Gray Zone Warfare

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 32,047 reviews
  • optimization
  • gameplay
  • story
Gray Zone Warfare Game Cover
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"Gray Zone Warfare" is a tactical FPS set in a quarantined Southeast Asian island, where players can explore, uncover secrets, and participate in high-stakes fights. The game features realistic ballistic simulation, and highly customizable weapons. Equipment is added to your character after every game reset, with types of equipment subject to change in future resets. Editions are upgradable, allowing users to pay only the difference when upgrading.

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Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 32,047 reviews
gameplay1,046 positive mentions
optimization1,818 negative mentions
  • optimization6,982 mentions

    The optimization of "Gray Zone Warfare" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance through various tweaks, the general consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization to be playable for a broader audience, particularly those with mid-range or older hardware. Despite these challenges, many players express optimism for future updates and improvements from the developers.

    • “I believe the devs are dedicated to smart, methodical updates, optimizations, and community-conscious improvements.”
    • “Despite the performance issues, I really enjoy this game and think it will make great advancements in the near future.”
    • “The game has a solid foundation and the performance is commendable, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience throughout.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized, rendering it unplayable even on low graphic settings.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess, it has poor performance optimization, it doesn't look the best.”
    • “The performance issues are so pronounced that they overshadow any potential enjoyment the game might offer.”
  • gameplay2,710 mentions

    The gameplay of "Gray Zone Warfare" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its core mechanics and immersive environment while also highlighting significant performance issues and bugs. The game features a tactical gameplay loop reminiscent of titles like "Escape from Tarkov," combining elements of looting, extraction, and cooperative play, but suffers from server lag, AI inconsistencies, and a lack of variety in missions. Overall, while the foundation for engaging gameplay is present, players are advised to wait for further optimizations and content updates before fully committing to the experience.

    • “The tactical gameplay feels intuitive yet deep, blending survival, combat, and strategy perfectly.”
    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly engaging, and despite being in early access, it's challenging to critique.”
    • “The immersive environment, the dynamic gameplay, it all adds up to an unforgettable experience.”
    • “Your reward for leveling up... just a shirt, pants, or hell maybe even some shoes... the things that add nothing of value to your gameplay or character.”
    • “I am trying to love this game so much but its mechanics are so broken.”
    • “The gameplay is dry, tedious, and repetitive; the only thing it really has going for it is it is semi-realistic in some aspects.”
  • story2,491 mentions

    The game's story is primarily driven by a series of repetitive fetch and kill quests, with minimal narrative depth or character development. Players often find themselves engaged in a cycle of completing similar missions, which can lead to a sense of monotony, especially as many quests require specific keys that have low drop rates. While the game offers a rich environment and potential for cooperative gameplay, the lack of a compelling overarching story and the tedious nature of the quests detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The missions are well written, bring you to new and different areas, and can be solved without needing to use a guide.”
    • “The quests feel a bit too linear and i'd rather be sent all over the place instead of the same one over and over until getting sent to the next region, but that's just details, really.”
    • “The quests are interesting and puzzling as well as informative to the game's lore.”
    • “The missions in this game drive the story, but most of them are super time-gated because every person in the squad has to kill 20 people in a town of only 20 people with respawn timers set to 20 minutes.”
    • “The quests are your typical fetch quests or shoot this many people, and they lack depth and variety, making the gameplay feel repetitive.”
    • “The quest descriptions are so vague that you can't do much without looking up where to go; I don't know why they removed the coordinates after the first three quests.”
  • graphics2,290 mentions

    The graphics in "Gray Zone Warfare" are a mixed bag, with many players praising the stunning visuals and attention to detail made possible by Unreal Engine 5. However, the game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to poor performance on a range of hardware, particularly for those using older graphics cards. While some players report smooth gameplay at high settings with powerful rigs, others struggle with low frame rates and blurry textures, especially at longer distances, indicating a need for further graphical refinement and optimization.

