Ubisoft’s brand new free-to-play first-person shooter, XDefiant, is locked and loaded for release on May 21, 2024.
Developed by Ubisoft’s San Francisco studio, led by former Call of Duty executive Mark Rubin, XDefiant aims to take the FPS world by storm, offering a unique blend of fast-paced action, customization, and faction-based gameplay inspired by various beloved Ubisoft franchises.
A Battlefield of Possibilities
XDefiant promises an exhilarating gaming experience with five distinct game modes and 14 maps available at launch.
Players will have access to an impressive arsenal of 24 weapons, each customizable with 44 different attachments, allowing for endless strategic possibilities and playstyles.
One of the game’s most exciting features is the introduction of five playable factions, each drawing inspiration from iconic Ubisoft franchises.
These factions bring their own unique abilities, buffs, and styles to the battlefield, adding a fresh layer of depth and strategy to the game.
Choose Your Faction, Define Your Playstyle
The five factions featured in XDefiant are:
- Echelon (Splinter Cell): Masters of stealth technologies.
- Libertad (Far Cry): Specializing in healing and support through their BioVida medication.
- The Cleaners (The Division): Wielding devastating fire-based attacks.
- Phantoms (Ghost Recon): Focused on damage mitigation.
- DedSec (WatchDogs): Experts in hacking enemy gadgets and deploying spiderbots.
Players can pledge their allegiance to the faction that best suits their playstyle, but be aware that not all characters and factions will be immediately available at launch. For more information, check out our guide to XDefiant.
Some will require unlocking via in-game missions, adding an element of progression and reward to the XDefiant experience.
Platforms and Availability
XDefiant will be available on PC via Ubisoft Connect, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.
However, it’s important to note that there are currently no plans for release on Steam or the Epic Games Store, so players will need to access the game through Ubisoft’s proprietary platform.
A Rocky Road to Release
The journey to XDefiant’s release has not been without its challenges.
The game has faced several delays, missing both its original end of March 2024 window and a prior scheduled launch in October 2023 due to various developmental hurdles.
Despite these setbacks, initial impressions from the XDefiant beta have been largely positive, with players praising the engaging core gameplay while acknowledging that some adjustments are still needed.
Ubisoft’s commitment to refining the game based on player feedback may mean good things for XDefiant’s future.
Get Ready to Deploy
As the May 21st release date approaches, FPS fans have much to look forward to in XDefiant. With its unique faction system, deep customization options, and the pedigree of Ubisoft’s beloved franchises, XDefiant is poised to make a significant impact on the free-to-play shooter market.
Will XDefiant have what it takes to dethrone the likes of Call of Duty and become the next big thing in the FPS world?
