GROUND BRANCH

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"Ground Branch" is a tactical, realistic shooter game where players join the elite paramilitary arm of the CIA's Special Activities Center/Special Operations Group and lead other special operations forces on deniable ops worldwide. The game features a unique "True First-Person System" for enhanced world immersion and awareness, and runs on the Unreal Engine 4 for a true-to-life tactical experience. Players must approach gameplay with caution and strategy, as the game is deliberately unforgiving with its calculated and challenging mechanics.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,063 reviews

gameplay480 positive mentions

optimization57 negative mentions

gameplay
1,326 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ground Branch" is characterized by its emphasis on realism and tactical mechanics, offering a blend of immersive gunplay and extensive weapon customization. While many players appreciate the depth and strategic nature of the gameplay, criticisms arise regarding the lack of content, repetitive gameplay loops, and AI performance, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite being in early access, the game shows promise with its solid mechanics and potential for future updates, appealing primarily to fans of slow-paced, methodical shooters.
- “Gameplay is very immersive and realistic, but there's no coop bots.”
- “Very engaging tactical gameplay, the AI is well crafted and the gunplay is superb.”
- “The gameplay is fun, it feels great to shoot, and the AI is pretty good too.”
- “This game has been in early access since I was starting in middle school and they don't even have basic shooting mechanics like gun recoil implemented... oh but thank god they let you change your ready stance with the scroll wheel!”
- “Instead, it feels like a hollow marketing tactic, promising gameplay that simply doesn’t exist.”
- “The gameplay loop becomes very boring very quickly; I would definitely give this a lot more time in the oven, seeing as it is in early access.”
graphics
706 mentions
40 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are decent and provide a solid atmosphere, they often feel dated compared to modern titles. Some users appreciate the attention to detail in weapon and environment design, while others criticize the visuals for being pixelated or lacking clarity, especially at longer distances. Overall, the graphics are seen as a work in progress, with potential for improvement as the game continues to develop.
- “The graphics and environments are solid, providing a gritty, immersive atmosphere that complements the gameplay.”
- “The graphics are astounding and the gameplay tactical and as fast as you want to make it.”
- “The game has beautiful graphics and unlimited customization for not only your gun but your operator as well.”
- “Graphics lighting and textures are dated (looks like some of my old Rainbow Six games).”
- “The graphics are outdated and the AI.”
- “The game looks average, like a game from late 2012-early 2013, the graphics are not mind-boggling but enough to get the job done, however it makes me wonder that such an average quality game has framerate issues plaguing its gameplay.”
story
631 mentions
12 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many players noting that there is no overarching narrative or context to the missions, making the gameplay feel hollow and repetitive. While some express hope for future campaign modes or story-driven missions, the current focus remains on tactical gameplay and customization without any meaningful progression or lore. Overall, players find the lack of a compelling story detracts from the immersive experience they desire in a tactical shooter.
- “To be fair, I didn’t expect a full-fledged campaign, but I was hoping for at least some sense of progression or context—something to make the missions feel meaningful rather than just shooting at randomly placed enemies.”
- “A little more personality—be it weather effects, storytelling elements, or just anything to make the environments stand out—would go a long way.”
- “I hope they make a campaign or story-oriented co-op missions with this game.”
- “There's no campaign, in-depth mission structure, mission planning, or AI teammates.”
- “There's no story, lore, or progression that comes from doing missions; basically, you gain nothing from playing.”
- “There's only a couple of missions I've seen for PvE (collect item or kill everyone missions), which would be cool if the AI was better.”
optimization
300 mentions
18 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over persistent performance issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users note improvements in optimization over time, particularly with recent updates, others argue that the game remains poorly optimized for its current state, especially given its long time in early access. Overall, while there are moments of good performance, significant optimization work is still needed to enhance the gaming experience for a broader range of hardware.
- “In conclusion, great game with surprising optimization and fun gameplay.”
- “The game has benefited from several patches, including some dedicated to optimization and is much smoother than during its initial release phase.”
- “This game is very well put together, impressed with its optimization so far, graphics are on point, movement is good and some missions are the dogs dangly bits like bin laden compound.”
- “I get that it's 'early access', but it's been like that for years and the developers should have optimized the game by now.”
- “The game itself is simple enough, however it is just very poorly optimized, whether it be the stuttering FPS which plagues it, which I suspect is memory leakage, or the grainy ads picture for most magnified optics, which messing around in settings does absolutely nothing.”
- “The main issue is that it's severely unoptimized.”
stability
157 mentions
6 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting it as "buggy" and "clunky," particularly in its early access state. While some players find it enjoyable and playable despite these issues, many express frustration over glitches, AI problems, and performance inconsistencies. Overall, while the game shows potential, it requires substantial improvements to reach a more polished and stable experience.
- “The game runs great on a low-end system and the content doesn't get stale.”
- “So well polished, runs great.”
- “- no framerate drops, no freezes, no server-side lag spikes, no desync, and (so far) no hackers.”
- “The game is buggy, but don't think of Fallout 76 kind of bugs; the bugs in this game are smaller and rarer to come across, yet still annoying.”
- “Game freezes every time I load into a friend's game, or it kicks me out every 5 minutes, unplayable.”
- “Ground Branch has been nothing but a featureless, buggy, and laggy gun-building operator RPG simulator for the past 5 years.”
replayability
70 mentions
29 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players praising the game's potential for high replay value due to features like randomized objectives, varied enemy placements, and extensive customization options. However, many others express frustration over limited content, repetitive gameplay, and AI issues, which significantly hinder long-term replayability. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, the game currently struggles to maintain player interest over time.
