Arknights: Endfield shifts the tower defense formula of its predecessor into a 3D action RPG with factory simulation on the hostile planet Talos-II. Released worldwide on January 22, 2026, for PC, PS5, iOS, and Android, it garnered over 35 million pre-registrations but faces criticism for repetitive combat post-launch.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Players control the Endministrator leading Endfield Industries, exploring semi-open zones plagued by Aggeloi creatures and the corruptive Blight. Combat features real-time action with a four-character squad, seamless switching, and shared skill gauges for tactical skills, combos, and ultimates. Basic attacks build enemy imbalance for stuns and executions, while perfect dodges recover SP, demanding precise timing.
Exploration involves structured maps with ziplines, power relays, and outposts to unlock traversal and resources. The standout factory system mimics Factorio, where players mine ores via ziplines, route via conveyors, manage power, and automate production for gear and progression. This creates a hypnotic loop of optimization, blending 50% RPG with 50% simulation, though early builds felt clunky.
Tower defense returns minimally in endgame modes, integrating with squad combat for hybrid challenges. Daily loops include stamina-gated missions, but generous rewards from codes like ENDFIELDGIFT ease grinding.
Story and World-Building
Set 200 years after Arknights on Talos-II—a moon colonized via Æthergate from Terra—humanity battles Catastrophes, Aggeloi, and Landbreakers raiders. As Endministrator, you awaken to rebuild under Perlica, with allies like Angelina from Rhodes Island, uncovering ruins amid Originium Arts.
The space opera narrative explores survival and colonization, but reviews note exposition-heavy pacing and stiff animations in cutscenes. Character designs shine with high-quality models, and themes of progress versus peril add depth, though story stakes feel underdeveloped early.
Gacha and Monetization
Endfield is free-to-play with dual banners: characters (pity at 80 pulls, hard pity 120 for rate-up) and weapons, sharing currency like T-Creds and Oroberyl. Launch banners featured strong starters, with Phase 3 adding Yvonne (Cryo attacker) by late February 2026. Loss forgiveness drops pity on 50/50 fails, making it player-friendly compared to peers.
Premium income draws flak at 4/10 in betas, but pre-launch hype and codes mitigate F2P barriers. Progression ties gacha to factory output, reducing pure RNG reliance.
| Feature | Details | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Pity | 80 soft, 120 hard | Generous guarantees | Separate weapon banner |
| Currency Economy | T-Creds, Oroberyl shared | Factory automates farming | Low daily premium |
| Launch Rewards | 35M pre-reg milestones | Free pulls, items | Power creep risk |
Production values impress: stellar soundtrack, vibrant anime-style designs, and cinematic cutscenes rival top gachas. Factory building satisfies automation fans, with zipline networks and tech trees offering endless tweaking. Combat synergies shine in endgame, where chaining afflictions and staggers create depth.
Beta testers logged 80-100+ hours praising exploration's progression and base satisfaction. Launch peaked high, with codes boosting retention into February 2026.
High-fidelity 3D models and rigging
Hypnotic factory loops for passive progress
Cross-platform play (PC/PS5/mobile)
Ambitious sci-fi lore tying to Arknights
Criticisms and Weaknesses
Post-launch reviews highlight repetitive enemy sponges, tedious chapter 1 fights (20+ hours of similar mobs), and janky traversal—no gliding or climbing. Combat feels slow despite refinements, lacking power fantasy even at max gear.
UI/QOL scores 6.5/10 with over-tutorialization; story drags at 4/10. Gacha giants overshadow it, with menial tasks and shallow endgame. Player counts for original Arknights hovered ~500K monthly pre-Endfield, suggesting retention challenges.
In January 2026, Endfield suits Arknights fans craving base-building in a gacha RPG—strong launch visuals and factory depth make it free worth trying. Regular patches (e.g., Yvonne banner Feb 2026) and codes sustain F2P viability.
Skip if seeking deep combat or story; repetitive elements and market saturation hinder longevity. With 2026 updates potentially addressing tedium, it's promising for automation enthusiasts but not revolutionary. Dive in for the sci-fi twist if gacha-tolerant; otherwise, watch player trends.
