Arma Reforger

If you're not enthusiastic about being on the front lines of Arma development, Arma Reforger's early access version is not ready for you - you're better off with Arma 3 until further notice. But when it cooperates and you have the right crew, this military sim sings.

69%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

stability, monetization

70% User Score Based on 18,713 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 2 reviews

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About

Arma Reforger is a single player and multiplayer open world shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Bohemia Interactive and was released on November 16, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Powered by the new Enfusion engine, Arma Reforger lets you fight for supremacy over 51 km2 of incredible island terrain in an authentic Cold War setting, or create unique scenarios in real-time with the Game Master curation mode. Return to Everon, the war-driven microstate from the hit game that started it all, Arma: Cold War Assault.

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70%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,713 reviews

gameplay418 positive mentions

stability818 negative mentions

gameplay
1,481 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
Arma Reforger showcases significant improvements in gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessor, Arma 3, with smoother controls, enhanced vehicle handling, and a more immersive experience. However, it suffers from server instability, frequent crashes, and a steep learning curve, which can detract from the overall experience, especially for new players. While the game offers a solid foundation and potential for future development, many players feel it currently lacks content and depth, making it more of a tech demo for Arma 4 than a fully realized title.
- “In terms of gameplay, Arma Reforger is a testament to the sheer potential of Enfusion.”
- “Arma Reforger delivers a strong gameplay experience, blending tactical depth with a vibrant modding community that breathes life into the game.”
- “The core mechanics are solid, and the range of user-generated content significantly enhances replayability.”
- “Character is slow and can run around 3-5 meters, take in mind that map size is pretty large, there is no good squad commanders that are calling anything, it’s more like spawn and run where you want making gameplay not tactical but solo.”
- “Gameplay is marred by numerous bugs and glitches, including disappearing textures, characters getting stuck in bizarre positions, and matches frequently ending due to server failures.”
- “The gameplay loop largely consists of choosing a spawn point, and b-lining from it to the nearest of 3 capture points, and either dying to someone you never saw or getting on the point.”
graphics
1,425 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The graphics in "Arma Reforger" have received significant praise for their stunning visuals and improvements over previous titles, particularly with the new Enfusion engine enhancing detail, lighting, and overall immersion. Many players note that the game runs smoothly on various hardware, although some experience performance issues and graphical glitches. While the visuals are generally regarded as a major step forward, there are mixed feelings about optimization and content depth, with some players feeling it lacks the richness of earlier entries in the series.
- “Graphics have seen a noticeable upgrade, with more detailed environments and an immersive level of visual fidelity that enhances the overall experience.”
- “Built on the new Enfusion engine, the game brings fantastic visuals and impressive details to the battlefield.”
- “Next-level graphics: the Enfusion engine makes the landscape and assets stunning, especially in dynamic lighting and weather effects.”
- “I'd expect more from a team that has this much experience; first game from them that I played was Operation Flashpoint, and graphically I can't even see a change from that when trying this game.”
- “You can put view distance and texture quality to the max and be okay, but every other graphics setting has to be put to the lowest possible; otherwise, the game becomes an unplayable stutter feast.”
- “While the graphics may be an improvement, they do little to compensate for the game's numerous shortcomings.”
optimization
911 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
59%
19%
The optimization of Arma Reforger has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting significant performance issues, especially on modded servers and lower-end hardware. While some users report improved performance compared to Arma 3, others experience frequent crashes, lag, and inconsistent frame rates, indicating that the game is still in need of substantial optimization and bug fixes. Overall, while the new engine shows promise, the current state of optimization leaves much to be desired, particularly for a title in early access.
- “This release allows the community to test-drive the Enfusion engine in real-time, providing invaluable feedback on its performance and functionality.”
- “The new engine provides better graphics with better optimization, totally worth buying even at full price :)”
- “Arma Reforger's optimization efforts shine through with heightened FPS, contributing to a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.”
- “Terrible performance, servers keep crashing, lots of bugs...not in a good playable state at the moment.”
