GROUND BRANCH: A Haven for Strategy Junkies
Dive into the methodical madness of GROUND BRANCH—tactical FPS redefined.
Early Access Review
last updated Dec 21, 2023
Engage in a shooter that demands more gray matter than trigger finger reflexes.
Into the Breach – Tactical Gameplay Extravaganza
Engage in a shooter that demands more gray matter than trigger finger reflexes. GROUND BRANCH isn't your run-of-the-mill bullet fest, but a chess match with guns, where every move should be calculated. Weapon handling is next-level realism, allowing you to focus on your tactical prowess, not just the recoil. The game gives a nod to the classics of tactical action, delivering a robust and rewarding experience without the arcade-y run-and-gun shenanigans. Although progression is more cerebral and contained, expect an intense adrenaline rush knowing that every decision could be your last.
Sound Silencers – Audio Hits the Mark
The battlefield symphony of GROUND BRANCH hits a crescendo that resonates with its gritty realism. Gunfire echoes with a punch that feels satisfyingly lethal, and the ambient noise draws you into its carefully crafted combat zones. While some voice lines may induce more eye-rolls than tension (AI could use a thesaurus), the overall soundscape lays a foundation for the immersive, nail-biting environment that will have you checking your six more often than not.
Aesthetic Armory – Visuals Locked and Loaded
Stepping into the world of GROUND BRANCH, it’s clear that visual fidelity is a prioritized objective. Textures anchor you firmly in the game’s sniper scope of reality, with a visual clarity that remains consistent even in the heat of battle. Performance-wise, running through corridors or scanning terrains from a concealed sniper nest is a smooth endeavor, free from the hiccup-inducing jankiness that plagues many an early access title. However, the occasional visual bug creeps into the shadows, reminding us that even the best-laid plans can encounter a hiccup. Stare down your sights, but don’t be surprised if things occasionally get a little too pixelated for comfort when going for that all-important headshot.
Bare-Bones and Beyond – The Content Conundrum
Let's not beat around the bush; as meaty as GROUND BRANCH's tactical chops are, it's like opening a can of tactical spam when you were hoping for a full steak dinner. The lack of content could starve the hungry gamer—there's just not enough maps or guns to feed the frenzy. It's like the devs are on a slow cook setting for updates. Patience is a virtue, but come on, give us more of those juicy gameplay steaks. Yet, the game has a skeleton worth salivating over, and with a community that's both active and pleasantly non-toxic, the game's multiplayer engagements can be an absolute blast. With more substance packed in future updates, this could very well become the go-to tactical dream.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
BlackFoot Studios
Publisher
MicroProse Software
Early Accesss Release Date
August 14, 2018
Verdict & Summary
In the grand spectrum of tactical shooters, GROUND BRANCH positions itself as a genre-defining masterpiece—provided you have the patience of a saint and can overlook occasional AI ineptitude and sporadic updates. If you can embrace its current incarnation, with the potential it's beaming with, it's not just a good time, it's a tactician's nirvana. Should the developers deliver on their roadmap promises, we could see this unsung hero rise to the top. For now, it's a commendable early access title that's marching in the right direction.
