Arknights: Endfield’s Beta II brings a 60‑hour story rewrite, nine new operators — and a full wipe

Why this beta actually matters for Arknights fans

GRYPHLINE’s Beta Test II for Arknights: Endfield isn’t just another hands‑on weekend – it’s a substantial content shakeup. Launching on Nov. 28 for PC and mobile (PS5 joins Dec. 12), the closed test packs what the publisher calls 50-60 hours of reworked story, a new Wuling region, nine new operators (three of them six‑stars), overhauled tactical combat and an Automated Industry Complex system. That’s a lot to chew on for a test build – and it changes how players should approach the beta: this is the team’s attempt to reset expectations about what Endfield will be at launch, not a simple bug‑squash patch.

• Key takeaways:
• The beta is content‑heavy: GRYPHLINE claims 50-60 hours of polished, reworked story content.
• Nine new operators arrive, including three named six‑stars: Ardelia, Last Rite, and Pogranichnik.
• Combat has been retooled for four simultaneous operators with combo skills and updated bosses.
• Automated Industry Complex (AIC) returns as a base‑building, crafting backbone – expect resource loops.
• Progress will be wiped when the test ends; PC/mobile cross‑save is available for the duration.

Breaking down what’s actually new

First, the headline: GRYPHLINE says Beta II contains 50-60 hours of content. That’s unusually generous for a closed test. In practice, much of that time will come from exploring the new Wuling region, replaying choice branches in the reworked story, and tinkering with the AIC factory. Wuling is being presented as a visually distinct area — eastern aesthetics fused with sci‑fi elements — which could be a welcome tonal shift from Endfield’s other locales.

Nine new operators arrive, with three six‑stars highlighted by name: Ardelia, Last Rite, and Pogranichnik. Operator design and balance matter more than raw rarity here — especially because combat changes emphasize simultaneous four‑unit play, combo skills and elemental synergies. If Endfield moves away from the single‑deployment tower defense roots of the original Arknights into a more action‑oriented, combo‑driven system, these operators will define whether that transition feels smart or shallow.

The Automated Industry Complex (AIC) gets a refresh. AIC was a stand‑out feature in earlier tests: an automated production line that let players craft and manage resources. It’s excellent for giving players mid‑ and long‑term goals, but it can also introduce grindy loops that feed gacha systems. Expect deeper base micromanagement in this build — and keep an eye on how much the AIC rewards translate into meaningful progression versus repetitive busywork.

Why now — and why GRYPHLINE is testing this heavier build

After a 2024 technical test and a January 2025 closed beta, this feels like a course correction. GRYPHLINE has been showing Endfield at events all year and even got a spotlight at Apple’s September showcase — now they need to prove the game’s systems hold up at scale. Pushing a large, narrative‑heavy beta lets fans see the scope and gives devs focused, practical feedback on balance and throughput before a planned early‑2026 launch.

What gamers should watch for in the beta

Play the story choices more than once. The studio says choices lead to unique outcomes — testing branches will expose gating mistakes. Stress‑test the combat: do combos feel tactical or tacked on? Try the AIC early to see whether it rewards smart management or just time investment. Finally, test cross‑save between PC and mobile — the beta supports synchronization for those platforms but note PS5 access begins later and the announcement doesn’t make full cross‑platform parity clear.

The skeptical bits

“50–60 hours” reads like a headline number that could be padded by optional content and repeat playthroughs. The wipe also means your time is ephemeral; you’re testing systems, not building a lasting roster. And while GRYPHLINE promises improved visuals and controls, the publisher behind Arknights has long experience with sharp monetization — the AIC and new operators could well be used to funnel engagement toward live‑service hooks. That’s not inherently bad, but it’s worth watching how progression and monetization interplay during and after the beta.

Looking ahead

If Beta II delivers on its promises, Endfield could finally demonstrate how a single‑player story and gacha‑adjacent systems coexist without one cannibalizing the other. If it stumbles, the biggest red flag will be balance that forces repeated AIC grinds to progress or combat that rewards paywalls. Either way, this beta is a practical preview of the full game’s priorities — narrative breadth, tactical evolution, and systems depth — and it’s worth participating for anyone invested in how Arknights evolves beyond its mobile roots.

TL;DR

Beta Test II is a content‑heavy audition: a reworked 50–60 hour narrative, nine operators (three six‑stars), revamped four‑operator combat, and a deeper AIC. Play it to stress the systems, but remember progress will be wiped — this beta is about feedback, not long‑term rewards.