GROUND BRANCH

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,264 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
GROUND BRANCH Game Cover
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From one of the developers behind the original Rainbow Six® and Ghost Recon® games, comes a thinking-man's first-person shooter featuring in-depth character and weapon customization. Take your time. Think ahead. Get the job done.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,264 reviews
gameplay393 positive mentions
optimization42 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,095 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ground Branch" is characterized by its emphasis on realism and tactical mechanics, offering a highly customizable experience with intricate weapon handling and movement systems. While many players appreciate the solid core mechanics and immersive gunplay, they also note a lack of content and variety in gameplay modes, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the game appeals to fans of tactical shooters but may not satisfy those seeking a more casual or action-oriented gameplay style.

    • “The game's emphasis on precision shooting and strategic planning sets it apart from titles that prioritize run-and-gun mechanics.”
    • “Ground Branch goes beyond standard FPS conventions by incorporating realistic bullet penetration and suppression mechanics.”
    • “Its commitment to delivering an authentic military simulation experience sets it apart from mainstream shooters, offering a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience for enthusiasts of the genre.”
    • “Gameplay is incredibly cut and dry; it's primarily just a massive terrorist hunt from R6 with inconsequential secondary objectives. There is no story, just shooting bots.”
    • “The gameplay loop can get pretty boring after some time.”
    • “The realistic and abundant customization of weapons was the device that hooked me into buying this game; however, the gameplay itself is stale, glitchy, and poorly developed.”
  • graphics582 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the solid visuals and attention to detail, particularly in weapon and environment design, while others criticize them as outdated or poorly optimized, reminiscent of earlier gaming eras. Many users note that while the graphics can be impressive at high settings, they often suffer from performance issues and lack clarity at longer distances. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics are decent for an indie title, they still require significant improvements to meet modern standards.

    • “The graphics are fantastic, and the models are highly detailed; the quality is immense, and I enjoy every visual to go along with blasting terrorists left and right.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay feels great.”
    • “This game is amazing; it has really good graphics and gunplay. I really recommend it.”
    • “Not to mention, the graphics look like they're straight out of 2013, and the resolution, textures, and lighting are horrifically optimized.”
    • “The graphics are very raw, but what really causes frustration is definitely the sounds of weapons, the lack of ambiance, and the slow progress time.”
    • “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 why such an average quality game has framerate issues plaguing its gameplay.”
  • story503 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many players noting that there is no overarching narrative or campaign to engage with. While the gameplay offers a variety of tactical missions, such as terrorist hunts and intel retrievals, these lack depth and meaningful context, leading to a repetitive experience. Players express a desire for more structured missions with a storyline or lore to enhance immersion and provide a sense of progression.

    • “I hope they add a story-rich campaign for single player.”
    • “The game is focused on realism and tactical gameplay, with an emphasis on planning and execution of missions.”
    • “This game has incredible potential, I am already thoroughly enjoying the singleplayer gameplay and the devs mentioned they will be adding campaign-based missions, which I can't wait for.”
    • “There is no story, lore, or progression that comes from doing missions; basically, you gain nothing from playing.”
    • “The missions don't really give you enough information on what exactly you are there to do.”
    • “I agree that the overall point of the game seems dull because there really isn't any story or anything to strive for, but that is where you can get creative.”
  • optimization232 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer scenarios and on lower-end systems. While some updates have improved performance and stability, many users still experience lag, stuttering, and inconsistent frame rates, indicating that further optimization is needed. Overall, while there are positive signs of improvement, the game remains largely unoptimized, especially for those with mid-range hardware.

    • “The developers have shown commitment to improving the game based on player feedback, with regular updates that introduce new content, optimizations, and bug fixes.”
    • “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.”
    • “Before this game could barely run on my PC but now, I can run every map on high settings with about 90-100 fps with no stuttering.”
    • “Not to mention graphics look like they're straight outta 2013 and resolution, textures, and lighting are horrifically optimized.”
    • “Main issue is the game is incredibly poorly optimized and runs like sh~t.”
    • “Tldr: don't waste time or money, totally unoptimized pile of garbage.”
  • stability138 mentions

    The game is generally considered to be quite buggy, with numerous glitches and AI issues reported by players, which is expected given its early access status. While some users find the gameplay enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over the lack of significant improvements and the presence of game-breaking bugs. Overall, while the game shows potential, it requires further development to address its stability issues.

    • “So well polished, runs great.”
    • “Runs great on Linux!”
    • “- no framerate drops, no freezes, no serverside lag spikes, no desync, and (so far) no hackers.”
    • “Helmets and plate carriers exist in the game but do not protect the player, the enemy AI needs to be improved, and various bugs and glitches need fixing, yet the developers decided to add prone and new visual effects in the latest update instead of addressing most of these issues.”
    • “The latest update brought very few improvements with AI being the worst part of the game, along with a lack of AI teammates and issues with sounds, rubber banding, graphic glitches, etc. Maybe another year and this will be playable?”
    • “Take 'Ready or Not' for example, it was announced at around the same time, 'Ready or Not' succeeded where 'Ground Branch' failed because the developers actually care about delivering a somewhat finished product; 'Ground Branch' has been nothing but a featureless, buggy, and laggy gun-building operator RPG simulator for the past 5 years.”
  • grinding60 mentions

