When it comes to multiplayer first-person shooters, huge entries like Rainbow Six: Siege focus heavily on team-based gameplay. New titles need a gimmick to stand out from the crowd in 2021, and Quantum League has a great one. Instead of going it alone against a group of enemies, this multiplayer shooter from developer Nimble Giant Entertainment has players teaming up with past versions of themselves in round-based matches against a team of similarly time-displaced opponents. This time travel gameplay hook combines with a sports-based presentation to create a solid bite-sized experience that could be great fun for those willing to learn its ins and outs.

Each round of Quantum League lasts about as long as it takes to sprint across one of the game's arenas - which is to say sessions move fast. Gameplay involves capturing a point or taking out an opponent before the clock resets and they start over again. The trick is that the original run still plays out via an echo, and interacting with echoes is crucial in gaining the upper hand on opponents. After dying in a previous round, sniping the assailant can save a past life, and said projection will then carry out actions players recorded after death in the previous round. The typical game will eventually see three versions of each user running across the playfield and gunning for the objective.

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After a significant stay in Early Access, Quantum League launches with three modes set across eight different maps, give or take a few variations. Players can matchmake into a Quake-like deathmatch or two variations on point capture. One will have a massive center point to grab while another has points scattered across tiny arenas. The game modes also support 1v1 and 2v2, providing a lot of variety after leveling up and earning a spot in competitive matchups. No matter the mode, people will need to learn the ropes rather quickly, as the placement of each past life is vital to continued success.

Quantum League Gameplay SMG

Because of these unique mechanics, Quantum League demands rethinking what's known about multiplayer FPS games. There's a big learning curve for specific skills that are impossible to pick up anywhere else. General FPS skills will have their benefits, but even those with skills in games like Overwatch will need to learn these arenas intimately while getting used to the mind games Quantum League has to offer.

It's not an impossible hurdle by any means, but there is one major obstacle for anyone coming in at the game's launch. Because Quantum League launched in Early Access, the community currently consists of those who have been playing the game for months ahead of time. This isn't always a problem for new multiplayer games, but Quantum League remains a niche title, and that means the chance of new combatants running into someone of a similar skill level is slim to none. After a few rounds of trying to learn the most basic rhythm of the game and having a master cut-in with a well-timed shot, it's difficult to find motivation to learn Quantum League's unique combat dance.

Quantum League Matchup Screen

Thankfully, Quantum League features custom matches, letting friends play the game together away from the Early Access veterans. There are plenty of great customization options to try out here, including adjusting how long each life lasts, whether health packs spawn in, and more. The less frantic friendly matches really let the rest of the game shine. The sports broadcast introductions to each match are fun and fitting, as is the high-tempo music playing throughout the experience.

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Outside of issues with player population, Quantum League is unfortunately light on content. There are no bots to practice against, the in-game progression consists of tame cosmetics and not much else, and the game modes are too similar even with different objectives. There have been games like Rocket Arena with far more going on that struggled to make a lasting impact, and Quantum League's unique concept doesn't seem like enough to buoy it through its lack of meaningful variety.

Quantum League Three On Point

For what it is, Quantum League is a solid novelty that provides quick but demanding sessions that test conventional thoughts on multiplayer shooters. Nimble Giant's unique ideas make it worth the attention of anyone interested in seeing the boundaries of the multiplayer FPS pushed past its limits, but the difficulty curve and lack of content will likely cause many to bounce off an otherwise compelling new concept.

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Quantum League is available on PC. Screen Rant was provided a Steam key for the purposes of this review.