- “There is endless replayability and it has more features and configurations than the original tactical shooting games of our past, plus Steam Workshop integration!”
- “The inclusion of this co-op mode significantly enhances the game's replayability, offering a much-needed space for friends to have fun together without the issues that come with PvP.”
- “Each of these maps has different potential insertion points and enemy spawns have a degree of randomization to them, so the replayability of each map is extremely high when you also factor in the ability to change the time of day, weather, and even fine-tune the specifics of the enemy AI.”
- “Its replayability is pretty much zero.”
- “There are limited maps, missions, and game modes, which can lead to repetitive gameplay and reduced replayability after spending many hours in the game.”
- “The replayability is not there; all you do is shoot at people, collect this object, do that, all on the same maps.”
humor
70 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. The combination of absurd loadouts, comical AI behavior, and funny voice lines contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it enjoyable even amidst the game's tactical elements. Overall, the community's interactions and the game's quirky mechanics create a fun and entertaining experience.
- “Great game, funny attachment placement options.”
- “Also really fun to mess around with friends in private death match and the animations are hilarious.”
- “The voice lines on the AI are pretty funny though.”
monetization
64 mentions
6 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of monetization, with no microtransactions, DLC, or pay-to-win mechanics, allowing players to enjoy full access to customization and gameplay without additional costs. However, some users express concerns about the game's performance and optimization, suggesting that while it avoids cash-grab tactics, it may still feel incomplete or underdeveloped. Overall, the absence of monetization is seen as a significant positive aspect, contributing to a more authentic gaming experience.
- “There's no progression, microtransactions, or any of that nonsense.”
- “No microtransactions, no 'unlocks', no nonsense, at an extremely fair price.”
- “With buying the game, everything else comes already unlocked - for free, no need for microtransactions, which is nice.”
- “It's a cash grab and nothing more.”
- “Currently it just feels like a cash grab for a product that will more than likely never get finished.”
- “My guess is this is another early release cash grab that will get abandoned over the course of time once they determined they made enough money and or get bored.”
grinding
63 mentions
8 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
37 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game features minimal to no grinding, allowing players to access all content and equipment from the start without tedious unlocks. While some players appreciate this approach for its accessibility, others find the gameplay can still feel tedious and unengaging. Overall, the lack of grinding is seen as a positive aspect, particularly for those seeking a more straightforward experience.
- “No grinding, no leveling.”
- “You can trial all of them from the start, so no grinding to unlock anything.”
- “There's no skills to unlock, no grinding for equipment, no pay-to-win.”
- “If you want to see how many different operators you can build without painstakingly grinding for gear in Tarkov, then this is for you.”
- “If you are looking for a Call of Duty or Battlefield experience with level grinding and unlocks, then this is not the game for you.”
- “The negatives: the development of this game is slow and tedious, and that is being gentle to the dev team.”
atmosphere
41 mentions
41 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its immersive and intense environments, enhanced by solid graphics, dynamic lighting, and sound design that contribute to a realistic experience. However, others criticize certain maps for feeling bland and lifeless, lacking the depth and variety needed to create a truly engaging atmosphere. Overall, while the game shows potential for a compelling atmosphere, it currently suffers from inconsistencies that detract from the overall immersion.
- “One of the best things about Ground Branch is the intense, immersive atmosphere.”
- “The attention to detail in the terrain, structures, and lighting elevates the overall atmosphere, immersing players in a world that feels tangible and authentic.”
- “The sound design and atmosphere the game already has in place is amazing, for both the guns and ambient map noise, which really sets the mood for jumpscares.”
- “The maps feel extremely dead and silent, bland or otherwise lacking atmosphere.”
- “The bones for a solid tactical shooter are there; however, the game feels like a prototype, levels feel very bare and there is a lack of atmosphere to them, they don't feel like real places.”
- “This game will fail 100% - games like this need atmosphere beyond the guns - this is a concept demonstration.”
music
26 mentions
15 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect is widely criticized for its lack of a substantial soundtrack and ambient sounds, leading to a sterile and lifeless experience. Players note that aside from the main menu music, there is little to no in-game music or sound effects, which detracts from immersion and excitement. Many reviewers express a desire for a more engaging audio experience, suggesting that the addition of a unique soundtrack could significantly enhance gameplay.
- “The soundtrack, the feeling of duty to the planned mission and your team, and the levels were just perfect.”
- “The menu music is great.”
- “It's like the game's soundtrack is a DJ that only starts playing when the guns do.”
- “There's no music score or anything like that aside from the main menu music, so get used to a lot of silence.”
- “The game has no soundtrack and ambient noise; it makes the game almost feel sterile and lifeless.”
- “I understand the hardcore simulator-like approach, but as there is no music, no voice acting, mission briefings, background story, interesting ambient sounds, or anything that gave it some life, everything feels somehow empty, dead, and meaningless.”
emotional
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a range of emotions regarding the game, from nostalgia and happiness to frustration over technical issues. The community is highlighted as a positive aspect, fostering a wholesome environment that enhances the overall experience. The game's realistic mechanics evoke a sense of immersion and tactical engagement, contributing to a deep emotional connection for many players.
- “The community of this game is wholesome.”
- “It's realistic and the community is wholesome as well.”
- “It's been a very long time since a game has made me feel this way, very happy customer.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the reviews highlight impressive level, weapon, and character design, they do not provide specific insights into character development, suggesting that this aspect may not be a focal point of the game.