    Overall, players express that "grinding" in the game is minimal to nonexistent, with all weapons and attachments unlocked from the start, allowing for immediate gameplay without tedious unlocks. However, some find the missions and gameplay experience to be tedious and lacking engagement, suggesting that while grinding is absent, the overall experience may still feel laborious. The game is praised for its realism and tactical elements, but it may not satisfy those looking for a more traditional grind-based progression system.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Easy to jump right into and start playing, there's no skills to unlock, no grinding for equipment, no pay-to-win.”
    • “- Ground branch's maps are horrendously ugly and a plain bore to play due to the tedious and incredibly un-engaging missions.”
    • “The difficulty is well-balanced, and grinding doesn't progress anything.”
    • “Everything about creating your loadouts to loading into matches with your friends is far more tedious and painstaking than it needs to be.”
  • humor55 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the absurdity of various gameplay scenarios, such as creating ridiculous weapon loadouts and experiencing comical AI behavior. Many reviews mention the fun interactions in multiplayer, including hilarious moments from proximity chat and the antics of teammates, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the game's tactical nature. Overall, the combination of funny gameplay elements and a humorous community enhances the enjoyment for players.

    • “This game is very fun, even on my 1GB GPU it still runs. The game has lots of maps and is being updated all the time. When [spoiler] war crimes [/spoiler] come out, it's funny.”
    • “Nice to see different game modes and the PvP aspect. If you go online, though, it's either going to be some fresh military dudes or some 14-year-old faking his deepest voice trying to be 'tacticool,' which is hilarious to see.”
    • “The gun customization is very in-depth and lets you come up with tons of equally funny or practical setups.”
  • replayability52 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its tactical sandbox nature, randomized objectives, and extensive customization options that enhance replay value, especially in multiplayer settings. However, many reviewers express concerns about the limited content, slow updates, and AI issues, which detract from long-term engagement. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, it heavily depends on future updates and improvements to the game's mechanics and content.

    • “There is a lot of replayability; you can set your mission to other maps and make certain specifications to fit your play style.”
    • “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.”
    • “Overall, this is an immensely satisfying and highly replayable game that I think fills a great medium/short range niche right between dedicated short-range room-clearers and longer-range sandboxes.”
    • “Lacks replayability; fun to play from time to time, but not worth the money.”
    • “Unfortunately, the AI is pretty terrible, so replayability suffers.”
    • “I'm aware the game is in early access; however, in its current state, the replayability is incredibly low and there are many much-needed quality of life changes that must be implemented to get the game on par with its competitors.”
  • monetization45 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for being straightforward, with all cosmetics unlocked from the start and no microtransactions or pay-to-win elements, which many players find refreshing. However, some users express concerns that the game feels like a cash grab, suggesting it may not receive the necessary ongoing development to fulfill its potential. Overall, the absence of in-game purchases is a significant positive aspect, contributing to a more immersive and less frustrating experience.

    • “Enjoyed every second of this game: realism, customization, no in-game purchases, etc. Fantastic way to pass the time!”
    • “Pros: shooter simulator + sound + full control of your character + weapon customization + no in-game purchase + fun moments in ready room.”
    • “With buying the game, everything else comes already unlocked - for free, no need for microtransactions, which is nice.”
    • “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.”
    • “Its most impressive feature is the fact that it was an early adopter of getting gullible influencer culture to give your game free advertising for an attachment system that barely changes the gameplay.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with some players praising the immersive and realistic environments enhanced by dynamic lighting and sound design, while others criticize certain maps for feeling bland and lifeless. Although there are moments of intense atmospheric tension, many reviewers feel that the game lacks the depth and variety needed to fully engage players, suggesting that it has potential but currently falls short in creating a vibrant and immersive world. Overall, while the graphics and some elements of sound contribute positively, the atmosphere remains inconsistent and in need of further development.

    • “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 lighting, shadows, and atmospheric effects further enhance the immersive experience, creating an unparalleled sense of tension and realism.”
    • “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, cause when the AI hunts you, they'll often do it in complete silence.”
    • “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.”
  • music23 mentions

    The game's music aspect is widely criticized for its lack of a soundtrack and ambient sounds, leading to a sterile and lifeless experience. Players express a desire for a more engaging audio environment, including a unique soundtrack and ambient noise, to enhance gameplay. While some hope for future updates to address these issues, the current state leaves much to be desired.

    • “Honestly, the game just needs that AAA touch; a good story, soundtrack, optimization, graphics, and a dedicated multiplayer experience.”
    • “It's like the game's soundtrack is a DJ that only starts playing when the guns do.”
    • “But I think the real draw for me is the PvE potential; even soloing on veteran and trying to get better with music is more fun than most things out right now.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of nostalgia and community spirit, with players expressing heartfelt connections to past experiences and a desire for improvement. While some technical issues have led to frustration, the overall sentiment highlights a wholesome community that fosters camaraderie and shared laughter, enhancing the game's emotional depth.

    • “Rainbow Six nostalgia: heartbreaking potential.”
    • “The community of this game is wholesome.”
    • “It's realistic and the community is wholesome as well.”
  • character development1 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.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
93hAverage play time
4-53hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 40 analyzed playthroughs

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