Project Ethos: A New Contender in Hero Extraction Shooters

Project Ethos, a free-to-play third-person hero extraction shooter, has officially been unveiled by 31st Union, marking the studio’s first major release since its formation in 2019. With its incorporation of roguelike elements, Project Ethos aims to offer a unique gaming experience to players in the competitive shooter genre.

At the heart of Project Ethos is its extraction mode, designed to blend traditional shooter mechanics with strategic planning and survival aspects. However, despite its ambitious goals, early impressions suggest that the game may not deliver significantly innovative features in the genre. “Project Ethos is fine as a game,” stated an early reviewer, “but it seems to fall short of delivering anything that’s truly genre-defying.”

Players can choose from six different heroes, each equipped with unique abilities and weapons. This design philosophy encourages players to become proficient with their chosen character’s abilities, which serve as a secondary support to the primary weapon gameplay. The game is accessible, with a low learning curve, making it newcomer-friendly.

The Trials mode introduces a combination of player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) dynamics, featuring persistent matches where players can encounter more experienced foes. As players navigate the map, they collect XP by defeating NPCs and completing events that offer substantial rewards like power-ups. These power-ups contribute to the game’s roguelike elements, allowing players to develop their characters progressively throughout a match.

Furthermore, Project Ethos includes a secondary mode called Gauntlet, a competitive format placing players in a 3v3v3v3 scenario. Unlike Trials, Gauntlet doesn’t offer an escape option, challenging players to rely heavily on their abilities and teamwork. Although the competitive format received praise, it also highlighted potential imbalances among characters, particularly the sniper character, Prism, whose abilities are notably potent.

The community playtest of Project Ethos is actively recruiting players from North America and Europe to participate in its development phase. Interested players can join by engaging with streamers on Twitch between October 17 and 20, 2024. Participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and various European countries will have the opportunity to experience the game firsthand.

Despite its enjoyment and strategic elements, some reviewers have noted that Project Ethos feels similar to existing games in the market and lacks unique innovations that would set it apart. Comparisons have been drawn to established titles like Fortnite, indicating room for improvement in distinguishing its mechanics. Overall, while Project Ethos shows potential, its early reception suggests a need for further refinement to captivate the gaming community.