One of the most used concepts used in storytelling is a post apocalyptic world, with only a small number of human survivors living underground while hordes of monsters have taken over the surface. SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is the most recent game to adapt this type of storytelling. SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada is a third person shooter game where you explore the surface in your mech suit, called a cradle, with your AI partner, known as a Magus, collecting crystals for fuel for the underground civilization and hunting down creatures called Enders who have taken over the surface.

Once you start the game you will have to go through a tutorial, teaching you everything you need to know about the cradle, you will be using going forward. You will also learn about your Magus, which will be your partner during your missions. After the tutorial you will be given your own Magus who you can customize to your preferences. You can choose its gender and their body type as well as their features and the special ability the Magus contains. Then you are given a hanger for your base of operations which you will be able to customize as you see fit once you gain enough money. In the hanger, you will be able to customize your cradle with different body parts, which have different states and get to choose the type of weapons and harvester you bring into your missions.

The big issue is that this game is an online only game, so you are required an online membership to even play the game. Games like these don’t have much staying power once people move on to the next big online experience. This game should have had a solo mode so it can be played by people who can’t afford an online subscription or for people who get the game after the online community moves on. This game had potential for a solo mode due to the backstory. It is stated that there was a utopia of humanity that existed despite the mysterious acid rain, but it was mysteriously destroyed. A solo mode could have explored the reason why the utopia was destroyed and even go into the origin of the mysterious acid rain. This game unfortunately lost the chance for an interesting story mode but has a decent multiplayer mode.

Before you start the mission you have to make sure all your weapons are loaded up, because you will need it for what’s on the surface. You also will be given a chance to bring some supplies such as health packs, repair patches, grenades and other single use weapons. Once you are loaded up you are sent to the surface to mine crystals. As you explore the surface you will find Enders looking to take you out. If you’re lucky you can avoid them but if you are spotted they will attack and you will have to fight back. The main objective is to find and mine crystals to power the underground civilization. Mining the crystal will take time so make sure there aren’t any enemies nearby or you will be defenseless. If there’s an enemy nearby and you start mining they will hear and attack you even if you haven’t been seen, it’s better to clear out any nearby enemies so you can mine easier.

This game has a lot going on and can be alot to take in and will give you a stressful experience. Not only do you have to avoid Enders, but you will have to avoid other players on the map. When you start the mission you might have a chance to be on a map with other players and if they are not a part of your group they will attack you and steal your haul preventing you from getting paid. Then while you’re mining you have to keep track of your haul because the more stuff you collect the slower your cradle moves, making it harder to fight or escape. Then the biggest issue is the random acid rain that will show up. When it rains your armor depletes and once it’s gone its game over. The only way to avoid it is to go under something to get out of the rain, but you will be defenseless if an Ender finds you and you will be at their mercy. There isn’t a great way to tell when it’s going to rain or for how long, so if you’re caught in an open area you are pretty much screwed as by the time you find cover you will have almost no armor left if you’re lucky. You can use a patch kit to repair your armor, as well as a health kit to regain health but this adds to the weight of your haul preventing you from carrying more crystals.

When you are done exploring you will have to find an elevator to return to your hanger. The map will always tell you the locations of the elevators on the map, so I recommend you know the location of the nearest elevator in case you need a quick escape. This game does have amazing levels to play. From abandoned cities to ancient forests, these are beautiful places and look amazing. These levels give off a dangerous and mysterious feel to the atmosphere. At any moment you can be attacked or be caught in the rain but it’s hard to not admire the scenery.

In conclusion, SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada, While a fun game, it gives me too much stress during missions. You have too much to worry about with little way of knowing when things are going to happen. If this game did not throw everything at you at once and introduce these hazards gradually then this would be a better experience for everyone playing.

Score: 6 out of 10

Reviewed on PlayStation 5