Critics' consensus
Critics rate Endfield one of the stronger free-to-play gacha RPGs thanks to its combat, factory systems and presentation, with a slow opening and luck-gated progression as the main drawbacks.
Hypergryph's Arknights: Endfield launched on January 22, 2026, and critics landed in the high 70s. The game turns the Arknights tower-defense universe into a real-time action RPG with factory building. Below are the aggregate scores and what reviewers wrote. Vostrike did not review the game itself: this page summarizes published critic reviews, with links to every source.
The scores
| Aggregator | Score | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic (PC) | 78, "Generally Favorable" | 21 critic reviews |
| OpenCritic | 79, "Strong" | 86% of critics recommend it |
| Metacritic user score | 6.1 | 219 user ratings |
Scores checked on October 12, 2026. Aggregates move as reviews come in, so check the source pages for the live figures.
What critics liked
The mix of combat and production chains won most reviewers over. Hardcore Gamer's James Cunningham (4/5) called it "easily one of the best examples of gacha gaming". Push Square's Sammy Barker (8/10) praised "a strong battle system and outstanding PS5 optimisation", and CGMagazine (9/10) went furthest with "a gacha RPG like no other." GameGrin summed up the value case: "a mish-mash of genres that blend well and give you a lot to do for the price of free."
What critics didn't
The opening hours and the monetization take the hits. TheGamer's Harry Alston found "a slow and often tedious experience", and IGN's Sarah Thwaites (7/10) concluded that it "never quite breaks the wheel."
Other recurring complaints:
- gacha progress gates and luck-based team building;
- a thin story that relies on lore;
- combat that some critics want deeper.
Players are cooler than critics: 6.1 on Metacritic, against 78 from reviewers.
Should you play it?
Endfield is free, so trying it costs nothing. Based on the reviews, it rewards players who enjoy optimizing systems, like factory automation and team synergies, and are patient through a slow first few hours. If you dislike gacha pulls deciding your team, the reviews suggest it will frustrate you.
Sources
What critics praised
- Combat blended with factory and automation systems
- Visuals, art direction and sound design
- A lot of content for a free-to-play game
What critics criticized
- Slow, tutorial-heavy start
- Gacha progress gates and luck-based team building
- Thin story that leans on lore; combat some critics find shallow
