of familiarity and excitement. The game features maps inspired by titles like Division 2, Far Cry series, Ghost Recon, and more.

Occupy mode in the Arena map (Image via Ubisoft)

Currently, there are 14 maps: Ten Arena Maps and four Linear Maps. These maps are well-balanced, with most being open and featuring multiple pathways for entry and exit. The maps follow a three-lane structure with minimal camping opportunities. You cannot hold a single area indefinitely as you can likely get shot from behind, promoting a gameplay style where everyone has equal opportunities to get kills, instead of falling victim to campers.

Moreover, the maps are designed with little cover, preventing players from holding vantage points with snipers, making the game more engaging.

The maps weren't complex or hard to understand when I first played the game. The structure is simple yet interesting, and you can adapt quickly. The 6v6 format enhances the maps, preventing overcrowding and allowing you to enjoy the game. Additionally, the game features a very fast respawn time, so you don't miss out on the action or lose momentum. This keeps the game engaging and helps maintain your rhythm.

For me, if I'm landing my shots perfectly and having a great game, but then get killed and have to wait a long time to respawn, I sometimes lose momentum and can't secure as many kills afterward. However, in XDefiant, the quick respawn time keeps the momentum intact.

XDefiant factions offer uniqueness but need better balancing and the abilities struggle to blend with gameplay

The XDefiant factions in terms of abilities are not well-balanced, with some factions standing out due to their seemingly standard and easy-to-use abilities during fights. The game feels reminiscent of a Ubisoft multiverse, featuring five factions inspired by various Ubisoft titles.

The Cleaners, straight out of The Division, excel in area control. The Echelon faction, from Splinter Cell, aids in recon and offense, while the Phantom faction, inspired by Ghost Recon, specializes in defensive abilities. The Libertad faction, taken from Far Cry 6, serves as medics to aid on the battlefield. Finally, DedSec from Watch Dogs utilizes hacking and tech skills to disrupt the opposition's abilities.

The Echelon faction is the most frequently selected, followed by the Phantom and Cleaners factions (Image via Ubisoft)

As I play more, it becomes apparent that the Echelon faction is very popular, followed by Phantom and Cleaners. However, I've noticed that the abilities are not well-balanced. The other two remaining factions are not as popular, and I find them less effective in battles compared to the others. The Echelon faction has emerged at the top due to their exceptionally useful recon abilities.

Let's address why the abilities don't mesh well with the gameplay: XDefiant boasts a fast-paced gameplay where kills and deaths occur rapidly, with quick respawns so the milliseconds required to activate abilities can hinder players in this fast-paced environment.

Despite this, a few abilities prove invaluable, granting teams an upper hand. Echelon's popularity can be attributed to their ability to scan and share nearby enemy locations with the team. Additionally, their Ultra ability grants the ability to see through enemies and obstacles constantly, allowing for efficient hunting.

Echelon's Ultra ability (Image via Activision)

Apart from Echelon, Phantom is another popular faction, aiding in area control by deploying shields that block enemy fire, facilitating the defense of a given area. The Cleaners are also sought after for their ability to clear objective-occupied zones by utilizing explosive abilities to retake sites.

While Libertad is not as popular, it remains viable in battles, boosting the health of you and your teammates during intense combat situations. However, the final faction, DedSec, unlocked later in the game, is the least selected and not as effective in the fast-paced gameplay.

Achieving balance among the factions would eliminate this disparity, creating an ecosystem where all factions have equal opportunities. This would lead to a balanced game where no faction overpowers the others, and no innate advantage can be gained by selecting a specific faction.

XDefiant polishes familiar modes but falls behind on innovation

One thing missing is an authentic, innovative mode. If you have played other multiplayer games like Overwatch and CoD, you won't find any original modes that make XDefiant different. All the modes are centered around area control and objectives. There are no modes that distinguish XDefiant and give it its own identity.

Available modes in XDefiant (Image via Ubisoft)

The Domination, Zone Control, and Occupy modes are classic modes that require you to control designated zones on the map. Escort requires you to deliver a robot to a designated location via a predetermined route.

Finally, the most popular mode in XDefiant is HotShot, the only mode that you can play without team support, fully dedicating yourself to gathering kills. This mode adds a little spice, where the player with the highest kill count in each team has boosted abilities, such as becoming faster and scoring more points.

Escort mode in XDefiant (Image via Ubisoft)

Let's hope that in the future they bring out something that gives XDefiant its own identity and strengths in terms of modes that players enjoy, making them want to play more.

XDefiant offers an elevating gaming experience with stunning graphics and optimal performance

The game excels in graphics and overall quality; it is beautifully crafted, well-refined, and optimized. It runs smoothly at high framerates even on modest hardware, boasting excellent visibility that makes spotting enemies easy, thanks to their distinguishability in vibrant environments. The visually appealing scenery enhances the game's attractiveness and immersion.

Great graphics with clear enemy spotting (Image via Ubisoft)

Personally, with my RTX 4060Ti, I experienced flawless performance. Even at 2k resolution with high settings, I consistently achieved over 170 FPS without encountering any lag, server issues, or other problems throughout a week of continuous play. In my experience, the game is exceptionally well-optimized and issue-free.

Conclusion

XDefiant offers a solid free-to-play experience with satisfying shooting mechanics and intuitive controls. The progression system, where leveling up weapons unlocks attachments to enhance them, adds depth to the gameplay. Standout maps contribute to the game's engaging atmosphere.

However, a few abilities that do not complement the fast-paced gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Additionally, there is a noticeable disparity between factions, weakening the game's faction ecosystem. XDefiant lacks a defining game mode, relying instead on familiar modes, which muddles its identity.

Despite these drawbacks, XDefiant succeeds in balancing abilities to avoid overpowering gameplay. Players can enjoy gunfights purely based on aim, though the addition of innovative modes and balanced faction changes could redefine the game in the future.