Exploring a Post-Apocalyptic Earth
I’ve been looking forward to SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada from Game Studio and Bandai Namco ever since I took in a beta back in 2024. Given that, even then, the gameplay was pretty locked in, have the developers used the intervening time to polish the graphics and buff the game to an even higher sheen?
Well, the only way to find that out is to play, so with the due sense of dread and trepidation I set foot on a ruined Earth. Come and hold my hand, why don’t you?

Now, I guess we should start with the story, as I’ve already mentioned a destroyed Earth. You see, in the year 2222, humanity, what is left of it, pretty much lives underground. The reason? A blue rain called “The Tears of the New Moon”, which fell many years ago and killed the majority of people living in the world. The survivors quickly moved underground, building a city called Amasia, and in this subterranean paradise they started to rebuild. Expeditions were sent to the surface in protective mechs called Cradlecoffins, allowing people to bring back crystals from above – AO Crystals.
Drifters and Enders: SYNDUALITY’s Factions and Foes
These crystals quickly became very important, and the Drifters that fetched them, became valuable members of society. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and for some reason Amasia collapsed, both literally and figuratively, and from the wreckage a new generation of Drifters arose. And this is where we come in!
Of course, the game wouldn’t be as simple as that, and the rain has caused some creatures to mutate or be created, it’s not exactly clear. Known as “Enders”, they roam the land above and are more than happy to take a few moments out of their day to chew the metal arse of a Cradlecoffin. Yep, danger is most definitely present, and that’s not to mention rogue Cradlecoffin pilots who prey on others…
A World of Beauty and Blemishes
With the scene set, let’s have a look at the presentation of SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada – and here the news is mixed.
I’m going to start with the bad and there’s no doubting that there is an awful lot of pop-in found within the game, with trees and plants suddenly appearing as you approach. I don’t expect to see this in a modern game, and the effect is pretty jarring. There are also the usual camera issues that seem to populate any third person game, and while trying to rotate the camera it gets stuck in a wall or shows us the inside of our Cradlecoffin, which isn’t helpful when trying to fight a fast moving Ender.

From Garage to Glory: SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada’s Gameplay Loop
However, if we choose to focus on the positives, SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada gets much better.
The world above is huge, split into two separate zones. The North zone is the “easy” section, where PvP combat is frowned upon and you really only have to worry about the wildlife, while the South area is billed as “Brutal PvP area”; needless to say, I didn’t spend much time there.
The world actually looks good, with vistas as far as you can see (as long as they don’t involve trees) and a good weather cycle to keep an eye on. The rain won’t kill you straight away, but it does eat away at the Cradlecoffin, so finding shelter is usually a good plan.
Further to that, the sounds of the wildlife and other Cradlecoffins, as well as the noises of our giant stampy metal feet and oversized weaponry are all very good indeed, whilst the voice over work by the cast is top notch. Alongside the world above, the rest of our time is spent in the garage, our home base, and here the design again is more than decent. All in all, a mixed bag, but honestly, the good outweighs the bad. Mostly.
Gameplay comes with a definite loop. We have a garage in which our Cradlecoffin sits, alongside our Magus, a humanoid android who can help with mission completion. The Magus can be chosen at the start of the game, male or female, and of various personality types which then affects the skills they have. I chose the skill that heals the Cradlecoffin when out and about, as it has come in very handy, but there are others that have combat skills and a few more.
Magus and Missions
With the Magus ready, they stick themselves in the back of the Cradlecoffin, projecting an image of themselves into the air to accompany us. They have a range of skills, such as being able to detect the AO crystals we need to harvest, as well as helping put together a wish list of junk you need to grab. When your Magus sees an item on the wish list, it will mark it on the map, and in this way you can grab the things you need to upgrade the garage.
Of course, the other thing you need is to earn money, and the AO crystals are key to this. When you return from a mission on the surface, the crystals you bring back are sold, the profits added to your bank. With upgraded weapons and cradle parts being pretty expensive, alongside all the consumables you need, such as ammo and repair kits, it can be an expensive business being a drifter!

Crafting, Combat, and Cooperation
Upgrading the garage brings perks with it, such as a crafting station that creates various things, as long as you have the bits, of course. Take a repair kit – you need to find 5 pieces of green beryl on the surface in order to make them, so keep your eyes peeled. There is a seemingly endless amount of things to not only build, but to upgrade once they are built, and so this isn’t going to be a game that you will get bored of easily. And that is the beauty of this gameplay loop; every sortie is different, whether it be in starting location, the quests that you receive from various interested parties, or the amount of enemies you will find. The Enders also get stronger when it rains, so bear that in mind…
Going out with a fixed plan in mind usually results in a bad outcome, so a degree of flexibility is required. Many times I’ve thought “I must go to the Training Area” and then appear on the surface about as far as it is possible to be, and by the time I’ve fought my way there, I’m maxing out my cargo capacity and have to go back. Finding the elevators to return can also be a bit of a mission, so keep an eye on the map and set waypoints.
Some jolly cooperation is also possible in SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada, and when you see another Cradlecoffin out in the wild, you can approach the pilot with a handy set of emotes that your Magus can pull off. You can even team up and go on missions together, but you may find that many are a bit wary…I did accidentally kill another player (totally not my fault, he looked like a bandit I had just been fighting) and my standing in the Association took a hit because of it. When someone without a spotless reputation is spotted, your Magus will be sure to tell you, so pay attention to what they say.

A Compelling and Addictive Adventure with Minor Flaws
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada isn’t perfect, but rarely does a game grab the player and refuse to let go like this one does. ”Just one more sortie” my brain whispers at midnight, and with the ever present danger of being destroyed on the surface, losing the Cradlecoffin and all loot, the gameplay cycle is extremely compelling.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find some work gloves so my Magus can finish mending the floor…
Your Links
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada: Dive into a Dystopian Future of Mech Combat and Survival – https://www.thexboxhub.com/synduality-echo-of-ada-dive-into-a-dystopian-future-of-mech-combat-and-survival/
Synduality: Echo of Ada – Impressions from a CRADLECOFFIN! – https://www.thexboxhub.com/synduality-echo-of-ada-impressions-from-a-cradlecoffin/
SYNDUALITY announced for Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/synduality-announced-for-xbox-series-xs-ps5-and-pc/
Buy SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/synduality-echo-of-ada/9mzb0jz08tkr
Sorry Paul i played this Game over 60 Hours.. play it with a Level 1 Mech than u have now really fun…
At First XP to low, Prices to High for Crafting, then u lost ur Edition Mech forever… Performance bad. And Damage etc full unbalanced. U cant destroy a High Class Mech. And now the Bounty Targets Hunt Newcomer. Nice Nice.. how long u played this Game two hours this Review is a Joke.
Until last night I didn’t recognise the description of the game you mad, as all through the review period everyone was nice. However, last night I was wrecked by the same guy 4 times,who was in the beginner area wrecking everyone. As usual, it’s not the game it’s some of the players that ruin things.
So yeah, player base is an issue.