Insurgency

About

Insurgency is a tactical first-person shooter that focuses on team-based gameplay. Players must work together to complete objectives and eliminate the enemy team in a variety of maps and modes. With a realistic damage model and no HUD, Insurgency demands strategic planning and communication for success.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 52,906 reviews

gameplay2.2k positive mentions

stability314 negative mentions

gameplay
5,236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
The gameplay of Insurgency is characterized by its intense realism and tactical depth, requiring players to engage in careful planning and teamwork rather than relying on run-and-gun strategies. While the game features a steep learning curve and can be punishing, it rewards players with a satisfying experience that emphasizes communication and strategic movement. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and occasional bugs, the overall mechanics and immersive gameplay have garnered a dedicated community and positive reception among fans of the genre.
- “While it may feel a bit outdated, its intense gameplay and commitment to realism still make it a standout for fans of hardcore tactical shooters.”
- “Its unforgiving gameplay mechanics, combined with a strong focus on communication and cooperation, create an intense atmosphere that rewards tactical thinking.”
- “The gameplay of Insurgency focuses on realistic combat mechanics, where players must be tactical and methodical rather than relying on run-and-gun strategies.”
- “While the mechanics and design suggest tactical gameplay, the players’ general disregard for this aspect leads to an entirely different environment, one that prioritizes rushing objectives over planning and careful execution.”
- “The game’s core tactical mechanics go largely unused in a typical match, with players opting for a fast-paced, chaotic approach rather than the slower, methodical play the developers intended.”
- “Unlike some other tactical shooters that reward players for teamwork or penalize for rushing recklessly, this game leaves players free to treat every match like a race, reducing the supposed realism to a backdrop rather than an enforced part of gameplay.”
graphics
3,257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
42%
9%
The graphics in "Insurgency" are generally described as decent but not cutting-edge, reflecting its roots in the older Source engine. While some players appreciate the game's gritty aesthetic and atmospheric details, others note that the visuals can feel dated compared to modern titles. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable for gameplay, with many reviewers emphasizing that the immersive experience and solid mechanics outweigh any graphical shortcomings.
- “While not cutting-edge, the graphics in Insurgency effectively convey the gritty atmosphere of conflict.”
- “The graphics are nice, not overly complicated or overly simplified.”
- “The visuals, while not cutting-edge, are effective in conveying the harsh realities of urban warfare, with detailed environments and textures capturing the atmosphere of conflict.”
- “The visuals are barely acceptable, even for something released in 2014.”
- “The graphics are old but not outdated just yet; 5 years later and there are still tons of people playing it.”
- “The graphics are quite poor for a source engine game.”
story
615 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
78%
7%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with many users noting that it lacks a traditional narrative or campaign mode. Instead, it focuses on fast-paced, objective-based missions that emphasize teamwork and tactical gameplay, often set in realistic military scenarios. While some players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and mission variety, the consensus is that those seeking a rich storyline will be disappointed.
- “The story was also really touching and had a really good and meaningful message.”
- “The brutal approach works, so long as you pay close attention to the brief but comprehensive tutorial mission.”
- “This game is for people who like realism; it's so good, better than running for 2 hours in Arma 3 for a mission.”
- “There's no story mode/campaign.”
- “For story we get nothing, although the only available single player part of the game - the tutorial - suggests that we are thrown into a conflict somewhere in the middle east as we arrive into a boot camp in the middle of the night.”
- “This game is not as buggy as bf4, there's not a story but bf4's story sucked anyways, and although there are no vehicles, the gameplay is smoother, more intense, and fun than bf4.”
optimization
523 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
42%
16%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including older systems. However, some users have reported significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, particularly on higher settings or with certain graphics configurations. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized for lower-end PCs, there are notable exceptions that affect the experience for some players.
- “While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, 'Insurgency' is well-optimized, allowing it to run smoothly on a range of hardware configurations.”
- “Fantastic gameplay, well optimized by source engine standards, so even a weak laptop can crank out a good frame rate.”
- “The game is very well optimized and has a large workshop community especially for coop.”
- “Very good gameplay, but horrible performance even on modern systems.”
- “The game is poorly optimized to mid-level gaming PCs even though the system requirements are met.”
- “This game has the worst optimization I've ever seen in my entire life.”
humor
393 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players enjoying the absurdity of gameplay moments, such as bot behavior and ragdoll physics. Many reviews highlight the hilarious interactions within the community, including the use of mods that enhance comedic elements, and the frequent use of humorous voice lines and phrases during gameplay. Overall, the game is seen as a source of laughter, especially when played with friends, making it a fun experience despite its serious undertones.
- “It's brutally realistic, intense, and often unintentionally hilarious.”
- “The community is hilarious and I can confidently say I got way more than my 15 bucks from this game.”
- “Playing this game will either provide you with one of the best CQB war simulators you've ever played or one of the most hilarious and ridiculous experiences of your life with people who will make you die laughing.”
- “Fun, but not funny enough.”
- “The movie is pathetic, dull, unfunny, and overall is an insult to the horror genre.”
- “It's not funny... but if you like reality, it's good.”
stability
372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
1%
84%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting frequent freezes, particularly when launching or joining multiplayer servers. While some players experience minimal glitches and smooth performance, others face significant issues, including crashes and unresponsive menus. Overall, the game runs well on lower-end systems, but persistent bugs and stability problems detract from the experience for many users.
- “The game runs great on mostly anything within the last 10 years.”
- “It runs great and looks beautiful, even on older rigs.”
- “The game runs great, not many bugs.”
- “Fun game solo but joining any server freezes my PC.”
- “The game freezes my computer, which is only 6 months old.”
- “It's a really fun game, but literally half the time (maybe more) I boot it up, it freezes my computer and all of my unsaved progress in other programs (e.g. MS Word, Chrome tabs) is gone.”
