Discussing the most anticipated open-world game, Arknights: Endfield is undoubtedly the most looked forward to. It is a 3D real-time strategy RPG developed by Hypergryph, which has boldly innovated and integrated from core gameplay to the entire experience. Some players may not be very familiar with the gameplay of Arknights: Endfield, unclear about what type of game it is, and how it differs from the currently popular 2D open-world ARPGs. This article will explain in detail.
Story Background:
This time, Endfield shares the same world view as its predecessor, set 500 years after the Ark storyline. The game is set on the perilous planet "Talos II," filled with erosion disasters. As an administrator of the "Protocol Recovery Department," the player needs to lead a team through the wilderness and ruins, exploring unknown areas, collecting resources, solving puzzles, and gradually restoring the industrial network after the disaster. The plot is linear but also includes rich side quests and interactions. The map adopts a "seamless sandbox" structural design, featuring both main story levels and hidden areas, elite monsters, world bosses, allowing for free exploration of hidden content.
Combat System:
In terms of the combat system, it uses a "real-time combat + strategic pause" approach, making battles more in-depth and rhythmic. The player controls one character out of a four-person team for positioning, combos, dodging, while the other three teammates are controlled by AI for basic attacks and regular skills. Characters can be switched in real-time without entering a menu, and the team can continue fighting even if one member falls.
Each character has multiple types of attack methods, including normal attacks, follow-up attacks, dodge attacks, and finishing moves, as well as primary and ultimate skills. The combat system centers around "Combo Skills," sharing resource slots where all characters share three skill gauges. Basic attacks can accumulate the skill gauge and apply a "disbalance" effect to enemies. When an enemy's disbalance gauge is full, they enter a vulnerable state, taking high damage, including from execution attacks. Additionally, there is a "tactical pause" that allows players to temporarily halt the action in chaotic situations, enabling them to plan strategies and coordinate actions.
Base Construction Gameplay:
The base system uses an "automated integrated industrial system," similar to Factorio-style resource collection and processing systems. Players collect minerals, plants, and other resources in the wilderness, using ziplines, conveyor belts, power networks, and other facilities to transport raw materials to crushing, refining, synthesis, and planting modules, thus forming a complete production line within the base.
Initially, manual transportation might be required, but later, automation can be achieved, eventually leading to fully interconnected assembly line production. Players need to choose suitable areas on the map to build generators, mining facilities, production lines, and transport networks, and use ziplines to connect various resource nodes.
Each operator is not only a combat unit; some roles also have industrial boost capabilities, enhancing base efficiency. This multifunctional role design further strengthens the player's strategic thinking regarding team composition.
Map Exploration:
In terms of map exploration, there are multiple main exploration areas, such as the Erosion Zone, Originium Experimental Park, Quarry, Hub Base, Valley Passage, and so on. Hidden side quests, elite monsters, treasures, and puzzles are scattered throughout, sometimes a seemingly insignificant high slope can reveal hidden large and small levels, encouraging players to actively explore.
During exploration, players can unlock regional power access and construction permissions, opening up more areas, and then use automated industry to increase resource output. This system is mutually supportive, forming a closed loop between map exploration, combat, and construction.
Visuals:
Endfield uses a deeply improved and optimized Unity engine, primarily featuring a sci-fi industrial style. The scenes are realistic, with a mix of 2D character styles, detailed machinery, lines, and ruins, and excellent light and shadow rendering effects. The battle sound effects have a good rhythm, and the character expressions and movements are natural and smooth.
In summary, Arknights: Endfield boldly integrates 3D real-time combat, strategic pauses, character switching and combo, open sandbox exploration, and automated production and facility construction. This combination of sandbox exploration and base simulation is a rare and novel hybrid design. It is precisely this bold cross-over that sets it apart from many 2D games, showcasing great potential. With more testing and updates in the future, Endfield has the potential to become a groundbreaking work.
