Project Ethos: A game design review of the new extraction shooter

Project Ethos is a new extraction shooter released by 31st Union. With a mix of fast twitch shooting and clever new takes on the extraction genre, this game has a lot to talk about. So, what makes it tick, and where it can improve?

Narrative Impressions

Jumping straight into the game, I liked the tone and voice of many of the characters. While there wasn't much of a main story-line beyond the basic "get out there and PvP someone," the world seemed heavily thought out and each character had their own unique voice.

A common piece of screenwriting advice is, "If you cover up the speaker's name, can the reader still tell who is talking?" I think in this case, the answer would be yes.

Fresh Extraction Mechanics

One of the standout features of Project Ethos is its extraction shooter mechanics. The game encourages players to collect cores and extract them while facing off against other players, but does this in a way that feels fresh and unique.

Ethos brings some fresh ideas in to the extraction genre. The game introduces "in-loop" roguelike power-ups or "evolutions" which can drastically increase a player's power mid-match.

It also does a great job leveraging systems like common ammo and item rarity updates to allow for easier and simpler progression. I know a purple primary weapon is stronger than a blue rather than having to read through all the mods and stats that a game like PUBG would require.

Combat System with Room to Grow

As someone who isn’t the best at shooters, I found the bursty damage structure punishing. It was disheartening to feel like I didn't have enough time to make a play of my own. This leads me to think that the game could benefit from more options for players who are less experienced in the shooter genre if it wants to appeal to that audience.

Overwatch, TF2, and other games have classes like the "engineer" or "turret" class that allow for players who aren't the best at clicking heads to still participate.

While this game did simplify mechanics without adding ultimate abilities, in many games from League of Legends to Overwatch, these ultimates give even mediocre players a chance to feel Godlike. 

Without some of these compensatory features, I struggled to envision myself continuing to play since the game didn't have the tools to let me, a bad player, at least have a moment of feeling cool and like I didn't suck.

Team Dynamics = Meh

Teamwork is vital in Project Ethos, but I found myself yearning for a solo mode. The forced team activities can be a bit frustrating, especially when my teammates seemed to rush ahead, leaving me to fend for myself. It would be great to have an option to toggle a solo mode where players can enjoy the game without the pressure of a team.

Visual and Audio Design

On the visual front, the game boasts some impressive graphics, but I found the performance to be a bit laggy at times. Tweaking the graphics settings helped, but a more optimized performance would enhance the overall experience. Additionally, I noticed that the audio cues were sometimes hard to follow, which could be improved to help players navigate the chaos of combat.

Final Thoughts

Project Ethos has a lot of potential. It innovates in the extraction shooter genre with its engaging mechanics and unique inventory and evolution system. However, for low-skill players like myself, the shooter aspects of the game felt much less accessible. Adding features that allow players to feel empowered, even when they’re not performing at their best, could significantly enhance the experience.

Overall, this is a title worth keeping an eye on as it continues to develop. I’m excited to see how the game evolves and what future updates will bring!

Also... if you want analysis on your game narrative, design, or novel, feel free to reach out to me on the edits page!