SYNTHETIK: Arena is a free-to-play action game for PC made by Flow Fire Games. It is a standalone expansion release for the roguelite top-down shooter, SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising. In it, players will take on various tough challenges and enemies using an array of different weapons.

Compared to, SYNTHETIK and SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising, SYNTHETIK: Arena brings improved gunplay mechanics and a slew of new weapons to try out. It also picks up where the previous release left off. Players are trapped in their subconscious and the only way out is to survive the challenges from a machine god.

Wrath of the machine god

In SYNTHETIK: Arena, the Last Defender of the oppressive Machine Legions has finally been defeated. However, this has also resulted in you getting thrown into the subconscious of your Android prototype mind. The only way for you to get out is to face the challenges of the mysterious machine god called Zir and survive through the whole ordeal. Thus, begin your fight in the arena.

The unique gun reloading mechanic that was introduced in the first games has made its way to this one, with some added tweaks and improvements. You also need to be mindful of various factors like weapon overheating and jamming, as well as how your movement and ammo type affect recoil and aiming accuracy. Just keep it cool and assess the situation as they unfold.

If things get a bit too much, you can opt for online two-player co-op to ask a buddy to help you out. Given the dozens of different weapons, items, and perks available, you can devise a strategy that will work best and complement each other's playstyles. In its attempt to improve gunplay, though, the game introduced a steep learning curve that newcomers might have a hard time with.

Step up to the challenge

Overall, SYNTHETIK: Arena is a nice standalone expansion and addition to the game series. It brings the same fast-paced and engaging gameplay that fans love while tweaking the mechanics to improve them even further. However, that venture has increased its difficulty quite a bit. Stick with it, and you'll be mastering your weapons soon enough. It's a new release that is worth giving a try.