Ubisoft’s highly anticipated arena shooter, XDefiant, is gearing up for a potential launch as the game entered another playtest this weekend. However, the latest round of testing has received a mixed reception from players, with some praising the gunplay and mechanics while others criticize persistent technical problems.
XDefiant, first announced in 2021, is a “fast-paced arena shooter that combines intense gunplay with personalized loadouts and specialized factions,” according to Ubisoft’s description. The game has undergone numerous playtests and betas since its reveal, with the developer aiming to gather feedback and stress-test the servers ahead of the official release.
While some players have reported enjoying the game’s gunplay and movement mechanics during this weekend’s playtest, many have voiced concerns over issues such as poor hit registration, sluggish performance, and overpowered weapons.
“XDefiant is just not a good shooter,” one user on Reddit lamented, citing problems with skill-based matchmaking, audio, and netcode – the technology responsible for synchronizing gameplay across the network.
Another player shared a video clip demonstrating the game’s inconsistent hit detection, where they unloaded nearly a full magazine at close range without dealing any damage to the enemy.
“Netcode needs fixing for sure. I’ve been killed through walls way too many times,” the user commented, highlighting the persistent issue of being shot while out of the line of sight.
Despite the criticisms, not all players have had a negative experience. One user praised XDefiant’s gunplay, stating, “Gunplay feels better than CoD’s [Call of Duty] in my opinion. AA [aim assist] doesn’t do all the work for you, you actually have to be able to aim.”
In anticipation of the playtest, Ubisoft released a comprehensive list of known issues and patch notes. Among the changes are new weapon attachment animations, improved sprint animations for pistols, and an accessibility setting for a “dark effect” flashbang alternative.
However, several issues remain unresolved, including Xbox users being unable to see their Xbox friends list, misplaced HUD elements on PlayStation 5, and the player list not updating during matchmaking.
With the playtest running until Sunday, April 21st, Ubisoft is likely using this opportunity to gather additional data and feedback as they prepare for a potential launch in the coming months.
As XDefiant inches closer to release, the mixed reactions from players highlight the challenges Ubisoft faces in delivering a polished and technically sound experience to meet the high expectations set for the game.
