It’s Time To Give For Honor A Second Chance

Ubisoft’s For Honor hasn’t had an easy ride since launching back in February. Despite its fantastic combat system, server issues and the waning player base have crippled what is by far one of the most unique multiplayer games of the current console generation. That said, there’s a long road ahead for the game and Ubisoft continues to keep For Honor’s “Faction War” afloat with live events and free content alongside regular patches and updates.

Polishing of my halberd, I was keen to jump back in after a two-month hiatus and see what had changed. There was a worry there, having spent so long away, that I’d need to spend ages reintegrating myself, digesting tutorial videos and tip guides, but that wasn’t the case. For Honor is surprisingly approachable in that way – once you’ve nailed the basics, there’s nothing stopping you from going toe to toe with more seasoned players.

Of course, there are those who never left For Honor’s war torn lands after the game’s launch, continuing to hone their combat skills while others simply lost interest and moved on. Just when I started to feel like a big fish once more, it would only take a couple rounds with these hardened vets to put me back in my place.

In a game where beatdowns are brutal, landslide victories common, and taunts so delicious, you’re going to have rage quitters – For Honor’s biggest problem. The thing is that when a player decides to throw in the towel, there’s a chance the multiplayer session will crash, booting everyone back to lobby. Courageous feats are forgotten and all experience points wiped from the slate. You also have to think, from the perspective of the rage quitter, as there’s bound to be some added satisfaction for them, knowing they can ruin someone’s fun by pulling the plug.

A lot of  this is down to For Honor’s unconventional approach to matchmaking and hosting, but these issues have marred Ubisoft’s bold new IP and, what’s worse, they did little to fix these rather fundamental issues until recently.

Only last week, a penalty for prematurely quitting a match was added to the game. Being slapped with a ten-minute server ban (that extends to party members if you are the leader) the effects of this new punishment are already noticeable.

Before patch 1.08, around half of all 4v4 matches I entered would crash due to rage quitters or the odd player with a dodgy connection. Since the penalty was introduced, I’ve definitely been enjoying myself much more. Given how simple of a change this was, it’s baffling Ubisoft wasn’t quicker on the draw, especially as players began to lose interest.

That said, Ubisoft has yet to stamp out the problem entirely. Ideally, the online infrastructure needs an overhaul, though it’s unlikely this will happen unless Ubisoft are planning something similar to what it’s currently doing with Rainbow Six Siege. Having suffered from similar connectivity issues, that game won’t be getting a new season of content until the server tech been improved.

Aside from kickstarting another round of For Honor’s Faction War metagame, For Honor’s second season dubbed “Shadow & Might” brings two new heroes to this realm of unending war. In a nutshell, they’re both complex yet deadly fighters and both add a surprisingly amount of diversity.

First up with the Shinobi, For Honor’s fastest and most versatile assassin. With a chain sickle in hand, this agile fighter can harass his opponents from afar, biting into their health bar nibble by nibble before diving in with a combo attack. He’s a nimble little fella and, in the right hands, can run circles around slower heroes in a flurry or stun kicks and dodges. With a double sprint, he excels in chasing down wounded combatants and running to the aid of allies. The only downside to playing the Shinobi is the moderate learning curve and low health. If clipped by a heavy attack, it’s gonna hurt.

The Centurion is similarly complex, requiring a few sessions in the practice yard to nail the basics. Compared to the other heroes he can look a bit out of place. His aesthetic doesn’t quite match up to the other warriors in the Knights faction, but there’s something else too. Unlike his fellow combatants he wields a weapon in one hand, leaving the other completely empty. However, when clenched into a fist, it becomes one of the game’s most deadly weapons. By chaining slashes and lunges with jabs from his fist, the Centurion can stun his opponents while depleting both their health and stamina. Landing a fully charged punch will floor an opponent, exposing them to an unblockable jumping attack. He’s a bully, in other words, and has quickly become the top pick of experienced players.

For Honor has certainly improved in the past couple of weeks yet there are still some lingering concerns. Aside from connectivity issues, one of our biggest concerns has been content. While new maps and heroes are great, what For Honor really needs right now is another objective-based game mode. Currently there is only one – Dominion – and it’s hugely popular among players. That said, fans are desperate for something different and something a little more dynamic than simply capturing control points. It’ll be no easy task for Ubisoft Montreal – this is a fighting game at its core – though For Honor could benefit from some experimentation.

Although some have prematurely written off For Honor, in truth this is only just the beginning for the game. As we’ve seen with Ghost Recon Wildlands, Steep, The Division, The Crew, and the aforementioned Rainbow Six Siege, it joins a small host of “live” games Ubisoft continues to support long after release. Of all these games, I believe For Honor is perhaps the most deserving. Servers issues, hero balance, and content issues aside, this is a bold blend of genres that will only get better as times goes on.