Arena Breakout: Infinite - Tactical Shooting for the Tactically Challenged

When Tarkov meets a user-friendly interface

Launch Day Larry

Arena Breakout: Infinite (ABI) is the latest contender in the tactical shooter arena, promising a more accessible experience than its hardcore cousin, Escape From Tarkov. But does it deliver a smooth extraction, or does it leave players stuck in the mud? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this game, where strategy meets user-friendliness, and see if it hits the mark or misses the target.

Gameplay: Tactical Patience Meets User-Friendly Chaos

Arena Breakout: Infinite takes the tactical shooter genre and gives it a user-friendly twist. Unlike the punishing nature of Escape From Tarkov, ABI offers a smoother, more accessible experience for newcomers. The game emphasizes strategic planning and patience, requiring players to manage resources like morphine and extra magazines carefully. This approach creates a thoughtful and tactical gameplay experience, perfect for those who prefer their shooters with a side of strategy.

One of the standout features is the extensive weapon customization system, allowing players to modify their weapons in detail. This creates a personal connection to their gear, making each loss feel like a punch to the gut. However, the control scheme might have you feeling like you’re trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded, with hardcoded keys that can frustrate players used to different setups.

The game environment is described as gloomy, with average map designs and world-building. While the inclusion of heartbeat sensors and UAVs adds an arcadey feel, the downed state and self-revive mechanics seem more suited for squad-based play rather than solo experiences. Matchmaking includes bots to fill high-stakes lobbies, which can affect the competitive nature of the game. The “flea market” system, controlled by the developers, detracts from the thrill of progression, leaving players yearning for a more dynamic, player-driven economy.

Despite these quirks, ABI offers several quality of life improvements, such as a user-friendly map and marking system, simplified healing and inventory management, and the elimination of team killing. The economy is accessible, making it easy for players to acquire money and gear. With multiple game modes, including Normals, Lockdown, and Forbidden, there’s variety to keep players engaged. However, the entry mode’s high gear value cap can lead to imbalances, leaving newcomers at the mercy of experienced players.

Graphics: A Visual Feast with a Side of Optimization

Arena Breakout: Infinite’s graphics are a feast for the eyes, especially when compared to the dated visuals of Escape From Tarkov. The game achieves high frame rates, such as 160-180 FPS on high settings at 1440p, making it a well-optimized and visually appealing experience. This is a significant improvement over Tarkov’s lower FPS and outdated appearance, setting ABI apart from other games with optimization issues.

However, some players feel that the graphics do not justify the game’s hefty 80GB file size, expecting more visually impressive content for such a significant storage requirement. Additionally, there are reports of performance issues like stuttering, which some players have attempted to fix by deleting their Nvidia cache, though this solution is not always effective.

Despite these hiccups, ABI is praised for its impressive graphics, even on lower settings, making it accessible to players with less powerful PCs. This optimization is frequently mentioned, indicating that developers have successfully balanced graphical fidelity with performance, enhancing the game’s appeal to a broader audience.

Story: A Narrative with an Identity Crisis

The story of Arena Breakout: Infinite is a mixed bag, with some players finding the narrative engaging and immersive, while others describe it as experiencing an “identity crisis.” The game attempts to blend elements from various popular games, leading to a lack of originality and coherence in the storytelling. The tension between promoting realism and incorporating arcade-like features, such as revive potions and goofy skins, further detracts from a cohesive story experience.

The in-game market, controlled by developers rather than being player-driven, impacts the story’s immersion and believability. This lack of a dynamic, player-influenced world may hinder the narrative’s depth and engagement. Comparisons to other games like Tarkov and Vigor highlight a desire for more community-focused development and in-depth gameplay mechanics, such as base-building, to complement the story.

While the narrative is considered strong by some, there is a call for more comprehensive customization options to enhance the storytelling experience. Despite its shortcomings, the story’s artistic quality and potential to transcend typical gaming experiences suggest that it holds a unique appeal for some players.

Final Verdict

Arena Breakout: Infinite offers a polished and enjoyable main gameplay loop, with several quality of life features enhancing the experience. While it provides a more accessible and fun version of Tarkov, there is room for improvement in creativity, design, and certain gameplay mechanics. The graphics are a standout feature, contributing to the game’s appeal by offering high-quality visuals without compromising performance. However, the story and thematic elements suffer from a lack of originality and coherence.

Overall, Arena Breakout: Infinite is a solid entry in the tactical shooter genre, providing a user-friendly experience with room for growth. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy with accessibility, ABI might just be your next extraction point.

Score: 7.1/10