Black Squad
- June 26, 2019
- NS STUDIO
- 59h median play time
Get on Steam"Black Squad is a free-to-play, first-person-shooter military game that offers a massively multiplayer experience with 10 different modes. It boasts great shooting mechanics, dedicated servers, and Battleye support for a smooth and fair gameplay. Earn currency in matches to unlock new weapons and characters."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- gameplay1,719 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Black Squad is characterized by its fast-paced, tactical team-based mechanics reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty. While many players appreciate the solid gunplay, diverse game modes, and smooth performance, some criticize the repetitive nature of gameplay and dated mechanics that lack innovation. Additionally, issues such as a declining player base, rampant cheating, and a focus on cosmetic microtransactions detract from the overall experience, making it a mixed bag for both casual and competitive players.
“Tactical gameplay: team-based mechanics and modes encourage strategic thinking and coordination.”
“The gameplay feels polished, and the matches are fast-paced and engaging.”
“With polished graphics and responsive controls, the game offers a satisfying mix of intense gunplay and strategic gameplay.”
“Repetitive gameplay: modes and maps, while varied, can feel monotonous over extended play sessions.”
“Dated mechanics: while solid, the core gameplay doesn’t innovate much, feeling similar to older FPS titles.”
“The gameplay is generally quick-paced and requires little skill to play.”
- graphics1,336 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as decent, with many players noting that they are optimized for smooth performance even on mid-tier systems. While some reviews highlight the visuals as impressive for a free-to-play title, others criticize them as outdated compared to current AAA games, suggesting that they lack originality and polish. Overall, the graphics are considered satisfactory for casual play, but there is a consensus that they could benefit from updates to enhance their quality and appeal.
“The graphics are impressive, and the gunplay feels satisfying.”
“With its tight gunplay, diverse content, and stunning visuals, it stands as a shining example of what a free-to-play FPS can achieve.”
“The graphics are stunning, the controls are responsive, and the variety of weapons and customization options add depth to the gameplay.”
“The community has died down, cheaters have become more rampant, and the graphics no longer hold up as well as they did 6 years ago. A lot of better free-to-play games have come out, which have better anti-cheat, better graphics, better and more balanced gameplay, and an actual living player base.”
“More like 'bland squad.' With graphics as sharp as a spoon and a plot thinner than bargain bin toilet paper, it's a real snoozefest.”
“The graphics are very simple and definitely outdated, which is a con to some and a pro to those with a low-end PC.”
- optimization250 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including lower-end systems, while others report significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and poor server performance. Many users express frustration over the game's optimization, citing it as a major drawback despite its decent graphics and gameplay mechanics. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, a substantial number highlight the need for further improvements to enhance the gaming experience.
“Decent graphics and performance: optimized visuals ensure smooth gameplay, even on mid-tier systems.”
“Additionally, the game runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, ensuring that even players with modest PC setups can enjoy a lag-free experience.”
“The game is pretty well optimized, and the friend system is a little confusing at first, but just google it and you'll be fine.”
“Very poorly optimized.”
“The game optimization is utter crap.”
“Black Squad is dead; the golden era of Black Squad is over. The game had everything to be great, but the developers didn't care about performance and engine improvements and focused on skins.”
- monetization211 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 53 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is primarily free-to-play, allowing players to enjoy the experience without mandatory spending, though it features numerous microtransactions for cosmetic items and weapon skins. While many reviews highlight that the game avoids a strict pay-to-win structure, concerns about excessive monetization practices, such as loot boxes and rental systems for weapons, have led to perceptions of it being a cash grab. Overall, players appreciate the option to earn items through gameplay, but many express frustration over the intrusive nature of microtransactions and the lack of meaningful content updates.
“The progression system is well-balanced, and while there are in-game purchases, they don’t feel intrusive or pay-to-win, which is a rarity in the genre.”
“In-game purchases primarily revolve around cosmetic items, allowing players to customize their characters and weapons without impacting the overall balance of the game.”
“Microtransactions are cosmetic only; no one weapon is overpowered in my experience.”
“The box system is a reprehensible cash grab that unapologetically peddles power to the highest bidder.”
“Re-visited this 'game' and found out that it became the biggest cash grab of all time with trillions of microtransactions and RNG boxes, barely has content where you can buy straight from the shop.”
“This is just a cash grab in order to get the Korean version pumping again.”
- story206 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and originality, with many reviewers describing it as generic or non-existent. While some players appreciate the world-building and engaging side quests, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, as many express a desire for a more substantial narrative or single-player content. Overall, the story is often seen as secondary to gameplay, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience.
“This game strikes a perfect balance between story-driven and action-packed gameplay.”
“The game's world-building is unparalleled; every location has a story to tell.”
“I've never been so emotionally invested in a game's story before.”
“However, it lacks originality, with graphics and story feeling generic.”
“More like 'bland squad.' With graphics as sharp as a spoon and a plot thinner than bargain bin toilet paper, it's a real snoozefest.”
“No real story to it and god forbid they take some time for the graphic improvements.”
- grinding139 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 79 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that it can be excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring a significant investment of hours to unlock weapons and skins. While some find the grinding enjoyable and manageable, others criticize the frequent introduction of new currencies that devalue previous efforts, as well as the presence of paywalls that can make essential items feel out of reach without spending real money. Overall, the experience varies widely, with some players appreciating the challenge and others feeling overwhelmed by the grind.
“No grinding for guns, but for skins - grind.”
“Not too grindy to get those free weapons.”
“I only had 27 hours in this game, and I got a bunch of guns already, all permanent, so you know it's not grindy at all.”