atmosphere
266 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The atmosphere in "Insurgency" is widely praised for its gritty realism and immersive environments, effectively capturing the intensity of urban warfare. Players appreciate the combination of realistic sound design, minimal HUD, and unforgiving gameplay mechanics, which together create a tense and engaging experience reminiscent of actual combat scenarios. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they contribute to a believable atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of tactical shooters.
- “The game's immersive environments and authentic weapon mechanics create an intense atmosphere on the battlefield.”
- “The brutal and realistic sound effects of the weapons and explosions, along with lifelike ambient sounds, all add to the unique atmosphere in Insurgency, making it feel right.”
- “The chaotic mix of tactical yelling, panicked swearing, death wailing, radio comms reporting on friendly losses, everything meshes with the loud explosions and frenzied weapon shots to create a convincing atmosphere of war.”
- “The atmosphere set by Insurgency is as close to perfect as you can get in the modern market.”
- “The sound effects create an incredibly intense atmosphere that games like Call of Duty fail to compare.”
music
240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
5%
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a mix of local flavors, modern techno, and orchestral elements that enhance the immersive experience. However, some players note a lack of variety, leading to repetitive loops. The community-driven modding scene allows for extensive customization, including the addition of personal soundtracks and sound effects, which can significantly alter the auditory experience during gameplay.
- “The music combined with the gameplay made this, as far as I’m concerned, one of the absolute best in its genre.”
- “The soundtrack by Rich Douglas is godly, and fits the 'middle-eastern conflict' theme perfectly.”
- “The music complements the different environments very nicely: Insurgency is one of those rare games where you can leave the music turned on while playing.”
- “The music is forgettable, but the voicelines are good - triggering at realistic moments and sounding like the voice actors put effort into them.”
- “Too much of the singleplayer can become depressing as the lack of music, destroyed and foreign structures and eerie ambiance (especially at night) really sucks out the fun and light-heartedness most shooters have.”
- “Little music clutters this game - but you won’t notice, because you’ll be straining to hear the sound of footsteps approaching from your blind side.”
monetization
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
33%
61%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, offering a straightforward purchase model where players pay once and access all content without additional costs or pay-to-win mechanics. However, some players express frustration over the presence of intrusive advertisements in servers, which detracts from the overall experience despite the absence of in-game purchases. Overall, the developers are commended for prioritizing the gaming experience over monetization strategies common in many modern titles.
- “Well, it is that old-school type of game, where gaming experience is first, there are no microtransactions, no skins, isn't hard on your PC, looks good enough, and is just refreshing to have such a game.”
- “The devs clearly love this game, not only continuing to update it several years after its release, but also standing by a no DLC or microtransactions policy.”
- “Most importantly, pay once and own the whole game, no in-app purchases, no season passes, everything comes unlocked, no crates/drops, etc.”
- “Instead of a more realistic experience, it's now a clear cash grab by appealing to the younger Fortnite crowd.”
- “The game is good fun, but they now put ads into it which I just find ridiculous for a game that is paid for.”
- “Got the game yesterday, paid 15 dollars; it's worth maybe 8. Every server is ad-funded, so you have to hear ads the whole time you play.”
replayability
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its engaging multiplayer modes, diverse maps, and extensive modding community that continually adds new content. Players appreciate the variety of gameplay experiences, including solo, co-op, and competitive modes, which keep them returning for more. Despite some criticisms regarding the lack of official servers and limited content, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
- “Its replayability with solo and coop and multiplayer is what keeps me coming back.”
- “The variety of guns, maps, and modes lend to its replayability.”
- “The replayability is beyond imagination, especially if you also add some handy aesthetic mods at the workshop.”
- “It's just sad that it doesn't offer more replayability.”
- “Simply put, there's too small a player base to sustain lasting replayability.”
- “Fun game though, just needs more weapons and bigger maps to keep replay value.”
grinding
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
25%
60%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in this game is excessive and often tedious, with many players expressing that it feels like a second job. While some appreciate the lack of a grindy progression system that rewards skill over time investment, others find the repetitive tasks and achievements frustrating. Overall, the sentiment leans towards grinding being a significant drawback, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “There is no grinding or paying involved with equipment, and there is no 'best' loadout.”
- “Everything is unlocked, so no grinding for weapon attachments, and there's even a fun co-op mode where a small team of players takes on waves and waves of bots.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I found this game incredibly tedious.”
- “The achievements for insurgency are uncreative, bland, numerous, and all about grinding your time away playing.”
emotional
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players frequently describe the emotional impact of the game as profound and immersive, often feeling a deep connection to the narrative and characters, which evokes a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a realistic military experience that resonates with personal memories and emotions, making victories feel rewarding and defeats particularly poignant. Overall, the game is characterized as an emotional rollercoaster, fostering a strong sense of community and shared experiences among players.
- “The story was really touching and had a meaningful message.”
- “I've never played a FPS that made me feel like I was really fighting in a war, and this game did it great 10/10.”
- “Dying is heartbreaking, especially compared to how many modern shooters address it.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive design and attention to detail, particularly highlighting the varied armor levels and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Battlefield 3. The realistic portrayal of soldiers and combat adds depth to the characters, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- “Another great point is the character design and uniforms for the different armor levels; heavy armor for security forces is my favorite, reminiscent of the USMC.”
- “The character design is awesome too; it reminds me of the good old days in Battlefield 3, with shooting, bullets flying everywhere, soldiers yelling in pain, grenades blasting, and the realistic gunshots being brilliant.”