Are you ready to dive into the explosive action of The Finals and help shape the game before its official release? The Finals is an upcoming free-to-play PvP first-person shooter that pits players against each other in dynamic arenas with fully destructible environments. With the closed beta now underway, players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S have the chance to get an early look at this highly anticipated title. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started in The Finals beta and come out on top.
What is The Finals?
Developed by Embark Studios, a team of industry veterans from DICE, Ubisoft, and Respawn, The Finals is a hero-based, skill-based FPS that aims to shake up the competitive shooter genre. In the game‘s fiction, you are a contestant on a popular game show where you must battle other players in a variety of arena-style maps to earn fame and fortune. What sets The Finals apart is its emphasis on environmental destruction and creative gameplay.
Using an array of futuristic weapons and gadgets, you can blast through walls, collapse structures, and create new paths to outmaneuver your opponents. The arenas are designed to be endlessly replayable, with each match unfolding differently based on how players choose to interact with and manipulate the environment. Whether you‘re a run-and-gun type or a more strategic player, The Finals offers plenty of room for different playstyles to shine.
Under the hood, The Finals is powered by Embark‘s in-house EmbarkEngine, a cutting-edge game engine built from the ground up for large-scale destruction and physics-based interactions. The developers have also invested heavily in server infrastructure and netcode to ensure a smooth, responsive experience for players around the world.
As Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund explains, "With The Finals, we wanted to create a shooter that rewards creativity and strategic thinking as much as quick reflexes. By giving players the tools to shape the battlefield, we‘re opening up new dimensions of gameplay that simply aren‘t possible in other shooters."
How to Access The Finals Beta
To get into The Finals closed beta, you‘ll need to sign up on the official website at https://www.thefinalsgame.com/. Click the "Sign Up" button and follow the prompts to create an Embark account or log in with your existing account. Once you‘re logged in, you can link your Steam, PSN, or Xbox Live account and select your preferred platform.
Embark is sending out beta access in waves, so don‘t be discouraged if you don‘t get in right away. Keep an eye on your email for an invite, and be sure to check your spam folder just in case. If you do get selected, you‘ll receive instructions on how to download and install the beta client on your chosen platform.
According to Embark, over 500,000 players have already signed up for the beta, with the first wave of invites going out to a diverse group of players from different regions and skill levels. The developers are using a combination of random selection and targeted invites to ensure a healthy mix of players in each beta session.
System Requirements (PC)
To run The Finals beta on PC, your rig will need to meet the following minimum and recommended specs:
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | 64-bit Windows 10 | 64-bit Windows 10/11 |
| CPU | Intel i5-3570k / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i7-8700k / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 570 | Nvidia RTX 2070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband Internet | Broadband Internet |
| Storage | 35 GB HDD | 35 GB SSD |
Gameplay Basics
If you‘ve played other competitive FPS games like Counter-Strike or Call of Duty, a lot of the core gameplay in The Finals will feel familiar. You move with WASD, sprint with Shift, jump with Space, crouch with Ctrl, and so on. The game features a standard arsenal of weapons (assault rifles, shotguns, snipers) along with some more specialized firearms and gadgets that lean into the sci-fi theme.
However, The Finals introduces several unique mechanics that give the gameplay its own distinct flavor, as design director Daniel Berlin explains:
"We really wanted to push the boundaries of what‘s possible in a competitive shooter. Destruction is obviously a big part of that – the ability to reshape the map and create your own paths is huge for tactical play. But it‘s also about giving players more creative tools to express themselves and showcase their skills. Whether it‘s grappling onto a collapsing building or using a force field to block off a chokepoint, there are so many new gameplay possibilities to discover."
The core of The Finals‘ gameplay revolves around the three main Operator classes: Assault, Support, and Engineer. Each class has its own unique gadget and playstyle:
- Assault: Front-line fighters equipped with heavy armor and a guard rail for portable cover. Ideal for leading the charge and holding down key positions.
- Support: Agile scouts who can deploy a zipline to quickly reposition themselves and their team. Excel at flanking and securing objectives.
- Engineer: Tech specialists armed with a building repair gun to fortify structures and lock down areas. Crucial for shoring up defenses and creating strongpoints.
Within each class, you can further customize your loadout with different weapons, attachments, and perks to suit your playstyle. The game also features a dynamic perk system that rewards you with temporary buffs for achieving certain feats in-match, such as securing a multi-kill or capturing an objective.
