ARMA: Gold Edition

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 377 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
ARMA: Gold Edition Game Cover
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"ARMA: Gold Edition" is a first-person tactical military shooter that includes the base game "ARMA: Armed Assault" and the expansion pack "ARMA: Queen's Gambit." With a vast array of weapons, vehicles, and large-scale military conflicts, players can experience realism and simulation in a massive 400 square kilometer battlezone. The game also features leadership and commanding options, allowing players to lead their squad through intense battles in a realistic military setting.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 377 reviews
story26 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • Incredible sandbox gameplay that allows for a variety of approaches to missions.
  • Offers a nostalgic experience for long-time Arma fans, with a good story and engaging missions.
  • Great for low-spec PCs, making it accessible for players with older hardware.
  • Severe AI issues, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences and unresponsive teammates.
  • Dated graphics and controls that can feel clunky and unrefined compared to newer titles.
  • The campaign can be overly difficult and poorly designed, with many bugs and frustrating mission triggers.
  • story151 mentions

    The game's story is often described as generic and lacking depth, with many players finding the missions frustrating and poorly designed. While some missions offer engaging tactical gameplay and replayability, the overall narrative and character development are considered weak compared to earlier titles in the franchise. Despite these criticisms, the mission editor and the variety of gameplay options provide some enjoyment for players willing to navigate the game's challenges.

    • “Very fun game with a great story.”
    • “Compelling and immersive campaigns, a still vibrant and unique multiplayer, and limitless potential with a mission editor, this is the defining title in Bohemia Interactive's much-loved franchise and is well worth the purchase and the gameplay.”
    • “Most awesome storyline; it's not personal, it sounds like real business, so the game doesn't start about a soldier's personal life; it talks about the war conflict.”
    • “The story here is generic, the missions are bland and uninspired.”
    • “I bought it because when I was a kid I played Operation Flashpoint and I thought it would be the same, but I was wrong; the story is boring in this one.”
    • “Unlike other parts of the franchise, in the first Arma, the story and characters are almost non-existent, and it's sad.”
  • graphics54 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements over its predecessor, Operation Flashpoint, while also acknowledging that they appear dated by modern standards. Some users appreciate the nostalgic charm and the potential for modding, but others criticize the graphics as lazy or buggy, particularly on lower-end hardware. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are often overshadowed by the gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics are much improved from the original Cold War Assault/Operation Flashpoint, and I enjoyed both campaigns.”
    • “The game aged in graphics obviously, but do not let this fool you; the facial animations and facial graphics are amazing, the vehicles too, and the surroundings are impressive. Today, you can play it at 100 fps with zero lag!”
    • “Even though this game is old, on high graphics it still looks beautiful.”
    • “However the campaigns are atrocious; it's not even that the graphics are poor, they are just lazy designs that don't fit with the simulation aspect of the game.”
    • “Running on Windows 7, the game had incredibly bad graphics; the textures were missing and the menus and text were all blurry.”
    • “Looks like Roblox if you set the game to the lowest graphics.”
  • gameplay29 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of solid mechanics and frustrating bugs, with a campaign that offers a sandbox experience and a unique mission structure. While some players appreciate the variety in gameplay options and the immersive multiplayer, others criticize its dated graphics and occasional awkward controls, often recommending newer titles in the series for a better experience. Overall, it remains a nostalgic yet flawed entry in the military simulation genre.

    • “The game's infantry tutorials do a fairly good job at getting you adjusted to the mechanics.”
    • “Compelling and immersive campaigns, a still vibrant and unique multiplayer, and limitless potential with a mission editor, this is the defining title in Bohemia Interactive's much-loved franchise and is well worth the purchase and the gameplay.”
    • “Its graphics aren't the best, but the gameplay outweighs the graphics massively, and it is still very immersive.”
    • “The graphics are better than Operation Flashpoint (aka Arma: Cold War Assault), but the gameplay is way, way worse.”
    • “It has some bugs and little problems that make gameplay very annoying sometimes, and you need to download some patches.”
    • “Frustrating gameplay... skip this and go straight to Arma 3.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs affecting gameplay, including mission failures, AI pathfinding issues, and frustrating mission triggers. While some players appreciate the improvements over its predecessor, many find the overall experience marred by these persistent technical problems, making it a challenging and often frustrating experience.

