SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada - Review - An ambitious game let down by microtransactions

XPN Network
May 28
5 min read

Updated: Jun 17

If you're into mechs, post-apocalyptic worlds, and a dash of anime flair, SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada might catch your eye. Developed by Bandai Namco, this third-person shooter throws you into a future ravaged by toxic rain, where humanity survives underground. You, as a "Drifter," pilot a CRADLECOFFIN mech, teaming up with a Magus, a humanoid AI companion to venture into the dangerous surface world.

The game’s art direction leans heavily into a futuristic, post-apocalyptic aesthetic, blending sleek mech designs with gritty, decayed environments. The world is drenched in a blue-tinted atmosphere, reflecting the hazardous rain that plays a key role in the game’s lore. The Cradlecoffin mechs are highly detailed, with intricate mechanical parts that shift and react dynamically during movement and combat. The environments range from abandoned industrial zones to lush but dangerous wastelands, each offering a unique backdrop for exploration and combat.

However, the visual polish is occasionally marred by technical hiccups. Players may encounter frame rate dips, inconsistent textures, or pop-in assets that can break immersion in more action-heavy sequences. These issues don’t ruin the experience, but they do remind players that the game could benefit from further optimization, especially on console platforms.

SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada blends third-person shooter gameplay with mech piloting, resource extraction, and PvPvE dynamics, offering a unique twist on the extraction shooter formula. Players take control of customizable mechs called CRADLECOFFINs, accompanied by AI companions known as Magus, and venture out on timed missions called “Sorties.” The objective during these excursions is to scavenge valuable resources like AO Crystals while surviving both AI enemies and potential encounters with other players. Each mission is governed by the mech's battery life, forcing players to manage their time carefully and retreat to safety before running out of power or risk losing all collected items if they fail to extract.

The mechs themselves are highly customizable, with interchangeable parts core, arms, legs that affect mobility, defence, and storage capacity. Weapons range from submachine guns to shotguns, and while gear comes in different rarities, there’s a lack of unique traits or perks to distinguish higher-tier loot, making progression feel more linear than varied. Combat is tight and responsive, with an emphasis on positioning and managing cooldowns, but it can become repetitive as mission structures often follow the same loop: drop in, collect, fight, extract.

A central gameplay feature is the Magus, an AI partner who rides along in your mech and provides both mechanical support and narrative flavour. Each Magus can be customized in both appearance and voice, and their systems influence gameplay for example, some may improve environmental hazard resistance, while others enhance threat detection. While the AI commentary adds personality and world-building, their lines can become repetitive over time.

Environmental conditions play a significant role in shaping the experience. Toxic rainstorms degrade your mech’s armour and visibility, forcing you to make strategic choices about when to move or hunker down. Meanwhile, hostile alien creatures called Enders patrol the field and pose an increasing threat during poor weather or high-value missions. These elements create a tense, dynamic atmosphere that elevates moment-to-moment decision-making.

PvPvE mechanics are a major component of the game’s tension. Players can encounter and interact with other human-controlled pilots during sorties. These interactions range from cooperative alliances to outright ambushes, creating unpredictable, emergent moments that encourage both caution and cunning. The game’s world is divided into zones with varying levels of PvP activity, letting players choose between safer PvE-focused areas or riskier zones with higher rewards and more competition.

Outside of missions, players return to a hub base where they can upgrade their mechs, craft new weapons, and develop their facilities. This part of the game provides longer-term progression, although it can feel grind-heavy due to limited resources and steep costs for improvements. Optional side missions referred to as Requests offer more structured objectives and serve as a way to guide players through new content.

SYNDUALITY: Echo of Ada has drawn considerable scrutiny for its aggressive monetization approach, especially given that it's a full-priced game. Rather than limiting microtransactions to cosmetic enhancements, the game leans into a structure that affects progression, access to content, and gameplay balance. Players can buy "Syn Coins," the game’s premium currency, which can be used for a range of purchases everything from new Magus AI companions to cosmetics and utility packs. Some of the Magus characters are priced at a level equivalent to about £15-20, and other cosmetic or customization packs follow a similar pricing model.

There’s also a tiered Battle Pass system, offering free and premium tracks. Players who invest in the Deluxe or Ultimate versions of the pass unlock faster progression, exclusive items, and advanced gear. Where things get more contentious is how monetization touches core gameplay mechanics. Crafting, upgrading equipment, and improving player bases are all gated by time delays that can be bypassed with real money. This introduces a "pay-for-convenience" mechanic that edges into "pay-to-win" territory, particularly in a PvPvE game where gear and efficiency often decide encounters.

Also it's worth mentioning that the game is a full loot PVP game. So you can loose your additional items in a single game!

Pros

Deep Customization – You can tweak your Cradlecoffin and Magus to match your playstyle, offering plenty of flexibility.
Immersive World Mechanics – Weather changes and environmental hazards force you to adapt, making each run unpredictable.
Engaging Combat System – The mix of PvE and PvP ensures every encounter feels meaningful and intense.
Satisfying Progression – Upgrading gear, improving your base, and earning rewards keeps you motivated.
High-Stakes Gameplay – The extraction system means every mission has a risk-reward balance that keeps things thrilling.

Cons

Talkative AI Partner – Your Magus companion tends to over-explain things, which some players find distracting.
No Safe Havens – The lack of safe zones means you’re always at risk, which can be stressful for casual players.
Underwhelming Narrative – The game’s story takes a backseat to its mechanics, leaving little emotional investment.
Questionable Monetization – Features like battle passes, premium AI companions, and crafting time-gates have raised concerns.
Unforgiving PvP Landscape – New players often struggle against seasoned veterans, making the learning curve steep.
Clunky UI & Menus – Some interface elements could be more intuitive, leading to frustration with navigation.

And if you are REALLY interested in the game there are currently 2 bundles available filled with additional goodies!

The Deluxe Edition includes:

• SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada

• Deluxe Edition Content

- Magus Costume School Uniform

- Deluxe Drifter Pass Voucher

- Magus Remake Ticket

The Ultimate Edition includes:

• SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada

• Ultimate Edition Content

- Magus Costume School Uniform

- Magus Costume School Uniform Purple

- Ultimate Drifter Pass Voucher

- Magus Remake Ticket

- Mystere Magus Type Exchange Ticket

Visually, the game delivers with detailed environments and cool mech designs, though don’t expect anything ground breaking. The story is pretty forgettable, but the PvPvE mechanics and tense encounters make up for it. If you’re into extraction shooters and don’t mind a steep learning curve, SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is worth checking out. Just be ready for some trial and error and maybe a few rage quits along the way.

For players who enjoy methodical combat and deep customization, SYNDUALITY offers a rich and engaging experience. However, those seeking a more streamlined and less grind-intensive game may find certain elements challenging.

XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)