Arknights: Endfield

is a real-time 3D action role-playing game with strategic elements. Unlike the original Arknights, which features tower defense mechanics, Endfield introduces a semi-open world experience with base-building and strategic management elements.

A screenshot of combat in Endfield.

The core mechanism of combat is the combo skill system. Players control a four-member team simultaneously, with the ability to switch between characters during battle, each of which posses unique skills and abilities.^[5] Combat operates through a semi-real-time system where players can switch control between different characters, utilizing skill combinations and tactical coordination to defeat enemies. The system includes multiple attack types: basic attacks, tactical skills, combo skills, and ultimate abilities. Basic attacks are further divided into normal attack, drop attack, dodge pursuit, and execution moves.

The four-member team shares three skill gauges, and any operator can consume one to use a tactical skill. The skill gauges recharge over time, and operators not under direct control perform only basic attacks. Heavy hits from basic attacks can directly add segments to the skill gauge and increase enemy imbalance values. When an enemy's imbalance gauge fills completely, they enter an imbalanced state, taking increased damage and the next heavy attack becomes an execution attack. This imbalanced state lasts temporarily before disappearing, requiring players to re-accumulate imbalance through strategic combat.^[5]

Base building and industrial management

Endfield features a base-building system that combines exploration with resource management and aspects of a factory simulation, similar to those found in games like Factorio or Satisfactory. Players harvest resources from remote mining nodes connected by custom ziplines, refine and process materials at specific machines, and route them through conveyor belts for crafting. The system requires budgeting and routing electricity, assigning inputs and outputs, and managing various ore types.Developers have stated they aim for an 50:50 ratio between RPG elements and factory building portions, but players may customize their gameplay balance according to their personal preferences. The base builder supplies progression items quickly, encouraging players to learn and develop their industrial complexes.