Dirty Bomb
- June 1, 2015
- Splash Damage
- 25h median play time
Get on Steam"Dirty Bomb" is a fast-paced, challenging first-person shooter that demands skilled play and quick reflexes. Offering no aim assist or controller support, the game drops you into intense team-based battles where survival depends on your ability to work together and outsmart opponents. With a focus on strategic gameplay and tactical teamwork, "Dirty Bomb" is a must-play for FPS fans seeking a genuine challenge.
PC
Windows
Cloud
Reviews
- gameplay3,696 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dirty Bomb is characterized by its fast-paced, objective-based mechanics that blend elements from various popular shooters like Team Fortress 2 and Call of Duty. Players appreciate the tactical depth provided by diverse mercenaries, each with unique abilities, which encourages teamwork and strategic play. However, some users express concerns about balance issues, grindy progression systems, and the impact of microtransactions on gameplay, suggesting that while the core mechanics are solid and enjoyable, the overall experience can be marred by these factors.
“I love this game, very fast gameplay but at the same time very tactical; you need to work with your teammates to get a win or you get clapped.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and objective-based, which is something hard to come by in newer generation games.”
“The gameplay is fun, fast-paced, and combines elements of classic FPS games with MOBA character abilities.”
“The gameplay was there but the monetization and just pure greed on display that bleed the community of players faster than you can say 'did EA publish this?' made me drop it.”
“The gameplay itself is where Dirty Bomb truly shines, but the lack of support has resulted in several technical problems, bugs, and glitches that have not been addressed, further detracting from the gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, with the amount of players coupled with low cooldowns and instant kill abilities making for a very frustrating gameplay flow.”
- graphics1,476 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Dirty Bomb" are generally praised for their high quality and appealing art style, which blends cartoonish elements with a modern aesthetic. Many players appreciate the game's visuals, noting that they hold up well for a free-to-play title, although some mention that the graphics can feel dated or unoptimized on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are not universally acclaimed, they are often considered a strong point of the game, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience.
“The game's aesthetic is modern and stylized, with an attention to detail that contributes to an immersive and engaging experience.”
“The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is smooth and intuitive.”
“Dirty Bomb is a superb modern game with excellent fast-paced, objective-oriented gameplay, and realistic graphics without being overly harsh on lesser PCs.”
“I tried playing, but the menu is so laggy I had to wait for about 20 seconds to load after every click of the mouse, even though my PC supports this game at more than high graphics.”
“We are unlikely to ever see another update to the game, so we're stuck with 2017 graphics and Unreal Engine 3 for a game that deserved a whole lot more.”
“The graphics look like something from the PS3 era, so it wasn't a great surprise when I noticed it's running in DX9.”
- story696 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 84 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its minimalism, with many users noting the absence of a coherent narrative or single-player campaign. While some characters have backstories, the overall plot is described as weak and lacking depth, primarily revolving around mission-based objectives in a post-apocalyptic London. Players express a desire for more substantial storytelling elements to enhance the gameplay experience, as the current focus is heavily on multiplayer mechanics and mission completion rather than a compelling narrative.
“The story mode is hands down 10/10 and the multiplayer is outstanding. This is one of my top 3 looter shooters at the moment.”
“The fact it had a bit of a story building up with each new map release was also a thing of interest, but unfortunately development stopped before the last two maps could reach a playable state.”
“The characters are great with unique abilities and amazing maps and mission objectives.”
“☑️ no story”
“The story (for what I have played) is not explained very well, but it doesn't need to because the gameplay compensates for it.”
“The game itself doesn't have much of a storyline, which is kind of sad to be honest.”
- grinding570 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as excessive and tedious, requiring significant time investment to unlock characters and loadouts, often leading to frustration among players. While some find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, many reviews highlight that it can feel overwhelming, especially for new players, and that the game leans towards a "pay-to-skip" model, where spending real money can expedite progress. Overall, the consensus is that while the game is fun, the grinding can detract from the overall experience.
“The game is awesome, the learning curve is comprehensive and easy to master. The game modes are fun, and leveling is rewarding, not tedious.”
“The real trick isn't grinding to get all the mercs, but knowing which ones not to unlock because they don't suit your playstyle or you just won't find them fun.”
“It's free; yes, it costs a bit of money to buy your favorite characters if you don't have the patience to farm the coins. However, if you spend enough time playing with what you're given, you come to appreciate what certain characters can do and can easily find one that will suit your playstyle.”
