Ubisoft’s very first venture into medieval warfare, For Honor was released in 2017 with promises of bloody combat and strategic depth. Nevertheless, its initial journey was full of challenges.
But has time been kind to For Honor? Is it still alive or a ghost of a time gone by?
This review explores 2024 and the state of the game as it stands, its combat mastery, evolution, and also the loyal fanbase that keeps it going.
The Combat System: “A Brutal Masterpiece”
Fundamentally, For Honor’s combat system is phenomenal. It also provides a level of strategic depth not present in melee games.
The “Art of Battle” aspects of the game mix standard fighting game mechanics with a third-person action-adventure viewpoint. Players must read their opponents ‘stances and make direct attacks from open positions. It sounds like a simple concept, but it soon becomes a maze of parries, feints, and devastating combos.
The various heroes and factions throughout the game – from Knights to Vikings to Samurai – each have their very own distinctive mechanics and playstyles on the battlefield.
Mastering these intricacies is both challenging and immensely rewarding.
The Evolution of For Honor
Regardless of a rocky start plagued by connection issues, Ubisoft remains focused on making For Honor much better. Regular content updates and gameplay modifications along with a robust live events calendar have made for a much better experience.
Probably the most notable of these was the Marching Fire expansion in 2018. It introduced the powerful Wu Lin faction with its four new heroes. Additionally, it included two brand new game modes: Breach & Arcade. Breach allows players to get involved in epic siege fights, while Arcade offers a number of increasingly challenging AI combat scenarios.
Other notable advances over time have been advancements in connectivity and player progression systems.
Tutorials and customization options have been improved for a smoother and more pleasurable experience for both brand-new players and returning ones.
A Successful Community
Possibly the most amazing thing about For Honor’s longevity is its community. The game has kept a healthy player base across several platforms despite early struggles.
On Steam alone, the average concurrent player count is around 3,000 players. This growing community helps facilitate quick matchmaking and also helps shape the game as it grows.
Ubisoft has listened to player feedback, guiding the game and addressing issues quickly.
The Downsides: Not So Perfect
For Honor has definitely come a long way though it comes with its fair share of problems. The single-player campaign is a decent tutorial but lacks depth in storytelling and character creation.
Also, the economy and progression system may be a little too frugal for some players – encouraging microtransactions.
In bigger team-based modes, the nuanced fighting can occasionally become chaotic brawls. Despite mechanics like Revenge mode trying to even the scales a little, coordinated teams might still have the upper hand over solo players.
Conclusion: A Great Comeback Story
For Honor, it has been an amazing journey. What started as a promising but flawed idea has developed into a polished, engaging experience. Its fluid and deep combat system remains the title’s crowning achievement, providing the genre with unparalleled strategic depth.
For Honor hasn’t only survived but flourished because of regular updates, new content, and an engaged community. It’s not flawless, but it shows how Ubisoft continues supporting and evolving its titles.
For those looking for a brutal, skill-based melee experience, For Honor is definitely well worth looking into in 2024.
