Guns of Icarus Online

About

Guns of Icarus Online is a multiplayer tactical shooter game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Muse Games and was released on October 29, 2012. It received very positive reviews from players.

Guns of Icarus Online is a steampunk-themed multiplayer airship combat game. Players man ship stations, like gunner, pilot, or engineer, to complete objectives and defeat enemy teams. Communication and teamwork are crucial for success in this high-flying, aerial warfare experience.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,604 reviews

gameplay693 positive mentions

monetization20 negative mentions

gameplay
1,471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The gameplay of "Guns of Icarus Online" is characterized by its unique blend of teamwork, strategy, and fast-paced action within a steampunk setting. Players take on specific roles—pilot, gunner, or engineer—requiring effective communication and collaboration to succeed in aerial battles. While the mechanics are generally easy to learn, mastering them can be challenging, and the gameplay experience is significantly enhanced when played with friends, although some players note a lack of variety and a dwindling player base as potential drawbacks.
- “The game itself is extremely fun and has great mechanics that are not overly complicated for the type of game it is.”
- “The gameplay is intense and engaging; the only major flaw with the game is that you basically need friends to enjoy it.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and intuitive, and presents challenges in both PvP and PvE gameplay.”
- “Waiting, sitting through 15-30 minutes of lobby chatter, between each and every round of actual gameplay is literally not an uncommon experience.. just saying.”
- “Gameplay is clunky, and there are practically no players online.”
- “The little variation in gameplay and the tedious beating of machinery just makes this game feel like a chore rather than something fun.”
graphics
866 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
31%
5%
The graphics of "Guns of Icarus Online" are generally praised for their impressive steampunk aesthetic, with many players noting the beautiful ship designs and atmospheric environments. While some reviews mention that the graphics can be demanding on older systems and may require adjustments for optimal performance, the overall visual presentation is considered solid, especially for a game released in 2012. Despite some dated elements, the art style and attention to detail contribute to a captivating gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are simply stunning, especially for something still running in only 32 bits.”
- “The visuals of the game are beautiful and appropriately full of rust and brass, and the music is a blend of classical orchestra melodies and wartime drum cadences fitting of the setting.”
- “The designs of the ships and the graphics are stunning, and really fit in the steampunk universe.”
- “This game should probably be used for a team-building exercise, and handles extremely well, but many graphical improvements to the game make it borderline impossible to run on some computers.”
- “The graphics seem flat and redundant.”
- “Graphics are laughable, not much to do at all.”
music
215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
35%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and fitting steampunk aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of orchestral melodies and dynamic battle themes. Many players find the soundtrack to be engaging and atmospheric, although some note that it can become repetitive during gameplay. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive environment and emotional impact.
- “The music in this game is gorgeous!”
- “It's an incredible game, the soundtrack was phenomenal from the moment you boot up to the menu, to the literal awe-inspiring landscapes they came up with.”
- “The visuals of the game are beautiful and appropriately full of rust and brass, and the music is a blend of classical orchestra melodies and wartime drum cadences fitting of the setting.”
- “The soundtrack is rather limited, although judging from the dev updates that might change soon.”
- “All elements of this game are above-average, except the music.”
- “There's also music... although the music might get repetitive.”
story
145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
92%
4%
The game's story is largely underdeveloped, with many players expressing a desire for a more substantial narrative or campaign mode to enhance the experience. While some lore exists, it is often overshadowed by the focus on multiplayer gameplay, leading to a sense of missed potential. However, upcoming updates, including a co-op adventure mode, promise to introduce more structured missions and storytelling elements, which players are eagerly anticipating.
- “The story is one for the ages.”
- “However, the plot itself is quite the tearjerker.”
- “Well, since there isn't a real storyline as of yet, this rating is a little based on potential I see, but from the meta-game material I've seen, the introductions shown on each map, and the imminent advent of adventure mode, I am very excited for how the story will develop.”