“To complete unlock the other mercs, and also to unlock all the achievements, you will need way too much grinding.”
“It's boring, repetitive, and very, very grindy.”
“The grinding is really draining and boring, a lot of people rage quit, disconnect, or don't even do anything, just sit and get kicked.”
- optimization485 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on low-end systems and others reporting significant issues such as frame drops, stuttering, and lag, particularly during intense gameplay. While many users noted improvements following updates, others still experienced poor optimization, especially on older hardware, leading to frustration. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further optimization to enhance the experience for a broader range of players.
“The game is very dynamic, good optimization, but the community of the Russian population do not behave very ethically.”
“Extremely well optimized.”
“The game runs smoothly, it has excellent optimization with plenty of options.”
“Very poorly optimized, full of cheaters, not friendly to lower-end PCs, very dead with a minimalist player count, full of free-to-play garbage, only a handful of mercs at the start, weapons that spray wildly at anything and everything, gameplay too fast-paced and enemy players too good for you to take your time, crouch and aim to actually hit anything.”
“Fps drops with any movement, stuttering like crazy, menu even stutters and lags takes the game an extra 15 seconds to catch up to what I'm trying to click, unplayable in the state it's in.”
“The optimization on this game is downright deplorable, the assets, textures etc. load well but the game lags on Vsync on a PC which runs FIFA on medium-high graphics at 60+ fps.”
- monetization409 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has undergone significant changes, transitioning from a heavily criticized system with numerous microtransactions to a more player-friendly approach where all content can now be unlocked through gameplay without spending real money. While some players appreciate the removal of pay-to-win elements and the ability to earn everything through in-game currency, others express concerns about the game's previous monetization practices and the lack of ongoing support from developers. Overall, the current model is seen as fair, with no significant advantages for paying players, but the game's future remains uncertain due to its limited content and marketing efforts.
“Everything in the game can be unlocked by simply playing it and there are virtually no microtransactions: anything you can purchase is cosmetic (unlike pay-to-win items in other games) and you have no obligation: everything in the game can be earned fairly quickly just by playing.”
“The game is not pay to win, however there are some microtransactions. The microtransactions are balanced and well-implemented.”
“Dirty Bomb is a great free-to-play FPS that does include in-game purchases, but there is no paywall, and the game is just as fun when you don't spend money.”
“The gameplay was there, but the monetization and pure greed on display that bleed the community of players faster than you can say 'Did EA publish this?' made me drop it.”
“The monetization scheme is just too predatory, and I don't want any part of it.”
“This game would be solid enough to justify a $15 - $20 price tag if it had no microtransactions.”
- stability334 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly during matchmaking and loading screens. While some users note that the game runs well and is enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over frequent crashes and unresponsive menus. Overall, the game is seen as a work in progress, with ongoing stability concerns that detract from the overall experience.
“It is complete and compared to many other games that are discontinued, it is for the most part mostly a bug-free experience.”
“I have encountered no glitches, making it hard to believe that this is, in fact, still in beta.”
“Gameplay in open beta is more solid and bug-free than most AAA titles at full launch... ggwp”
“This game is currently a buggy, poorly optimized piece of trash that also has several issues with matchmaking and character balancing.”
“It crashes more often than it works, it deleted my loadout cards, the game usually just freezes and stops responding. All in all, it's got potential, but it's buggier than DayZ at this point.”
“The game is very buggy, it constantly kicks me to the main menu, and it kicked me for game security of some sort.”
- humor269 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the funny voice lines, quirky character interactions, and humorous gameplay moments. Many reviews highlight the diverse and charming cast of characters, each contributing to the game's comedic atmosphere, making it a fun experience even amidst competitive play. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the fast-paced action, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The characters are diverse in a natural feeling way, and very interesting for the most part - as well as the voice acting being funny yet not annoyingly quirky.”
“This game has it all: graphics, gameplay, maps, guns, grenades, and funny things implemented... I award thee ten out of ten and I hope to see greatness come from this game.”
“The characters are all unique, funny, and diverse.”
“This has got to be one of the most toxic, unfunny communities I've seen, and I've seen the CS:GO and MOBA communities.”
“I like the game but in most games I will join and I will die to a level 44 or higher, then I get called a noob for dying, so that is the only point that bugs me. I find this funny; on the trailer it says (don't be a dick), but no one follows that.”
