There’s a new hero shooter on the scene called Project Ethos, but with so many new options out there, is it even worth your attention?
2024 was a big year for shooter titles. From XDefiant to Deadlock, the genre is flush with options. Just when it seems like there’s no room for more, 2K steps in with Project Ethos. Project Ethos is a new free-to-play third-person hero shooter that blends extraction gameplay with roguelike elements. At its core, the game revolves around its extraction mode. On October 18, 2K Games released an official gameplay trailer along with the first public playtest for Project Ethos, but some fans are skeptical. At first glance, Project Ethos feels like a mashup of every shooter we’ve seen before, and it doesn’t seem to offer a surprising twist that sets it apart.
Even if the trailer doesn’t grab gamers’ attention, there’s still much to learn about the upcoming title.
Fans of Fortnite and PUBG may enjoy Project Ethos, as its gameplay is more similar to the 2019 battle royale than new releases like XDefiant or Deadlock in terms of gameplay.
Project Ethos is a hero extraction shooter with some roguelike elements sprinkled in. Its primary mode, Trails, also features PvE challenges, so the game doesn’t lose its competitive edge. Each hero comes with unique abilities, so when things get tough, you’ll be grateful for the roguelike buffs that enhance those abilities. Without the hero-specific power-ups, it could easily be mistaken for a 2024 version of Fortnite.
It’s important to note that these buffs are completely random, making pre-strategizing impossible. However, with a total of nine power-ups available in a single game, playing one hero long enough allows for some long-term planning. The only uncertainty is when each power-up will be received. Success depends on luck and what buffs happen to appear during gameplay. This, and random events that spawn across the map do add a fun twist to Project Ethos. Completing these events rewards players with a large loot chest containing bigger XP boosts, weapon enhancements, and cores for faster power-up access.
Players can enter the Project Ethos playtest for free from October 17 to 20 via Twitch drops.
This is likely one of the initial playtests, as the developer has hinted at “future playtest opportunities” in the official blog. The Project Ethos Playtest is restricted to players in the following countries.
To enter the Project Ethos playtest, watch any streamer playing the game with drops enabled. This is typically mentioned in the title of the stream. After earning a key in drop, claim it on the official Project Ethos website to enter the playtest.
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