    • “This is just a horrible buggy mess.”
    • “Also it's very buggy, I couldn't get past the first mission.”
    • “Already in mission 2 all goes to crap, bumping into trees, buggy pathfinding, confusing night vision with weird brightness changes, confusing team voice communication... all is worse than in Arma 1.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting significant lag, frequent frame drops, and poor AI performance, particularly on mid-range hardware. While it may run adequately on lower-end systems, the outdated engine struggles to deliver a smooth experience even at modest settings, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite its technical shortcomings, players acknowledge the unique sandbox experience it offers.

    • “Good for people with low to mid-performance PCs/laptops, and multiplayer servers are still available.”
    • “It all starts with the optional tutorial, where depending on your performance (for instance in the shooting range), you can gain expert qualifications and go to sniper training.”
    • “It's laggy and unoptimized.”
    • “The AI is poorly implemented, and the problematic optimization results in frequent frame drop issues.”
    • “Simply because there is nothing else like it available and for all its technical faults (of which it has too many to count) and being one of the most poorly optimized 3D engines I have ever played on - there is no other sandbox platform that does what it does.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful soundtrack while others feel it doesn't match the quality of its predecessor. Comparisons to the music in GTA titles highlight a preference for the soundtracks of Vice City and San Andreas, suggesting that the current game's music could be improved. Overall, while the audio is appreciated, it is seen as a weaker aspect of the game compared to its predecessors.

    • “The soundtrack is beautiful, and so are the graphics.”
    • “For those coming from OFP/ARMA CWA, this is somewhat like the GTA 3D games, Vice City and San Andreas, where San Andreas had a better engine allowing multiplayer and swimming, but Vice City had better music.”
    • “In relation to its predecessor, this has some engine improvements like join in progress multiplayer, the ability to swim, bullet penetration, better destruction, and better graphics, but is more buggy and resource intensive and the content (music, missions, campaign) isn't as good.”
    • “Eh.....the game would be better if it had this song in it https://www.youtube.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers high replayability through its replayable missions, a mission editor, and customizable controls, enhancing the overall experience. Users appreciate the combination of realistic weapon and vehicle systems, which further contribute to its replay value.

    • “Replayable missions, passable graphics, realistic weapon and vehicle systems, and usable and configurable controls, all on a game that is DRM-free and features a mission editor, allowing for even more replayability.”
    • “Replayable missions, passable graphics, 'realistic' weapon and vehicle systems, and usable and configurable controls, all on a game that is DRM-free and features a mission editor, allowing for even more replayability.”
    • “But the real saving grace for the game is in the replayability of the missions.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly noting that the driving mechanics can make tasks like reaching the arms merchant feel unnecessarily prolonged and frustrating.

    • “There's nothing more to add besides the driving in vehicles, which is tedious.”
    • “It was tedious getting to the arms merchant.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing design of the M113 vehicle and the comical appearance of the USMC uniforms, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “I love the humor in the game, especially the quirky character designs and their hilarious interactions.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations always make me laugh out loud.”
    • “The game has a great sense of humor that keeps the experience light-hearted and enjoyable.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized as modern but is overshadowed by significant bugs and frustrations, reminiscent of the original Operation Flashpoint.

    • “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The atmospheric design is stunning, creating a world that feels alive and full of mystery.”
    • “Every sound and visual detail contributes to an incredibly immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
    • “A buggy, frustrating remake of Operation Flashpoint with a modern atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to immerse you in the game world.”
    • “Despite the potential, the atmosphere is bland and lacks any real tension or excitement.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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