- music68 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in "Dirty Bomb" receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the dynamic soundtrack that enhances the game's immersive atmosphere, while others criticize it for being bland and lacking a distinct identity. Sound effects, particularly those related to combat, are generally well-received, contributing to the game's intensity. Overall, while some players find the music enjoyable and fitting, others feel it could be significantly improved.
“The soundtrack of 'Dirty Bomb®' is effective in creating an immersive and energetic atmosphere.”
“The background music is dynamic and fits the pace of the battles, while the sound effects, such as gunshots, explosions, and character abilities, are well-produced and help convey the intensity of the combat.”
“The music, sound effects, and narrator all fit the theme of the game!”
“Music: 2/10 bad, did Limp Bizkit create this game's soundtrack with a $30 budget?”
“The music and intros prior to every match get extremely annoying after the first few times.”
“There is a lack of an identity to the OST that this game has.”
- character development41 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and visually appealing character designs, which many players find engaging and well-integrated with gameplay mechanics. While the aesthetics and lore are praised, some reviews express concerns about balance issues and gameplay execution, suggesting that the character design, though strong, is not enough to compensate for broader gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the character design is seen as a significant strength, contributing to the game's potential despite criticisms of its balance and map design.
“The character design and their play styles make them really fun.”
“Character design is great and unique, with interesting skillsets, appearances, and voice lines.”
“Solid shooting mechanics, creative character abilities, moba-esque character design, and a heavy focus on teamwork make this game stand out in the FPS genre.”
“Horrible balance, weak and uninspired character design, and a distinct lack of passion for the game are what Dirty Bomb has turned into in the past few months, perhaps even the past year.”
“The gameplay is poor along with the character ideas and character design.”
“Although most of the voice work, character design, and lore is incredibly cringy, the balance and map design along with the team synergy leads to a game that feels like it's bursting with potential for a competitive community.”
- replayability40 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its diverse player roles, engaging gameplay mechanics, and the variety of mercs available, which keeps the experience fresh. However, some players noted limitations in map variety and game modes, which can hinder long-term engagement. Despite these drawbacks, many still find it enjoyable and worth revisiting, especially considering its free-to-play model.
“Very fun game with a solid amount of replay value.”
“Love the game, lots of replayability, and never have to buy anything with real money to progress or succeed.”
“Extremely fun and large replay value in this free-to-play shooter.”
“Seriously good game when it had a pulse, now it's dead (no longer updated). I can only look back at the memes and memories I had during my time played; so much potential, but without the party system, it lost all replay value.”
“Replayability is low because of a small map pool.”
“Only 2 game modes and 5 maps currently that are playable.”
- atmosphere35 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Dirty Bomb®" is widely praised for its immersive and energetic soundtrack, fun character design, and a generally welcoming community, especially in lower-level servers. While many players enjoy the casual and competitive elements, some express concerns about toxicity and imbalance affecting the overall experience. The game's unique visual style and setting contribute to a compelling atmosphere, though some feel it could benefit from more diverse maps and balanced gameplay.
“The soundtrack of 'Dirty Bomb®' is effective in creating an immersive and energetic atmosphere.”
“This game makes you want to come for more not only because of the daily objectives and daily rewards but also because of its competitive and fun atmosphere.”
“The gameplay is really fast-paced and the atmosphere of the game is set really well.”
“The net result typically is a toxic atmosphere, a boring match and wasted time.”
“The current atmosphere of the free-to-play model, which inhibits a diversity of characters, is definitely an unappealing concept.”
“Classes are unbalanced as hell, making an unbalanced atmosphere for gaming.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, describing it as a bittersweet experience that evokes feelings of nostalgia, heartbreak, and frustration. Many feel a sense of loss as the game's decline mirrors the end of a meaningful relationship, while others grapple with the emotional highs and lows of gameplay, from joy to despair. Overall, the game's impact is profound, leaving players feeling both attached and disillusioned.
“Parting with this game feels like parting with my least toxic, otherwise very wholesome ex-girlfriend.”
“The death of Dirty Bomb is genuinely heartbreaking; it was and still is unmatched today.”
“Yes, I did not spend a dime on your game because it happened to me and I am sure to many other players with a multiplayer-only game that we loved and spent time and money on. After some time, it died, and it was just simply over, dead, finito, etc., which is sad, and many of us feel as if we were financially and emotionally ripped.”
“The storyline is boring; I don't think it has any emotional depth.”
“I felt no connection to the characters or their struggles.”
“The game failed to evoke any real emotions; it felt flat and uninspired.”