Environmental Destruction
Destruction is far from a gimmick in The Finals – it‘s a fundamental part of the gameplay experience. Every structure in the game can be destroyed with enough firepower, from small props and cover objects to entire buildings and bridges. This creates a constantly shifting battlefield where no two matches play out the same way.
As a player, you need to be constantly aware of your surroundings and adapt your tactics on the fly. A well-placed rocket can open up new lines of sight or seal off a key route. A collapsing building can be used to crush enemies or create an impromptu barricade. The possibilities are endless, and the game rewards creative thinking and quick reflexes in equal measure.
"In playtests, we‘ve seen players pull off some absolutely wild stunts with the destruction," says Berlin. "There was one match where a player used a grenade to collapse a tower onto the enemy team as they were trying to capture a point. Another time, a player grappled onto a falling billboard and rode it down to get the drop on an enemy sniper. The level of creativity and skill on display is just mind-blowing."
To keep things balanced, Embark has implemented a dynamic map evolution system that gradually rebuilds destroyed structures over the course of a match. This prevents the arenas from being reduced to rubble and ensures that there are always fresh opportunities for tactical play.
Weapons, Gadgets & Vehicles
The Finals features an impressive array of futuristic weaponry and gadgets to master. In addition to the standard FPS fare, each Operator class has access to unique equipment that can turn the tide of battle.
Some of the standout gadgets include:
- Grappling Hook: A high-speed mobility tool that lets you quickly scale buildings and swing across gaps. Perfect for getting the drop on enemies or escaping sticky situations.
- Hologram: Deploy a lifelike holographic decoy to distract and confuse opponents. Can be used to bait out shots or lure enemies into traps.
- Force Field: Generate an impenetrable energy barrier to block off doors, windows, or entire corridors. Useful for locking down chokepoints or protecting objectives.
The game also features a selection of futuristic vehicles that add an extra layer of tactical depth to the gameplay. These range from nimble hoverbikes to heavily armed gunships, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Mastering vehicle combat is key to dominating the larger maps and securing key objectives.
Progression & Customization
The Finals features a deep progression system that rewards players for their time and performance. As you play, you‘ll earn XP and level up your account, unlocking access to new weapons, gadgets, and perks.
The game also features a robust cosmetic customization system, with hundreds of skins, emotes, and other vanity items to collect. These can be earned through gameplay or purchased with real money through the in-game store. Embark has promised that all gameplay-affecting items will be earnable through play and that there will be no pay-to-win mechanics.
Esports & Content Creation
With its emphasis on skill-based gameplay and high skill ceiling, The Finals seems primed to make a splash in the competitive esports scene. Embark has already announced partnerships with several major esports organizations, and there are plans for a global tournament circuit with significant prize pools.
The game‘s destructible environments and physics-based gameplay also make it a natural fit for content creation and streaming. Early beta footage has already generated buzz on Twitch and YouTube, with top streamers praising the game‘s fresh take on the FPS formula.
As Söderlund notes, "We see The Finals as more than just a game – it‘s a platform for players to showcase their creativity and build their own stories. Whether you‘re a competitive player looking to make a name for yourself or a content creator looking for the next big thing, The Finals has something to offer."
Community & Social Features
Beyond the core gameplay, The Finals is also looking to foster a strong sense of community among its players. The game features deep social integration, with built-in tools for forming clans, organizing tournaments, and connecting with friends across platforms.
Embark has also hinted at plans for user-generated content tools that will allow players to create and share their own maps, modes, and cosmetic items. Combined with robust spectator tools and a theater mode for replaying matches, The Finals has the potential to become a true social hub for FPS fans.
"We want The Finals to be more than just a game you play for a few hours and then move on from," says Berlin. "We want it to be a place where players can come together, form lasting friendships, and really express themselves. Whether you‘re teaming up with friends for a casual session or competing in a high-stakes tournament, we want The Finals to feel like a home away from home."
Final Thoughts
With its unique blend of destructible environments, hero shooter mechanics, and physics-based gameplay, The Finals is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and innovative shooters in years. By letting players truly shape the battlefield and express their creativity in combat, it has the potential to redefine what‘s possible in the genre.
Of course, the game still has a long way to go before it can truly live up to its potential. As with any online multiplayer title, balancing and bug-fixing will be an ongoing process, and Embark will need to work closely with the community to refine the game post-launch.
But if the closed beta is any indication, The Finals is off to an incredibly strong start. With a solid gameplay foundation, a passionate community, and a clear vision for the future, it has all the makings of a true breakthrough hit.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the beta, jump into the fray, and see for yourself why The Finals is one of the most hotly anticipated shooters of the year. Who knows – you might just be the next big thing in esports.
