Insurgency: Sandstorm is developed by New World Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. It’s available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC – reviewed on PS5. Available now from your nearest game stockist or from your chosen platform marketplace.
Synopsis
Engage in realistic modern firefights in the definitive tactical FPS on consoles! Battle in the war-torn environments of a contemporary conflict through a series of intense cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.
Featuring unparalleled immersion, feel every bullet and fear every impact in fierce close quarters combat. Death comes fast. Manage ammunition carefully, and use tactics and teamwork to navigate environments as you fight towards victory.
Coordinate fire support with your team and go head to head in thrilling action.
Team up in intense 8-player co-operative gameplay. Compete in objective-based PVP matches with up to 20 players. Get immersed with realistic ballistics and stunning attention to detail. Fully customize your character and weapons. Unprecedented audio design with positional voice-chat for a heart-pounding atmosphere.
Review
For as long back as I can remember FPS games have been a favourite of mine with tactical shooters the favourite style of that genre, games such as Counter Strike: GO and the Rainbow Six series being the main titles I enjoyed.
For a while now I’ve been looking for a title offering the same style of gameplay as the two above, well that wait seems to be over with the console release of Insurgency: Sandstorm, a PC favourite has now been released onto consoles for the first time.
Although the game does feel similar in some respects it also feels unique in terms of gameplay. The similarities to games such as Counter Strike are there to see especially in the general feel of the game and that is by no means a bad thing being compared to such an iconic multiplayer title.
For those that enjoy playing modern combat titles this is definitely the one to look at, it doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of the bigger Call of Duty and Battlefield titles but Insurgency is more about the tactics and planning, although in all fairness it is a good looking game in it’s own right.
With an indepth level of customisation you can make your operator look as unique as you like or go for a battle scared veteran (I went with the latter) changing the look of the operator and also the load out all giving you that custom feel tweaking the fine points giving you that sharper edge against the enemies.
The immersive gameplay feels realistic in it’s approach and feels authentic, even the kills you pull feel more strategic and authentic rather than an arcade style. It certainly isn’t a run and gun game as you do need to keep an eye on your ammunition, it does take a bit of strategic planning to get it right but once you get it right it probably is one of the most intense shooters I’ve played full of close quarters combat and intense firefights all making for edge of the seat stuff. Like most co-op games they’re great to play alone with randoms but far better to get a squad of mates together to team up with .
In regards to graphics, the game itself looks pretty slick however some of the character animations are slightly dated, although a next gen patch is on the way which I am sure will give the game all the polish it needs. The game worlds are stunning and everything looks authentic and realistic adding to the overall feel of the game.
Verdict
Overall I found Insurgency:Sandstorm one of the better tactical shooters I have played, it does have it’s graphic flaws but I’m sure these will be addressed in the next gen patch. I loved the immersive gameplay and felt the close combat action worked well with the game’s model. I would definitely recommend to any FPS fans or tactical fans out there especially fans of Counter Strike as you will love this too.
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