- “The performance is lacking, and installing mods on Xbox is often slow and problematic.”
- “The multiplayer is unbelievably bad, it's simply not optimized, buggy, crashing all the time.”
stability
860 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
1%
95%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and server issues that detract from the overall experience. While some improvements have been noted since launch, many still find the game to be a "buggy mess," with frequent crashes and connection problems making multiplayer nearly unplayable. Overall, players recommend caution, suggesting that the game is not yet worth the investment until these stability issues are addressed.
- “The game runs great; I don't have a super high-end PC (old i7 9700k, dual 16GB RAM, and a 4070ti) and loaded with the maximum AI, vehicles, and objects, plus game master effects going crazy and mods. It never lagged nor stuttered, not once.”
- “It runs great, looks great, feels great, and feels a lot less clunky than Arma 3.”
- “It runs great, none of the issues it had on launch exist today, and the community/modded servers are taking over.”
- “The multiplayer is unbelievably bad, it's simply not optimized, buggy, crashing all the time.”
- “Gameplay is marred by numerous bugs and glitches, including disappearing textures, characters getting stuck in bizarre positions, and matches frequently ending due to server failures.”
- “The game is still a buggy, broken mess.”
story
604 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
86%
6%
The story aspect of "Arma Reforger" is largely criticized for its lack of depth and content, with many players noting the absence of a traditional campaign or engaging single-player missions. While the game offers multiplayer scenarios and a game master mode for creating missions, the overall experience feels limited and repetitive, lacking the rich narrative and mission variety that fans expect from the Arma series. Players express a desire for a more robust mission editor and a return to the storytelling elements that characterized earlier titles in the franchise.
- “In conclusion, Arma Reforger is more than just a game; it's a testament to the power of immersive storytelling, strategic gameplay, and community-driven experiences.”
- “Whether engaging in intense firefights, coordinating with teammates in multiplayer battles, or embarking on solo missions behind enemy lines, the game provides a wealth of gameplay experiences to suit every preference.”
- “You'll embark on epic missions across vast landscapes, equipped with an arsenal that would make any arms dealer blush.”
- “No campaign, no story, no scenarios, no artillery strikes, no air strikes, no tanks (mods), no hostile AI vehicles; mostly just multiplayer with mods.”
- “There are no official single player story experiences like there were in every Arma before.”
- “The lack of a dedicated in-game mission editor like the previous installments in the series is certainly felt if you were into that, as the editor has been largely replaced with a live 'game master' more akin to Arma 3's Zeus module.”
humor
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Arma Reforger" is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying both intentional comedic moments and the unintentional hilarity stemming from bugs and glitches. Many reviews mention amusing interactions, such as players' voice chat antics and absurd in-game scenarios, which contribute to a fun and engaging multiplayer experience. Overall, the game is described as a blend of serious military simulation and lighthearted chaos, making it particularly enjoyable when played with friends.
- “In conclusion, Arma Reforger is an ambitious blend of high-stakes strategy and unintentional comedy, a game where every operation is an adventure that could either end in a triumphant victory or a hilarious disaster.”
- “Right now the game is a bit buggy but the bugs result in some of the most hilarious situations I've ever been in.”
- “I saw a car become a Harry Potter meme, me and the boys died laughing.”
monetization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The monetization of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing frustration over its high price relative to the lack of content and numerous bugs. Reviewers describe the game as feeling unfinished and lacking promised features, leading to a perception that it was rushed to market primarily for profit rather than quality. While some acknowledge the potential for future improvements, the current state of the game has left many feeling disrespected as consumers.
- “Just another cash grab.”
- “Cash grab money milker - game went into full release with tons of bugs and lacking promised features.”
- “This is a pathetic cash grab attempt from a company who no longer respects their players' money.”
atmosphere
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive qualities, with players highlighting the realistic sound design and engaging combat scenarios that evoke a true sense of military operations. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to create a tense and strategic environment, reminiscent of classic war films, while also noting the beautiful graphics and dynamic weather effects that enhance the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the world feeling sparse at times, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
- “Muffled sounds of gunfire in the distance are not just effects being played to add atmosphere but real battles going on.”