    • “The graphics are incredible with Unreal Engine.”
    • “The level of immersion is mind-blowing, with stunning graphics and smart AI that challenge you at every turn.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the controls feel amazing.”
    • “Enemies everywhere so you just get shot in the head while looting and the performance of this game is horrible to say the least. Enemies from over 100 away can barely see them because it's blurry as hell no matter what graphic setting I have it on or get below 40 fps to sharpen everything up. This shouldn't be happening on a 3070ti, which most recent games have performed amazingly for me.”
    • “Graphics are still terrible and grainy and stutters. The devs release gameplay with graphics looking clear and beautiful, but it's not at all what you see when you actually play the game.”
    • “The graphics are a mess, with textures popping in and out and frequent rendering errors.”
  • stability1,411 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, lag, and numerous bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many reviews highlight that while the game shows potential, its current state is riddled with issues typical of early access titles, including poor optimization and frustrating AI behavior. Overall, players recommend waiting for further updates and fixes before investing in the game, as it remains a "buggy mess" at this stage.

    • “The improvements the team has made since launch are awesome and it runs great for me.”
    • “Game runs great on my system, really enjoy the concept, lore and gameplay.”
    • “After hot fixes the game runs great.”
    • “The game is constantly unstable, laggy, buggy as hell, and every time you load up for your first mission of the day make sure you give it like 10 minutes to warm up and stop being choppy.”
    • “Game is not even in an alpha state, don't waste money on a laggy, buggy game.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess.”
  • grinding205 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the tedious and repetitive nature of key farming and quest completion. While some enjoy the cooperative experience and find the grind manageable, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment due to poor drop rates, long wait times, and frequent crashes that can result in lost progress. Overall, the game is seen as needing improvements to its grinding mechanics to enhance player engagement and satisfaction.

    • “The game itself is stunning and the tasks are not tedious for the moment.”
    • “Very detailed environments, I enjoy walking the jungle and exploring; it's not tedious, mechanics of the game work well and have good function, very impressed for EA!”
    • “Gunplay is good and smooth for a milsim, just enough to be fun and not tedious.”
    • “The loot you get kind of sucks for the amount of work you do and the risk you take; the gameplay is dry, tedious, and repetitive. The only thing it really has going for it is that it is semi-realistic in some aspects.”
    • “After countless hours grinding for keys with no luck due to poor game design and horrible drop rates, players are required to wait a ridiculous amount of time for a helicopter for their 'fast' travel system.”
    • “The quests are a little tedious, mostly fetch quests, and the gameplay loop feels very lackluster and becomes stale and tedious very quickly.”
  • monetization195 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many players expressing disappointment over its early access release, which feels rushed and underdeveloped. Users have highlighted the lack of essential features like toggle options for aiming down sights (ADS) and sprinting, alongside performance issues that detract from gameplay. Overall, the sentiment is that the game capitalizes on the current market situation without delivering a polished experience, leading to frustration among players who feel misled by its marketing.

    • “The current state is promising, and with continuous improvements, it could easily rival games like Escape from Tarkov, especially considering the recent criticisms of Tarkov's monetization strategies.”
    • “For $35 with no microtransactions thrown in my face and this game running better at launch than most AAA developers, this game is hands down a steal if you are one for immersion and graphics.”
    • “It also has great potential to offer monetization through customization of cosmetics, maybe gun skins, who knows.”
    • “I'm disappointed that this has turned into another indie cash grab.”
    • “This game feels like another cash grab, promising much but delivering little.”
    • “This game is just a cash grab.”
  • humor135 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying the absurdity of AI behavior, hilarious player interactions, and unexpected glitches. Many reviews mention the comedic value of chaotic situations, such as AI getting stuck or making ridiculous comments, which contribute to a fun and lighthearted gaming experience, especially in cooperative play. Despite performance issues, the community's camaraderie and shared funny moments keep players engaged and entertained.

    • “The hilarious interactions with other faction members, playing duos and squads in PvE with friends, exploring the enormous and absolutely stunning map, and slaughtering countless AI is just good old-fashioned fun.”
    • “I missed my first shot, aggro'd the AI, and he quite literally one-tapped me with his first bullet and put me into a coma; the sheer ridiculousness of the situation just made me laugh my ass off rather than be upset.”
    • “The faction system and VOIP has led to some hilarious and intense interactions.”
    • “The amount of times I've had this stupid game's server just randomly forget my progression mid-game (the timing couldn't be any better while doing my missions) and end up re-doing all my tasks again and again and again and again.....for like the 10th time is honestly not funny at this point.”
    • “That's not funny.”
    • “This game sucks so much; it's not funny. It crashed while I had full gear, and it already happened twice.”
  • atmosphere81 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and attention to detail, creating a rich and engaging environment that enhances gameplay. Players appreciate the balance of intense combat and tactical elements, with many noting the game's ability to evoke a sense of urgency and realism. However, some users have pointed out issues with ambient noise and performance that detract from the overall experience, suggesting room for improvement as the game continues to develop.

