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Beyond The Wire

65%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
optimization, stability
65% User Score Based on 5,195 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
Buy Nowfrom $1.76
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About

Beyond the Wire is a large-scale multiplayer first-person shooter set in the Western Front of the Great War. With up to 100 players in a battle, coordination and communication are key as you fight alongside your squad in intense, tactical combat. Utilize period-appropriate firearms and close-quarters melee combat to overcome the enemy and survive the brutality of the front lines.

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Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
Beyond The Wire screenshot
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65%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,195 reviews
gameplay192 positive mentions
optimization119 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and immersive WW1 experience with great graphics and sound design.
  • Gameplay mechanics are engaging, promoting teamwork and strategy among players.
  • The addition of bots has made the game more playable, allowing for some action even when player counts are low.
  • The player base is extremely low, making it difficult to find populated servers.
  • The game suffers from optimization issues, leading to poor performance on various systems.
  • Many players report bugs and crashes, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
  • gameplay
    544 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Beyond the Wire" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its immersive WWI atmosphere and solid mechanics reminiscent of titles like "Squad" and "Hell Let Loose." However, criticisms highlight issues such as clunky controls, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of content, compounded by a sparse player base that limits the overall experience. While the game shows potential with its unique mechanics and intense combat, it requires further optimization and community engagement to fully realize its promise.

    • “The gameplay is intense and atmospheric with satisfying bolt action gunplay and a surprisingly fun and robust melee system.”
    • “Beyond the Wire features a lot of gameplay and mechanics that keep the player on its toes, all with incredible graphics in mind.”
    • “This game has great concepts and gameplay but is way too expensive for what it is which is why now there is a very small player base of around like 30-50 players for a game with matches that need at least 75.”
    • “Gameplay was clunky, too repetitive due to the lack of content, and unoptimized which led to some questionable decisions being made.”
    • “The game has almost no player base, virtually redundant match mechanics, awfully optimized, and no sense of accomplishment.”
    • “The gameplay loop isn't like Post Scriptum nor Squad.”
  • graphics
    376 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising their high quality, realism, and attention to detail, often comparing them favorably to titles like Battlefield 1 and Hell Let Loose. However, several players report significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and optimization problems, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are generally considered impressive, the game's low player count and technical glitches hinder its potential.

    • “The graphics are incredible; the game is incredible, so I think it is worth it.”
    • “Beyond the Wire has some pretty amazing graphics that make its shooter gameplay truly shine.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, as well as the in-game sound.”
    • “The graphics feel dated, so much that I maxed everything out and the trailers' gameplay portions still looked better than when I was actually playing it myself.”
    • “Graphics on high are barely above N64.”
    • “I have a high-end gaming laptop, but still got 30-50 fps in multiplayer servers with almost all graphics quality.”
  • optimization
    370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and lag, even on high-end hardware. While some users noted improvements over time, the consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized and often unplayable, particularly in larger matches. Overall, many reviewers recommend waiting for significant optimization updates before purchasing.

    • “If OWI were to take over for this game and iron out the bugs and optimization like PS/Squad 44, I feel like this game would have the reputation and population it deserves.”
    • “This game is great when the servers are filled, and it is much more optimized than before.”
    • “With some optimization and marketing, this could be something, but it's hard to recommend as it is.”
    • “This game is simply too poorly optimized for me to enjoy, I am sorry to say.”
    • “The optimization in this one is pretty bad, pulling in about 20-40 fps regardless of what settings or resolution I play on.”
    • “With the terrible optimization, poor performance, and generally unpolished and unfinished look, it's no wonder that the player base struggled to get 50 people playing even on a good day.”
  • stability
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting a plethora of glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer settings. While some users note that the game runs well under certain conditions, the overall experience is marred by low player counts, server issues, and frequent bugs that detract from gameplay. Many reviews emphasize that, despite its potential, the game feels unfinished and is currently not worth the investment due to its instability.

    • “It looks great, runs great, and most importantly, plays great.”
    • “The game is also surprisingly bug-free, though there is some jank.”
    • “Game runs great from an SSD with an i7-9900k and a 1070 with high settings.”
    • “They introduced more bugs than they fixed and drove players away by releasing a buggy unfinished mess as a final product.”
    • “The game is still buggy with the lever rifle needing to be loaded three times before it can be used.”
    • “A very buggy, poor netcode mess.”
  • atmosphere
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive qualities, effectively transporting players to the gritty realities of World War I through detailed environments, realistic sound design, and intense combat. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of historical accuracy, with beautifully crafted maps and engaging gameplay that enhances the overall experience. However, some players note that technical issues and a small player base can detract from fully enjoying the atmospheric elements.

    • “The muddy trenches, era-specific tanks, and brutal melee combat system create a truly authentic atmosphere.”
    • “From the meticulously recreated landscapes and weaponry to the attention to detail in the overall atmosphere, the game succeeds in transporting players back in time, allowing them to witness and participate in the challenging and often terrifying battles of the era.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is amazing, the graphics are great, it has the best gun sounds I've ever heard in a game (and easily the best explosions!), and runs buttery smooth on my RTX 2080, paired with a Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB RAM.”
    • “The atmosphere is there, the technical aspects of a smooth running game are not.”
    • “Atmosphere without destruction: while the game tries to capture the look and feel of WWI with its sound design and trench warfare setting, the visuals don’t hold up.”
    • “Probably the biggest thing holding the game back is the atmosphere.”
  • music
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its breathtaking soundtrack and its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly in relation to the World War I theme. However, some users noted issues with the implementation of in-game music, describing it as distracting or poorly suited for the gameplay experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, its integration into the game has drawn mixed feedback.

