Synced is a video game that falls into the shooter genre. Shooter games, characterized by their intense action and fast-paced gameplay, have never really appealed to me. As someone who doesn’t frequently play shooter games, Synced was a departure from my usual gaming preferences. I’ve always found myself more interested in other genres, such as role-playing or strategy games. I’ve never felt particularly drawn to this genre of game, so playing Synced was definitely outside of my comfort zone.

However, despite my initial reservations, Synced managed to captivate my attention in ways I didn’t expect. The game’s stunning graphics and immersive world drew me in, making me forget about my usual aversion to shooter games. The developers clearly put a lot of effort into creating a visually impressive and detailed environment for players to explore.

Synced is a companion shooter game set in a techno-apocalyptic future. You are a Runner who must fight against enemy teams and synchronize with Nano companion classes to deploy in combat. Strengthen your squad, upgrade your weapons, and discover the mysteries of the Meridian.

Synced, is developed by NExT Studios and published by Level Infinite. While playing you will deploy with your squad or fight alone with your tamed Nano. Venture into the collapsed world for intense PvE and PvP combat. You also have the choice with the PvE to run off and play solo as well.

One aspect of Synced that I particularly enjoyed was its unique gameplay mechanics. Unlike traditional shooters, Synced introduces the concept of “syncing” with various AI partners or Nano’s. This allows players to strategize and cooperate with their AI allies, adding a layer of complexity to the gameplay. It was fascinating to see how this feature changed the dynamics of combat, creating opportunities for more tactical decision-making.

Synced also boasts a wide range of customization options, allowing players to tailor their gameplay experience to their liking. From choosing different weapons and abilities to customizing the appearance of their character, players have the freedom to create a unique playstyle that suits their preferences. Below you will see a clip of me running through all of the items that were available to me at the time that I could see to upgrade either in the future or in the shop, battle pass, etc. It is a wide array of items and skins for both you and your Nano.

SYNCED has a few modes you can play, which made it interesting to me. The first was that you could play Solo, and the second was that you could team up with others to fight against the Nanos, or lastly, even get in on some PvP action. However, having a few teammates on your side can help to have someone covering your backside making the fights a lot easier. Dead Sector Runs are your usual PvE missions where you’ll be fighting against the Nanos, clearing Surge Storms, and uncovering more of Shinar’s dirty secrets.

I won’t lie Synced’s gameplay is not for the faint of heart, it is fast and it is furious and if you are not careful you will wind up back in Haven in a heartbeat. Of course like most F2P games you gotta play to get stronger so in comes the ole grind. As a result, Synced avoids most of the boring grind by focusing on content that players will often return to, such as PvP.

There are times when the incredible graphics of a game can do more damage than good, and SYNCED’s visuals are at that point. Sure, the game looks beautiful, and it has some interesting environmental storylines to go along with it. The game’s fast-paced and low-contrast models mean that you’ll find yourself shooting at your teammates or summoning enemies. The only bright side is that friendly fire doesn’t occur, good thing for me otherwise i would have consistently killed my Nano.

Next comes the audio it is loud and punchy; the game’s sound effects are nice. Synced’s voice acting is excellent, and as with some games, the characters often spout overly dramatic dialogue in and out of combat, which often made me giggle. However, the background music needs a bit of a volume boost as it’s often too soft to hear amidst all the noises of unloading guns and screaming baddies, making you think there isn’t really any at all.

While Synced was initially outside of my comfort zone, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the game’s engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and innovative mechanics. It challenged my preconceived notions about shooter games and opened my eyes to a new gaming experience. Although I may not become a dedicated shooter game enthusiast, Synced has definitely broadened my horizons and showed me the potential for enjoyment in genres I wouldn’t typically explore. There are a few cons that I didn’t like about the game which of course I listed above, but overall it is a nice game and as it grows I am sure that it will attract more players.

There were a few things that drove me a bit bonkers, not being able to restart my game from scratch, and the currency situation is well over the top. There are too many “coin types” and some you can’t use until you are at a certain level or get past a certain area. It took me forever to figure out what one coin could be used for or where. Once I did I couldn’t use it because i didn’t have enough for anything. All coins are basically used in the shop and the two that you can use without buying don’t give you that much good stuff it is just a skin or two. You must buy coins to get the good stuff.

They have a few kinks in the system as a couple of times I was tagged for a team mission while standing still in Haven and looking away from my screen. I believe that this will be an interesting game once they work out the bugs, however, if they also fix the shop/currency bit it will be as well. I may try playing it a bit more and will put up a few more gameplay videos when I do.

Below I give you a bit of my solo gameplay where you get to see me wipe hard, just near the end of a run.