Arknights: Endfield is almost here, and it is shaping up to be one of the most interesting action RPG launches on PlayStation 5 this year. Developed by Hypergryph and published globally by GRYPHLINE, the game arrives on January 22 as a free to play title, blending fast paced squad combat, deep exploration, and large scale base building into a single, interconnected experience.
Set in the expanding Arknights universe, Endfield pushes the franchise in a bold new direction, swapping tower defence roots for real time action while keeping its signature strategic depth intact.
Welcome To Talos-II
Endfield takes place on Talos-II, a planet shaped by conflict, catastrophe, and ambition. More than 150 years ago, pioneers fought through war and disaster to establish the first civilised zones. Beyond those borders lies a vast wilderness, dangerous, uncharted, and still haunted by the remnants of the past.
Players step into the role of the Endministrator, leading squads of Operators tasked with protecting and expanding the frontier of civilisation. Exploration and development are tightly linked, with Oripathy engines powering industrial facilities that rise across the wasteland as humanity pushes further outward.
Strategic Action Combat With Real-Time Decisions
At its core, Arknights: Endfield is an anime styled action RPG built around highly tactical, real time combat. Battles feature up to four Operators fighting at once, with players able to switch between characters on the fly.
Combat revolves around layered mechanics rather than button mashing. Basic attacks flow into heavier strikes that deal stagger damage and restore SP. Once an enemy’s stagger bar is filled, they become vulnerable, opening the door to devastating Executions that deal massive damage while refilling SP.
Each Operator brings unique skills and roles, with SP powering active abilities and ultimates that can turn the tide of battle. Under the right conditions, Operators can chain abilities together into combo skills, rewarding careful positioning, timing, and team composition. The result is combat that feels fast, expressive, and deliberately strategic.
Building The Backbone Of Civilization
Combat is only half of Endfield’s identity. One of the game’s defining systems is the Automated Industry Complex, or AIC, which ties directly into progression, exploration, and survival.
Players design and manage automated production lines that create equipment, medical supplies, and essential resources. These systems are not just passive bonuses, they actively influence how areas are explored and how challenges are approached.
To keep large scale building accessible, Endfield introduces a Blueprint system. Once unlocked, blueprints allow entire production lines to be built, copied, moved, or dismantled instantly. Players can also save layouts and share them with others, encouraging experimentation and optimisation.
As industrial zones grow, efficiency improves and trade routes begin to emerge, with different regions specialising in specific outputs. Where and how you build becomes just as important as what you produce.
A Story That Is Only Just Beginning
The narrative of Talos-II continues well beyond the opening hours. Events in Valley IV hint at a growing threat along the edges of civilisation, with signs that the Corrosion is beginning to stir.
Players are drawn to Qingbo Stockade near Wuling after contact is lost with Supreme Chief Tangtang, a key figure already known to the Endministrator. Reports of Bonekrushers appearing nearby suggest the situation is far from random.
As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Wuling itself may not escape the coming Blight Tide. New regions, allies, and storylines gradually open up, with player choices shaping what lies ahead. Tangtang plays a central role in this unfolding chapter, and her journey alongside the Endministrator is only just getting started.
Designed With PS5 In Mind
On PlayStation 5, Arknights: Endfield takes full advantage of the hardware. The game supports the DualSense wireless controller, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, light bar effects, and built in speaker features. 3D audio support helps bring Talos-II’s environments to life, while Activities integration allows players to jump back into key story moments quickly.
The PS5 version also benefits from modern visual technology, including high frame rate support, detailed environmental effects, and smooth controller integration.
Importantly, while Endfield is always online, it does not require PlayStation Plus to play. Players can also purchase a $9.99 preorder bundle from the PlayStation Store, which includes in game currency, permits, and upgrade materials to get started.
A Massive Launch Moment
Ahead of launch, Arknights: Endfield has already surpassed 35 million pre registrations worldwide. To mark the milestone, all community rewards and special gifts revealed during the developer livestream will be available to players from day one.
New trailers released this week showcased both cinematic storytelling and in depth gameplay, including the official release trailer featuring the original anthem “We Are Empire” by STARSET, and the ‘New Horizons’ gameplay trailer highlighting Talos-II’s industrial landscapes and unfolding mysteries.
Begin Your Journey
Arknights: Endfield launches on January 22 for PS5, PC, and mobile platforms. With its blend of strategic action combat, large scale industrial systems, and an expanding sci fi narrative, it is shaping up to be one of the most distinctive action RPGs of early 2026.
If you are ready to step onto Talos-II and help define humanity’s next frontier, the journey is about to begin.