    • “The soundtrack is superb and totally fits the WW1 theme.”
    • “Loved the soundtrack and the sound effects; the software house has a great sound team and a great visual effects team.”
    • “Playing this game while listening to the soundtrack (which is absolutely amazing) puts me into a war-movie player mindset that I have yet to experience anywhere else.”
    • “The menu music is noteworthy, but everything else is questionable... at peak time of day, during summer, while the game is on sale, there were 5 servers shown, with only one of them decently populated.”
    • “Currently if you enable in-game music you've got this very distracting wistful sounding singing in Gaelic or something with forlorn bagpipes blaring that sounds like it belongs in a heavily produced Oscar bait-esque Hollywood drama rather than a gritty, brutal in-your-face war scenario, it's just really cheesy and awkward and a missed opportunity.”
    • “The main menu music is absolutely deafening.”
  • monetization
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to a perceived lack of genuine development and marketing efforts. Reviewers emphasize that the game suffers from low player counts, which they attribute to insufficient advertising and poor developer communication, suggesting that more promotional activities and free weekends could help attract a larger audience. Overall, while the gameplay has potential, the consensus is that the developers need to invest more in marketing to improve the game's visibility and player engagement.

    • “It is still in early access, so the publishers are not advertising it because the game does not have enough content to justify the price.”
    • “There were no advertisements for it anywhere, no big events were held for it, it didn't appear at any conventions or press conferences. The only sort of outreach this game got was through 'big' YouTubers doing videos on the game, either showcasing it for the first time or doing state of the game updates on it.”
    • “This game just feels like a cash grab.”
    • “Early access cash grab scam!”
    • “They've practically killed this game because they refused to put anything into marketing and advertising.”
  • story
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and complexity, particularly in comparison to previous titles in the franchise. Several users expressed disappointment over the absence of a single-player campaign, leading to a feeling of aimlessness in gameplay. While some appreciated the atmospheric elements and historical context in certain modes, the overall narrative was deemed underwhelming and not engaging enough to elevate the gaming experience.

    • “They’re heavily embroiled in a plot that involves an Iranian arms deal, stolen US missiles, and the interplay between multiple nations’ special forces.”
    • “Sure, its story may not be as provocative as it seems to want to be, but it reestablishes a strong identity for this 16-year-old franchise with a showcase solo shooter experience.”
    • “Each map tells its own story and brings you through the horrors of World War One by pure atmosphere alone.”
    • “Thanks to a lackluster story, fumbled mechanical innovations, and largely underwhelming mission design, this year’s Call of Duty campaign is an unfortunate misfire that fails to live up to standards set by not only its unforgettable 2009 namesake, but also its 2019 predecessor.”
    • “The quality of this story is a substantial step down from its predecessor; where Modern Warfare examined the human stories that emerge from military occupation and (lightly) assessed sacrificing a piece of your own morality in order to protect the civilian world, Modern Warfare 2 is more interested in broader, shallower action.”
    • “But beyond each thunderous pull of the trigger is an underwhelming story and level designs that are too concerned with replicating the successes of previous campaigns rather than embracing its own good ideas for more than a single mission apiece.”
  • humor
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the comedic interactions and absurd situations that arise during gameplay, such as funny ragdoll physics and chaotic team dynamics. Many reviews mention the hilarious community interactions, especially when playing with friends, which enhance the overall experience. However, some players note that technical issues and bugs can detract from the humor, though they often find these glitches amusing in their own right.

    • “When the game was fertile with players, the communications and interactions at the squad leader's disposal along with the other squad roles was sensational and hilarious.”
    • “This game is fun as hell and I think there should never get rid of the funny ragdolls when you bayonet someone.”
    • “The community is also hilarious and helpful, and when you get a squad leader who yells 'fix bayonets' and 'charge,' you'll never forget that experience.”
    • “It is not funny when your player keeps grabbing ammunition every five seconds out of thin air.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant time investment, often described as requiring "a second life" to manage effectively. While some players appreciate the game's balance between arcade-like speed and the tediousness of larger titles, others find the grinding aspect to be overly repetitive and detracting from overall enjoyment.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A single fire bolt action rifle that you have to manually bolt is tedious to play with.”
    • “On the one hand, the reliance on grinding bodies into the frontlines and winning through sheer volume does recreate the atmosphere of WW1, but on the other hand, faithful recreation does not equate to satisfying gameplay.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, with some feeling heartbroken over its low player count and the overall state of its community. The gameplay evokes strong feelings, ranging from sorrow and empathy to exhilaration and guilt, particularly in moments of intense combat that blur the lines between player and enemy. Overall, the emotional experience is complex, combining feelings of loss, authenticity, and moral conflict.

    • “First hour made me want to cry and go home before Christmas.”
    • “This game made me feel like a guidance counselor.”
    • “Slicing through three doughboys with an infantry sabre made me feel both terrible and incredible.”
  • replayability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the replayability of the game to be variable; while some appreciate the communication mechanics that enhance the experience, others feel that the lack of excitement and content limits its long-term appeal. Suggestions for additional vehicles, weapons, and building mechanics indicate a desire for more depth to increase replay value.

    • “🔲 Infinitely replayable.”
    • “Fun game, its replay value is pretty high... love to see more vehicles and weapons; even some basic building would be amazing... overall, it's a fun game and has accuracy that's important for those long shots.”
    • “In summary, I didn't find the conflict and exchange of action providing enough excitement to elicit replayability.”
    • “Of the few WW1 FPS games that exist, the mechanics aren't quite as butchered as Verdun, but Battlefield 1 was more playable and populated (ignoring the fact that like Battlefield 2 it'll probably get shut down).”
    • “However, for me it is the communication which makes this game so replayable.”
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6h Median play time
69h Average play time
3-30h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs
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