The Finals Review: Why This Free FPS Dominates Steam Charts

Why The Finals Is Revolutionizing Free FPS Games

As a competitive FPS analyst who tested both closed and open betas, I understand why players question if new shooters offer anything fresh. The Finals solves this by blending Battlefield's destruction with unique game show chaos. Launching stealthily at The Game Awards, it rocketed to #5 on Steam with 200,000+ daily players. After 50+ hours across beta and launch, I confirm this isn't just hype. Its free-to-play model on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S delivers what most paid shooters lack: true innovation.

Core Mechanics: Objective-Based Mayhem

Forget battle royale. The Finals' Cash Out mode forces tactical teamwork. Here's how it works:

Locate Vaults: Teams fight to claim vaults first
Transport Cash: Move the cash box to extraction zones
Defend Deposits: Protect the cashout for 2+ minutes amid attacks

Environmental destruction changes everything. Blow up staircases to block paths, glue barriers to seal doors, or ignite propane tanks found in arenas. Combine this with:

Recon scanners spotting enemies
Turrets locking down angles
Game-changing destruction physics (walls collapse realistically)

This creates dynamic matches where no two rounds play alike. Movement feels fluid too—slide-hopping between cover while coordinating with voice chat is essential.

Mastering The Finals' Classes and Loadouts

Based on my loadout tests, class choice dramatically impacts playstyle. All gear unlocks through gameplay—zero pay-to-win mechanics.

Light Build: Speed and Stealth

Health: 150 HP (fragile but agile)
Weapons: SMGs, sniper rifles, throwing knives
Abilities: Grappling hook, cloaking, dash
Best For: Flanking, hit-and-run tactics. Use cloaking to steal cashouts undetected.

Medium Build: The Balanced Support

Health: 250 HP (versatile all-rounder)
Weapons: AKM, riot shield, revolver
Abilities: Healing beam, turrets, recon senses
Pro Tip: Healing beam turns teammates into tanks. Pair with heavies during defenses.

Heavy Build: The Walking Tank

Health: 350 HP (slow but devastating)
Weapons: Flamethrowers, machine guns, grenade launchers
Abilities: RPGs, barricades, dome shields
Key Strength: One RPG shot destroys environments or kills Lights instantly. Anchor your team during cashouts.

Class Balance Verdict: After 30+ tournament matches, all builds feel viable. Lights dominate solo plays, Heavies control objectives, Mediums enable team synergy.

New Content, Performance, and Future Outlook

Since beta, Embark Studios (founded by ex-Battlefield devs) added critical upgrades:

Vegas Night Map: Hurricane effects and neon-lit destruction
Bank It Mode: Faster-paced TDM with instant respawns
Tournament Mode: Ranked play requiring level unlocks
Visual Variety: Dynamic weather/day cycles across 4 maps

Performance improved significantly. On my RTX 3070 Ti:

Beta: 80-90 FPS (Low Settings)
Launch: 130-140 FPS (Medium Settings)

Server issues plagued day one but stabilized post-patch. The 8.7GB install size remains impressively small.

Potential Challenges and Longevity

The elephant in the room? Cheaters. Like most free FPS games, aimbots emerged early. However, Embark's rapid patches show commitment. Future success hinges on:

Regular anti-cheat updates
New maps every season
Gadget balancing (e.g., recon sensors need tuning)

My Prediction: If content updates match Season 1's quality, The Finals could dethrone established shooters. Its destruction mechanics create emergent gameplay no other title replicates.

Your Action Plan for Dominating The Finals

Download Immediately: Free on Steam, PS5, Xbox
Start with Medium Class: Master support roles before aggressive builds
Play Cash Out First: Learn objectives before ranked
Use Destruction Tactically: Collapse buildings on cashout points
Join Discord Communities: Find squads via official The Finals Discord

Essential Tools:

Finals Tracker for stats (beginner-friendly)
Steam Workshop maps for aim training (experts)

Which class suits your playstyle best? Share your early experiences below—your insights help new players!

The Finals sets a new standard for free shooters. Its combination of chaos, strategy, and polish justifies the hype. See you in the arena.