A.V.A: Dog Tag is a, military-themed, team-based tactical First Person Shooter based on class-distinctive weaponry and strategy. Choose your fight in close quarter combat, hold down key engagement points, or zone out enemy team as a sniper and pick them apart.
The game brings back nostalgic elements from the original AVA, appealing to long-time fans.
It is free to play and has no pay-to-win mechanics, allowing all players access to the same weapons.
The gunplay and mechanics have been improved, making it enjoyable for casual play.
The game has been criticized for poor graphics, outdated mechanics, and a lack of content compared to the original.
There are significant issues with server stability, including frequent disconnections and lag.
Many players report a high presence of hackers and cheaters, negatively impacting the gameplay experience.
gameplay
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
66%
14%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the original mechanics, leading to disappointment among veterans. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and solid gunplay, others criticize the outdated engine, unbalanced weapons, and the introduction of pay-to-win mechanics. New players may find the gameplay enjoyable, but the overall experience is marred by issues such as hackers, broken mechanics, and a lack of content.
“With it being the AVA we know and love from back in the day, you can expect to see similar mechanics that it previously had: solid gunplay, a unique weapon modification system, and the three classes each with their merits and what they bring to the table. That's all still here, but not all of it is here per se.”
“To a fresh player, I'm sure they will find the gun mechanics unique enough from other shooters, yet stable enough that one gun or another doesn't completely outgun everything else, no questions asked.”
“Great gameplay; could use a few quality of life updates and more content.”
“I have over 7 hours of gameplay in the loading screen.”
“Worse mechanics than the old A.V.A., not much content, and a lot of tweaks to be done with pretty broken netcode and hitbox.”
“Also, shooting mechanics feel awfully outdated, so new players most likely won't come or won't stay for long.”
graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
58%
18%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over their outdated quality and lack of significant improvements from previous versions. While some appreciate the decent performance on lower-end PCs and find certain graphical elements appealing, others criticize the overall visual experience as below average and reminiscent of older titles. There is a strong desire among the community for a return to the graphics of earlier iterations, combined with modern enhancements, to revive the game's appeal.
“The game is graphically stunning even on lower-end PCs, which I have, but the game still manages to run at 60 FPS at all times on high, and the models and everything are wonderful.”
“The new graphics look amazing, and I have a lot of trust in Redduck making this game as amazing as it once was.”
“Although there are a few graphical changes and notable differences to some weapons, I really enjoy the way this game has moved on from the original and look forward to playing and understanding the game much more.”
“Not even worth giving it a single more try at this point, where all you get is a crap reedition of a 2007 game with near worse graphics and even way worse playability.”
“Developers did absolutely nothing to improve and rebuild the graphic engine nor the physics.”
“Graphics are below average (actually really bad in some cases).”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
29%
57%
The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with users reporting poor performance characterized by low frame rates (40-50 fps) and stuttering issues, especially when v-sync is enabled. While some players experience smooth performance exceeding 150 fps, many find the overall optimization lacking and unjustifiable given the game's graphical quality. Additionally, the game has been criticized for being confusing and bare-bones, further detracting from the experience.
“The game runs smoothly at 60 fps, but when I turn v-sync on with my specs, it drops to 30.”
“The performance is smooth, maintaining 150+ fps at all times.”
“Its got some stuttering and crash issues, but then again, it's been out for only 2 days.”
“I would not recommend this one, it's very bare bones and confusing, it runs very poorly and doesn't have any reason to justify the poor performance in the slightest, the gunplay is primitive and the weapons are not balanced, the time to kill in this game is low, so it rewards camping and ambushes.”
“The game had gotten upgrades both in the graphical and audio department, but optimization seemed to be lacking.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for being flawed, as players report issues with mission completion and receiving rewards, leading to frustration and a sense of broken gameplay mechanics. Overall, the narrative experience is overshadowed by technical problems that detract from player satisfaction.
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
16%
67%
The game is completely free with no microtransactions, DLC, or any purchases required, which is a significant positive for players. While it offers optional paid attachments that can slightly modify weapon statistics, the overall monetization model is straightforward and player-friendly, aligning well with the expectations for a free-to-play title.
“Completely free games, no microtransactions, no DLC, no purchases of any sort!”
“You can buy pretty cheap attachments to most of them and slightly change their statistics or add a holographic sight to some of them, but aiming down sights is pointless because it's much more effective to just shoot from the hip.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative, as it encourages players to spend money on attachments that don't significantly enhance gameplay.”
“The game is free to play, but the constant push for microtransactions detracts from the overall experience.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, noting that earning money and gaining experience is slow, which detracts from the overall experience. The absence of purchasable items in the shop further exacerbates the grind, especially compared to the original game where grinding for euros was a key feature.
“No items in the shop to buy (besides, earning money is tediously slow) and gaining experience is also very slow.”
“No more grinding euros to buy a primary, a key feature of the original game.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, players report that the game runs smoothly with improved gun mechanics, though opinions vary on the recoil system. However, some users express frustration with gameplay dynamics, particularly in Team Deathmatch, where snipers dominate from advantageous positions.
“The game runs great, and the guns are a lot better than before, though it's a matter of preference since some people like the old recoil system.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a deep sense of heartbreak over the closure of a beloved game, highlighting the emotional impact of losing a cherished experience. This sentiment reflects a strong attachment to the game and the sadness that accompanies its end.
“It was heartbreaking, yet again, to see one of my favorite games getting closed down.”