The Finals is a free-to-play team-based first-person shooter developed by Embark Studios. Contestants compete in high-stakes matches set within a game show format, where the primary objective revolves around securing and depositing cash boxes to out-earn rival teams. Matches emphasize loadout customization, environmental interaction, and adaptation as arenas shift under pressure.
Gameplay
Players select from three distinct builds before each match: Light for speed and evasion, Medium for team support, and Heavy for durability and impact. Each build pairs with a specialization ability, a primary weapon, and three gadgets to form a complete loadout. New players begin with preset playstyles that introduce core combinations.
Arenas feature extensive destructible elements. Walls, floors, and structures collapse or deform during fights, opening new paths or removing cover. Objects such as cash boxes, elemental canisters, and revive statues can be carried and used strategically. Quick melee attacks allow kicks that displace opponents, while interactions with gas, fire, and other hazards add layers of risk and opportunity. Reviving downed teammates preserves resources, though full team wipes trigger respawn timers that vary by mode.
Game Modes
Cashout serves as the core competitive experience. Up to four teams of three contest vaults that release cash boxes upon opening. Teams transport these boxes to stations for deposit, with the highest total cash determining the winner. Tournament formats include multiple rounds with limited respawn credits in ranked play.
Quick Cash offers a more accessible entry point. Three teams of three compete in a single round focused on one primary vault at a time, with the first to reach twenty thousand dollars or the highest amount at the end claiming victory. Unlimited respawns keep the pace brisk.
Solo Showdown provides a dedicated option for individual play. Twelve solo contestants progress through three rounds of randomized mini-modes, accumulating cash while the lowest scorers are eliminated each round. The format remains in beta testing.
Additional quickplay options rotate regularly and include Point Break for larger eight-versus-eight objective battles, Power Shift for five-versus-five platform escort matches, and Team Deathmatch for elimination-focused five-versus-five encounters where cash rewards eliminations.
Arenas and Environmental Interaction
Maps draw from real-world inspired locations such as Seoul and Monaco alongside fictional sites. Each arena supports variants that alter layouts or introduce hazards, selected before matches begin. Destruction mechanics allow players to reshape the battlefield mid-round, turning static cover into dynamic opportunities or liabilities. This system rewards creative movement and positioning over fixed strategies.
Is It Worth Playing?
The game maintains a Mostly Positive rating on Steam from hundreds of thousands of reviews, reflecting sustained player interest in its destruction-focused combat and objective loops. Regular seasonal updates, including Season 12 titled PRIME TIME launched in October 2026, continue to refine arenas, add modes like Solo Showdown, and adjust balance. As a free-to-play title with no pay-to-win elements, it suits players who enjoy team coordination, loadout experimentation, and matches where the environment itself becomes a variable. Those seeking pure solo deathmatches may find the beta solo mode a partial fit, while groups of three will encounter the strongest emphasis on coordinated cashouts and revives. Active development and cross-progression support ongoing engagement for fans of competitive shooters that prioritize adaptability.
