The good, bad, and ugly of XDefiant’s Server Test Session

Launching a new FPS in a Call of Duty-dominated space can be a difficult task. Following XDefiant’s Server Test Session there’s still some key improvement to be made, but Ubisoft are definitely on the right track.

After a long wait, XDefiant hosted a Server Test Session from April 19 to April 21, offering players a chance to revisit the game. The test’s purpose was for players to help the devs solve known issues and test the servers, which brought key issues to light involving movement, settings, and net code.

The best way to describe XDefiant’s Server Test Session movement is clunky. While being a frequent Call of Duty player could have influenced how I experienced the movement, it felt really slow and uncomfortable on console. This considerably affected the dynamic of matches, even with FOV cranked to 120.

Nailing movement in an FPS is one of the biggest challenges. When done right, movement allows players to flow around the game’s various maps without interruptions. Call of Duty set a standard on how smooth movement should feel. In comparison, XDefiant’s movement feels more like a procedure with several steps and pauses, rather than one smooth process.

Movement was made worse because of the game’s restricted settings options. Upon entering XDefiant’s Server Test Session, players were limited to picking default settings. While I was able to switch the trigger settings, I felt like I could have easily adapted to the game if it weren’t for the narrow settings that restricted my character’s movement with the colorful world of XDefiant.

While I didn’t experience a ton of net code and hit registration issues, it did often feel like enemies could soak up a ton of bullets and I was instantly killed as a result. This is a major topic of concern for the community. Luckily the devs anticipated this, as the whole point of the Server Test Session was to test the servers and push them to get as much data as possible.

However, not everything about the game needs drastic improvement and XDefiant is definitely on the right track. I can see myself enjoying it if the devs manage to address the core issues mentioned above without pushing the global launch back once again. I really enjoyed XDefiant’s Factions system, granting a slight twist and challenge to every match, with Echelon being my favorite.

Since Call of Duty sets the standard for graphical quality each year, it’s hard to praise graphics in a competing FPS, but XDefiant certainly managed to produce great visuals. The game’s maps, including iconic Ubisoft game locations combined with the vibrant color palette, make it visually pleasing to play.

Last but not least, is the loadout design. As the popular saying goes, sometimes less is more, and XDefiant nails this. Coming from CoD’s complex create-a-class system, XDefiant grants you a simple way to build your favorite weapons to fit your playstyle. This shifts the game’s focus more towards your in-game choices, rather than heavily relying on established metas.

The loadout system along with the graphics is what makes XDefiant the promising arcade shooter many are looking to download when the game finally launches in full.

In addition, the game added a ton of small but vital features that enhance the overall experience like the streak count, objective icons with detailed information, medals, map voting, and an in-game challenges tab, among others.

XDefiant has everything needed to thrive within the FPS genre, however, its success will depend on how the devs address the feedback from the Server Test Session. Overall, the experience felt refreshing, but some key changes are needed for Ubisoft’s shooter to successfully take on its biggest rivals.