“They keep adding new in-game currencies to make the ones you've already wasted time grinding for worthless.”
“Unfortunately, the 'free to play' aspect in this one shines heavy because a lot of important stuff like weapons and classes are hidden behind a paywall or an extreme amount of grinding time for something so simple.”
“The single redeeming feature of this game is the detailed gun models, which isn't even that big of a deal because you'll only be able to own two or three of these guns (besides the default three) before running out of currency and grinding TDM lobbies full of wall hackers and poor sports.”
- stability139 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some players note that it runs well on lower-end hardware, many others express frustration over persistent glitches and lag, particularly during critical moments like loading screens or in-game actions. Overall, the game's stability issues significantly detract from the experience, leading to a mixed reception among players.
“Good game with no glitches or bugs.”
“Runs great, plays great, it's free.”
“If you want a fun free-to-play shooter that runs great on older hardware, then this game is for you.”
“Game freezes for 10+ seconds from time to time, because it has such excellent optimization that even GTA 5 doesn't have (GTA 5 only stutters for about 0.1 seconds).”
“It freezes really often when launched in 64 bits, and crashes if you try to stay in a lobby after a game finishes when run in 32 bits (but at least it freezes less frequently... which shouldn't happen at all, god damnit).”
“The biggest complaint that I have is the game's tendency to freeze while in the menu, which leads to me having to close it through the task manager and then not being able to log in again because 'I'm already logged in' because I didn't close it properly; this is very annoying as it freezes quite often for me.”
- humor102 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players finding enjoyment in its absurdities, glitches, and quirky mechanics. Many reviews note that the game is "hilariously bad" or "funny" in a way that makes it enjoyable, despite its flaws, while others appreciate the comedic elements in gameplay and community interactions. Overall, the humor serves as a significant aspect that enhances the gaming experience, making it a lighthearted choice for players looking for fun rather than seriousness.
“Actually, it's a good game; it's like an old mobile game, but it's very funny and enjoyable.”
“It's hilarious. The gameplay is fun, but you constantly play against cheaters at the higher end of competitive, and it quite frankly gets annoying if you play against obvious cheaters and 'funny' players.”
“Overall, it's a really funny game; I enjoyed playing it a lot, with and without friends!”
- music93 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it immersive and enjoyable, while others describe it as repetitive and annoying. Many appreciate the lobby music and certain tracks, particularly in the rock/metal genre, but criticize the main menu music for being chaotic and overwhelming. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, though it could benefit from more variety and improved quality.
“The soundtrack in this game is so immersive; I find myself humming the tunes all day.”
“Additionally, the game features an exciting soundtrack that helps to increase immersion.”
“The smoothness is just great.. the sound is just top, the footsteps, the moment when you kill someone, even the music in the menus :)”
“The music is annoying, like, really annoying.”
“The bad news is that you will find Black Squad’s soundtrack repetitive and boring.”
“There's only 2 songs which are horrible.”
- replayability25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse arsenal, a variety of maps, and multiple game modes, with many players expressing a strong desire to return for more. However, some criticisms arise regarding static spawns and grindy mechanics that can detract from the experience. While many appreciate the free-to-play model and consistent updates, others feel that the lack of customization options without microtransactions limits long-term engagement.
“Thanks to the consistent updates and a variety of game modes, BlackSquad has incredible replay value.”
“The game's replayability is off the charts; I keep coming back for more.”
“Guns feel powerful, movement feels swift, and the variety of game modes give a solid amount of replay value.”
“The spawns in the maps are 100% static, and many maps are an exact mirror from one side to the other; this doesn't really aid replayability, and spawn camping can be an issue... mostly in the big game mode with classes, where an airstrike can be placed right at spawn, so anyone not in the 3-second invulnerability dies right after spawning with no possible counter.”
“- no replayability - as much as I appreciate the lack of pay-to-win, it still has all of those annoying features designed to make you dedicate your life (and cash) towards only playing this game.”
“Def don't have a whole lot of replayability for me due to lack of customization (without paying microtransactions).”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game's story, with some recounting personal experiences that resonate with the game's themes. However, frustrations with technical issues and gameplay mechanics lead to a strong aversion, with several users vowing never to return. Overall, while the game evokes significant emotional responses, its shortcomings detract from the overall experience.
“I've never been so emotionally invested in a game's story before.”
“Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
“After years of playing, this is the only game that made me feel.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a mix of competitive energy and community engagement, with strong clan presence and varied player experiences. While some players appreciate the crisp graphics and challenging gameplay, others criticize the prevalence of campers and cheaters, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the atmosphere in zombie maps is expected to be dark and creepy, enhancing the tension and excitement.
“Crispy graphics, interesting gameplay, challenging atmosphere… for me, it was a great experience.”
“The community atmosphere isn't as toxic as I thought it would be, but there are exceptions.”
“I also enjoy the fast-paced atmosphere, giving players with skillful aiming an edge.”
“Conclusion: stupidly easy shooting, campers in every lobby, and a very bad general atmosphere.”
“The game itself is nicely set up and has fantastic graphics, only cheaters and hackers ruin the atmosphere in the game.”
“Zombie maps should have a dark and creepy atmosphere just like in AVA; the zombies are mutated soldiers (just like in Crossfire) or similar to the zombies in Counter-Strike Nexon Zombies.”
- character development4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and ability to foster strong connections with players, highlighting well-crafted narratives. However, some criticism arises from the limited character design options, featuring only eight preset characters and lacking customization.
“The character development in this game is so well-crafted; you really connect with them.”
“Character design is the most basic I have seen with 8 preset characters, no custom clothing loadouts.”