- “There's something about the atmosphere of the game that just draws you into the virtual world.”
- “The atmosphere of Arma Reforger brings authenticity and realism that very few military-style games provide.”
- “While the world still feels empty with civilians and main wildlife, there is a degree of atmosphere that doesn't make it feel bland from all the graphical elements to radios and announcements happening in bases and such.”
- “The graphics are good, the sound is better than DayZ's, which is a plus because not many games come close to the atmosphere of what DayZ is despite how janky the game is.”
- “Walking for hours, always be prepared and taste the tense atmosphere, instead of gun running like in arcade and arena shooters.”
music
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its beauty and significant improvement over previous titles, with many players finding it relaxing and nostalgic. The soundtrack is praised for its immersive quality, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience, although some players suggest turning it off during intense firefights to avoid distraction. Overall, the sound design, including the integration of original tracks, contributes to a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
- “The music is beautiful and a massive step up from previous titles.”
- “The music is incredibly relaxing and nostalgic, very good vibes.”
- “The game has a great soundtrack and good sound design.”
- “Wow, after over a year of this being out, it still constantly crashes, spawn in unable to move, idiots blasting music or being racist left and right... what a dumpster fire of a game.”
- “I had the sense I was in a WWII movie when driving around in the jeep and the eerie music would start playing.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
replayability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
70%
20%
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while the solid core mechanics and user-generated content offer significant potential for replayability, many players express frustration over the limited official content and the current state of the game, which is plagued by bugs and performance issues. The multiplayer modes and game master feature enhance social interaction and creativity, but the lack of a robust single-player experience and mod support restricts replayability for some users. Overall, while there are elements that could foster replayability, many players recommend waiting for further updates before fully engaging with the game.
- “The core mechanics are solid, and the range of user-generated content significantly enhances replayability.”
- “Moreover, the inclusion of a robust game master mode empowers players to unleash their creativity, crafting custom scenarios and campaigns for others to enjoy, ensuring endless replayability and community engagement.”
- “This depth of customization not only enhances replayability but also empowers players to craft truly unique and memorable moments on the battlefield.”
- “Secondly, the lack of content and 'replayability' shall we say.”
- “There is just very little content to the game, and with the single gamemode that they plan to support, replayability is limited.”
- “Modders were able to make a PvE gamemode with friendly AI to help you win the match and released it to the in-game workshop since last year, but they are now broken and still no replayable and fun singleplayer mode from the official developer.”
grinding
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
42%
55%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, often likening it to a "whack-a-mole" scenario where they must continuously engage in battles without meaningful progress. The introduction of bugs and complicated private hosting features further exacerbates the frustration, leading to a gameplay experience that many describe as boring and off-putting. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant detractor from the enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I defeat all the NPC soldiers guarding the supply depot, but the next time I go there, about 2 more enemy soldiers appear, which is repeated, so I have to fight every time I go to the supply depot, which is tedious.”
- “Bottom line is this gets very tedious and boring, very fast, and often devolves into a whack-a-mole situation where both sides simply capture each other's points back and forth until the other side makes a mistake or quits.”
- “I'm very surprised they haven't added one yet with how long Arma has been around and with how boring, tedious, and off-putting it is to try and play on the weekend.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration with the game, highlighting intense moments during gameplay, such as ambushes and the complexities of combat outcomes, including surrendering enemies. While some find the experience wholesome and promising, others feel disillusioned, leading to a decline in their interest in the game. The emotional depth is further complicated by the challenges of modding and the game's evolving nature, which can impact player attachment.
- “It's a wholesome game; I would not want to die after Arma 4.”
- “The firefights are engaging and wholesome.”
- “It's possible to waste an enemy patrol only to have one guy roll back over and start surrendering in local when his level of trauma downgrades from physical to emotional, and it's impossible to tell the survivors from the ragdolls.”