The single best game of 2024 Q1/Q2 (probably the whole year) and a very capable winner for game of the year. Hands down a top recommendation, you'd be a fool not to. This game is now a staple hallmark of the modern gamer.

There's a lot to speak on about this game, the pros and cons and so because there are so few I will start with the cons,


Cons;

Early on there were issues with the code/servers with players not able to get in, however the issues were solved and the game is in a perfect state now. Most of the negative reviews are in relation to the early days when the servers that were expecting a tops of 200k players were soon hitting 500k with steam players alone, add in cross play from playstation the numbers supposedly went close to a million, a feat very rarely obtained.

Additional negative reviews are in junction with recent re-balances for weapons, many were buffed, a few were nerfed which in the grand scope of the game make perfect sense and I for one applaud the needed changes. People who are greatly upset are few but the loudest crybabies that need to just deal with it.

Some devs additionally trolled people on some reddit posts but I find those unrelated to the finished product here but its worth to note as the whiners have taken to trying to review bomb the game. despicable traitors.


Pros;

Well polished and a proper full game all for $40. This is the first game in recent memory were I WANTED to spend more money on the game, rather then wishing for less. In the current world were game companies are trying to stuff out triple A title games as a "always online service" as a excuse to charge more, this game doesn't do ANY of that. Though the game is always online and you partake in a ever going on war on multiple fronts, the developers don't use that as a excuse to get more money.

You fight to defend Earth and managed democracy to a huge arsenal of weapons in a uncomplicated progression system, having huge tools of destruction at your finger tips. The game is a mile wide and NOT a inch deep, it has warbond books that you progress through to get new gear, weapons and cosmetics, not only are there several books now but more are soon to come every second Thursday of each month centered around a theme.

The war is live and ongoing, there are youtube and social media channels to watch and progress with the war, a constant feature. On the developer side a individual named Joel is running the war like a dungeons and dragons Game Master to ensure the war stays hot and spicy.

Replay-ability is immense, if and when the war ends a new cycle is noted by the devs to kick up, very much like Helldivers 1 but that's a long LONG ways from happening as of now.

This game is centered around playing with 3 others (4 max) and while it is more fun playing with friends, playing with randos or even just going solo is possible.

While the engine has been around in development since 2009, released in Hamiltons Great Adventure in 2011 as the Bitsquid engine, its was soon sold off and repackaged as the Stringray Autodesk Engine in 2014 were soon after it was use in Helldivers 1. In 2018 support for the engine stopped. The developers decided on this outdated engine and yet it presents some of the best, cleanest, explosive awesome graphics today beating modern games that use cutting edge engines. Just goes to show the in-depth work and love the few developers have for this.

The developers, numbering less then 100 at Arrowhead studios worked hard and surprised us with this creation and are continuing to bring in more, leaks and showcases present more mechs, trucks, apcs, weapons, armor, customization are on the way and in plenty, all being brought in usually via story telling ways. Recently the mechs have been added with the EXO-Patriot suit, players needed to rescue and defend the factory's that made them when the commie-bots attacked the planet, in less then 20 hours the attack was repelled and the mechs were made safe and soon deployed to all.

For story its not direct and in your face, you do have to look and find clues, hints and not just in game but also on social media, youtube and so on. Its fun and exciting, you go through a series of emotions and mind sets from baby faced new fanatical to realization that the other 3rd faction is watching and that Earth....maybe the bad guy? time will tell as the war and story progress.


Conclusion,

This game is a must buy, a staple of the modern gamer and a clear picture of what a game should be. Look at this (and baldur's gate 3), then look at the garbage of call of duty, skull and bones, battlefield and any other game a big corporation company is pumping out. This game is crafted with love, "love for the craft puts perfection in the work", this game (and baldur's gate 3) is material form of that saying, and all for a un-greedy low price of $40, you'd be a fool not to get this game.