    • “The attention to detail in the woodland combat scenarios is particularly notable, providing a thrilling and authentic atmosphere for players who enjoy tactical engagements.”
    • “From the moment you step onto the quarantined island, the game envelops you in a dense, atmospheric experience where every decision carries weight.”
    • “The game delivers on several fronts: the tasks are engaging, the gunplay feels robust and realistic, and the overall atmosphere envelops you in a convincingly immersive milieu that's hard to step away from.”
    • “I understand it's part of the jungle atmosphere, but man, it's ear-piercing. Even if you go underground into a bunker, the sounds persist.”
    • “It tries to present a real atmosphere, but fails; they go so detailed it looks blurry.”
    • “Right now, it lacks atmosphere and depth as well as complexity, but I think this is a title that will be worth keeping your eye on.”
  • replayability64 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its dynamic mission system and branching storylines that promise high replay value, while others criticize the lack of depth and insufficient content. Many reviews highlight ongoing improvements from developers, suggesting that with further updates and optimizations, the game could become significantly more enjoyable and replayable. However, several users recommend waiting until the game is in a more polished state before diving in, as current issues with gameplay and AI detract from the overall experience.

    • “One of the standout features of grayzone warfare is its replayability.”
    • “Replayability is high, thanks to the game's dynamic mission system and branching storylines.”
    • “The branching storylines and morally ambiguous choices add layers of depth and replayability, inviting you to explore the consequences of your actions and forge your own path through the chaos of war.”
    • “The game gets boring after a few hours, which is a real problem because a game of this nature should have replay value.”
    • “The game lacks replayability and the available content seems insufficient.”
    • “Game tasks; actually tried to give it a go, smashed out a lot of tasks, I'm level 20, only tasks are go here, pick this up, drop it off to base, such a wasteful time sink, there's no way these tasks are replayable, having the same tasks at each point of interest is lame.”
  • emotional31 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its gripping narrative and the sense of community among players, fostering wholesome interactions and support, especially in PvE modes. While some players express frustration with technical issues and a lack of emotional depth in gameplay mechanics, many find joy and excitement in the game's design and storytelling. Overall, the emotional experience is mixed, with strong community bonds and moments of heartfelt engagement contrasting with technical shortcomings and gameplay frustrations.

    • “The gripping narrative adds emotional weight, making every choice matter.”
    • “From its flawless gameplay mechanics to its stunning visuals and emotionally resonant storytelling, Grayzone Warfare is a triumph in every sense of the word.”
    • “It was one of the most wholesome shooter experiences I’ve ever taken part in.”
  • music30 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its intensity and thematic relevance, enhancing the overall experience during critical moments. However, some players note that the soundtrack can be infrequent and that the removal of certain tracks has led to mixed feelings, with suggestions for incorporating more Vietnam-era music to enrich gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack complements the action well, there are concerns about its volume and accessibility in the game's settings.

    • “The soundtrack is intense and appropriately thematic, heightening the tension during critical moments.”
    • “The game's soundtrack complements the intense action and strategic planning, with music that dynamically shifts based on the situation.”
    • “Bombing over the treetops in the little bird while listening to Vietnam era music will never not be fun!”
    • “Edit: 2 months later and no updates, just a small hotfix that removed some music.”
    • “There is environmental music but literally without music, which most people do in this game genre, the game is just so sandboxy.”
    • “On first launch, you get taken to a character creation screen with loud obnoxious music and no way to get to the options to turn off the music/mute the audio until you have finished character creation.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in "grayzone warfare" is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, effectively challenging players to reflect on their own beliefs and values. The game features meticulously detailed character designs and realistic animations that enhance the storytelling experience, making the characters feel alive and relatable. Overall, it successfully combines stunning visuals with meaningful character arcs, setting it apart from similar titles.

    • “Through its expertly crafted storytelling and masterful character development, Grayzone Warfare delves into themes that resonate on a deeply personal level, challenging players to confront their own beliefs and values in ways that few games dare to attempt.”
    • “Animations, gunplay, and character development while like Tarkov still feels fresh.”
    • “Character development is lacking and feels superficial.”
    • “The character development is minimal, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “There are few meaningful choices in character development, which limits player engagement.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

15hMedian play time
117hAverage play time
5-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 379 analyzed playthroughs

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