- “The story is not really what focused in the game, which for me is a bit sad, because I wanted to know more about this game.”
- “It needs a campaign or a story; the game is either linear or relies on the PvP dynamics, which can be pretty cool. Costumes are great, but you should invest like 700-900 hours to get them all from all factions.”
- “There is no story (although a rich world and lore is hinted at). Recently, a DLC called 'Alliance' has been released, presumably tackling these issues. I haven't had time for it yet, though; still, the game is filled with little stories.”
humor
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious co-op experience, especially when played with friends. The community is described as friendly and funny, contributing to many chaotic and comedic moments during gameplay. Overall, the game is considered a source of endless laughter, particularly due to its absurd scenarios and entertaining character interactions.
- “You play as Tincan Peterson, who has frequent hallucinations of the famed stand-up comedian, Larry the Cable Guy, who provides hilarious commentary as you play the game.”
- “Generally speaking, the game is a hilarious good time even (especially?) when you go down in flames.”
- “This game is amazingly hilarious to play with friends!”
atmosphere
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive steampunk setting, enhanced by beautiful visuals, engaging sound design, and a strong sense of community. Players appreciate the thrilling and intense environment created during airship battles, which is complemented by the game's focus on teamwork and communication. Overall, the combination of art style, gameplay dynamics, and community interaction contributes to a captivating and memorable gaming experience.
- “The fast paces (often exceeding 100 k/h) of the airships and heavy damage taken constantly from a damage-centered gameplay dynamic serve to remind you at every second that you're riding not a modern airliner or a fireproofed helium blimp - these ships are slap-dash and falling apart around you, but this only serves to create a thrilling atmosphere in combat as parts go flying and clouds of smoke throw you into the shoes of a reckless young sailor with nothing left to lose.”
- “This game immaculately captures the hectic, intense atmosphere of being a crewman in battle, hopping from gun to gun, repairing vital parts to keep your ship flying just a bit longer than the other bastards.”
- “The fast paces (often exceeding 100 k/h) of the airships and heavy damage taken constantly from a damage-centered gameplay dynamic serve to remind you at every second that you're riding not a modern airliner or a fireproofed helium blimp - these ships are slap-dash and falling apart around you, but this only serves to create a thrilling atmosphere in combat as parts go flying and clouds of smoke throw you into the shoes of a reckless young sailor with nothing left to lose, not fighting for his life so much as throwing whatever he, his ship and his crew have left in the all-pervading pursuit of victory.”
- “The graphics in the game are good (especially when you consider the price) and the atmosphere, from the creaking of the ship to the sounds it makes as it slowly rotates to bring its cannons to bear, is one that I've been unable to experience again in any game - whether it be a AAA title or not.”
- “Guns of Icarus Online features superb quality in the departments of lighting, atmosphere, character customization, model details, and teamwork-oriented combat, but strikingly, the game suffers from a tragically small player base - usually never surpassing 100 concurrent players.”
monetization
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
69%
22%
The game's monetization model primarily consists of cosmetic microtransactions, which do not affect gameplay or provide competitive advantages, maintaining a "buy once, play forever" philosophy. While some players express concern over the presence of microtransactions in a paid game, many appreciate that all essential content is accessible from the start and that cosmetic items can also be earned through gameplay. Overall, the community seems divided on the necessity of these microtransactions, with some suggesting that a shift to a free-to-play model could help increase player numbers, albeit with caution against potential pay-to-win pitfalls.
- “All microtransactions are cosmetic, and you can get half the store items by leveling up.”
- “There are no gameplay-affecting microtransactions, only cosmetic, and all gear and ship options are unlocked from the start, so you will not get demolished by a rank 14 ship because he had a better gun than you.”
- “They also do microtransactions right, with everything being purely cosmetic, no pay-to-win here.”
- “Heavy microtransactions.”
- “Just another cash grab company.”
- “Fifteen dollar game with microtransactions.”
stability
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players noting persistent bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, particularly during matches and in graphical performance. However, the active developer support and frequent updates have been praised, leading to improvements over time. While some users report serious issues, others find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, indicating that it can still provide a solid experience, especially when played with a coordinated team.
