Arknights Endfield 1.3 finds the calm that settled on Wuling after Nefarith’s defeat disturbed when Mi Fu (Rao Zijun, Honkai Star Rail) discovers that Viceroy Zhuang Fangyi (Molly Zhang, Daemons of the Shadow Realm) is missing. A threatening letter connected to the Captain of the Watch’s past sends her and The Endministrator (Chloe Eves, Zenless Zone Zero) off to Quigbo Stockade to rescue Wuling’s leader. But all is not as it seems.
Mi Fu’s history with both Quigbo Stockade and Fangyi has been heavily hinted at since the game first introduced the character in 1.0. Why she left the Stockade for its long-time rival, as well as where her unwavering devotion to Fangyi comes from, have been left floating in the ether until now.
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How Arknights Endfield 1.3 peels back the layers of Mi Fu’s history, interlacing it beautifully with the conflict that plays out in the modern day. As figures from her past challenge her commitments and resolve, she lays bare her history to The Endmin, letting her full past be known.
Detailed work is found in the story and characters in Arknights Endfield 1.3.
This narrative comes to feel like a classic Kung Fu story in a Sci-Fi setting. Mi Fu’s training, her oaths, and loyalties all clash together as she overcomes the obstacles set before her. Despite the regret she has for some of the fights she must wage, her unwavering devotion to Fangyi and Wuling provides an unflinching focal point for the character.
The writing that delivers the most intimate moments in Arknights Endfield 1.3’s story is the star of the update. The personalities of each character and how they play off each other are excellently laid out by the writing and picked up wonderfully by the voice actors. The familiarity among the various characters feels wholly authentic, adding an extra layer of emotional weight as interactions unfold.
The care and detail live not just in the writing, but also in the visual presentation. Sequences like The Endmin and Mi Fu sparring come together beautifully. The purpose Mi Fu derives from what she does, and the importance she finds in standing up for her Fangyi and her new home, infuse these moments with a sense of awe for Mi Fu’s strength and dedication.
Despite being a great character to play, Mi Fu’s final battle lacks impact.
While there is a lot to love in Mi Fu’s story, there are some choices that feel questionable. The ultimate reason why the central character is forced on this journey doesn’t manage to fully land. It provides an unexpected twist, even after it makes it clear that something is up, but that twist undercuts much of the dramatic weight the story builds up through the update.
The other element that hampers the ending is Mi Fu’s final battle. When the last challenger is placed before her, the bout plays out through cinematics only. This robs the player of the agency typically expected in video games as they watch the final clash play out.
Despite feeling slightly unfulfilling due to the removal of gameplay from the moment, the cinematic itself is gorgeous. The portrayal of the skills Mi Fu and her opponent wield is excellently done.
Patience pays off in learning Mi Fu’s set of skills.
The tencacity and composure seen as blows are thrown, parried, and countered deliver the impact and fluidity one expects from two martial masters clashing. If only it could’ve played out after a proper boss encounter.
Despite not being able to control the character during her climactic moment, Mi Fu still feels great to play. Her powerful blend of greatsword and gauntlet attacks looks great and delivers strong feedback that emphasizes the character’s raw power. Her focus on physical vulnerability gives her lots of teammate options. From free-to-play mainstays like Chen to more premium options like Rossi, there is a plethora of builds in which Mi Fu can find a home.
Her ability set also provides some opportunity for skill expression. Using Mi Fu’s full, multistage battle skill can greatly impact how much value you get from it. Having the patience to set her up will pay off for players who take the time to truly learn her move set and pay attention to the enemy’s state to know when to unleash her biggest hits.
Arknights Endfield 1.3 delivers a heartfelt and grounded follow-up.
Arknights Endfield 1.3’s second story follows The Endministrator and Chen (Rebecca Hanssen, Stellar Blade) as they explore a recently unearthed vault that is fabled to house lost tech and weapons from the Terran Age of Humanity. The story here is lighthearted and delivers a solid message about what is worth preserving and what society should value most.
The story here takes a back seat to the gameplay. Some fun exploration shakes up the familiar gameplay that Arknights Endfield has established. Boulder dodging and inconveniently placed banana peels create some entertaining, if fairly easy challenges. A couple of new enemy types also bring some freshness to the gameplay, providing both small swarms and large foes for players to tackle.
Arknights Endfield 1.3 manages to follow up the big battles of its predecessor with a more down-to-earth tale that focuses on heart and character. While there are a few stumbles in the story’s handling, it lands enough of its punches to get a passing grade.
Arknights: Endfield is available now for mobile, PC, and PlayStation 5.