- “The community is great, the game is great, and it runs smoothly.”
- “The community is great, the game is great, and it runs smoothly.”
- “The game was decently optimized when I first played it about 2 years ago, and now the game is just a buggy mess, leaving much to be desired.”
- “Looks like you can have a lot of fun in this game - various ships, factions, etc. - but the game freezes every time when a match ends while running on Ubuntu 16.04.”
- “The game can also be rather buggy at times, and more than once my character mysteriously clips through the airship and falls to his death either when newly respawning in-game or entering/leaving a gun.”
optimization
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant frame rate drops and lag spikes, particularly on lower-end systems. While some players find it runs smoothly and is well-optimized for their hardware, others experience performance issues, especially in graphically intensive situations. Overall, it appears that while the game has potential for good performance, it may require a high-end computer to achieve a consistently smooth experience.
- “Graphically impressive for a simple multiplayer game from 2012 with rock solid performance, even out rigs that were outdated in 2012.”
- “High optimization - game runs very smoothly.”
- “The optimized graphics and giant map design give a real sense of immersion for the player as they pilot balloon powered airships through vast landscapes ranging from mountains to deserts to ruined cities.”
- “The game itself is not optimized well at all; it takes quite the computer to run smoothly at a steady frame rate.”
- “Frame rate drops and lag spikes are commonplace, and you need a top-end computer to compensate for better performance.”
- “The game has some optimization issues, like when you get in a cloud... those particles make your PC lag hard.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
7%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse ship types, weaponry, and challenging game modes that encourage players to engage repeatedly. While many users highlight the endless variance and community-driven multiplayer experience, some note that certain roles can become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing replay value. Despite this, the anticipation of future expansions and updates suggests a sustained interest in the game.
- “With loads of replay value and an affordable major PvE expansion on the way, this game has delivered a lot, and I'm very excited to be part of the community going forward!”
- “Half the fun is in the endlessly replayable variance of trying to overcome different captains and their new tricks while maneuvering between the canyons, wrecks, and sandstorms of the map.”
- “I've never played a game where not only the community was genuinely so unique and great, but also has an endless amount of replayability.”
- “Replay value drops very quickly, because all 3 roles get very repetitive after a while, especially the engineer which doesn't have much of a skill cap at all.”
- “Replayability 6/10”
- “Excellent gameplay, very artistic style, has replay value.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
10%
85%
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players find it tedious and repetitive, describing it as a chore that detracts from the fun, others appreciate the lack of serious grinding, noting that all gameplay content is accessible without extensive grinding. Some players mention that while there is a bit of grinding involved, the overall experience can still be enjoyable, especially with engaging combat mechanics.
- “No pay to win, no grinding or farming save for the achievements.”
- “The little variation in gameplay and the tedious beating of machinery just makes this game feel like a chore rather than something fun.”
- “Unfortunately, we found playing this game to just be tedious most of the time.”
- “Gameplay is tedious and frustrating, dealing with other people is tedious and frustrating, and trying to have fun is tedious and frustrating.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of nostalgia and heartbreak, with players reflecting on the game's early days as a wholesome experience contrasted by current frustrations. The soundtrack evokes a sense of adventure tinged with sadness, while the community's decline has left some feeling disheartened. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional responses, both positive and negative, from its players.
- “So... I was stuck queuing with randos, and it was heartbreaking.”
- “It's so heartbreaking and sad what's going on with the game; look how many hours I put in up top.”
- “First of all, the soundtrack when you first open the game is somehow heart-wrenching, telling you that you are going on an adventure to a dark and sad place.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate a significant deficiency in character development, leading to concerns that players may quickly lose interest in the game after only a few sessions. This lack of depth in character progression is a common point of criticism among users.
- “The lack of any sophisticated character development means I will likely tire of this game after a few sessions and only play it infrequently.”