Insurgency: Sandstorm

If you want a legitimate alternative to the yearly churn of Call of Duty and Battlefield, Insurgency: Sandstorm is just what the doctor ordered. Our review.

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Insurgency: Sandstorm Ultimate Edition includes the base game and passes for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3. Feel every bullet in thrilling close-quarters combat as your team fights toward victory in intense co-op and PvP multiplayer modes.

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Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 55,124 reviews

gameplay2,288 positive mentions

optimization1,126 negative mentions

gameplay
5,563 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Insurgency: Sandstorm* is characterized by a blend of tactical realism and fast-paced action, appealing to both casual and hardcore players. Many reviews highlight the game's intense gun mechanics, quick time-to-kill, and the necessity for teamwork and strategy, making each encounter feel significant. However, some players express frustration with performance issues, repetitive gameplay, and certain mechanics that can detract from the overall experience, indicating a need for further optimization and content updates.
- “Unlike other fast-paced FPS games, *sandstorm* stands out with its focus on realism, teamwork, and strategic gameplay.”
- “This game offers a unique, adrenaline-pumping FPS experience that doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks but instead on pure, tactical gameplay.”
- “Awesome gunplay, good movement, easy-to-play yet hard-to-master gameplay that allows for many different approaches.”
- “Enemies make zero movement sounds, so gameplay devolves into sitting in a corner and clicking on heads when they pop up.”
- “The gameplay is intense, unforgiving, slower than Battlefield or Call of Duty, but faster than Squad and Arma.”
- “The gameplay feels clunky and unpolished, with stiff character movements and imprecise gunplay.”
optimization
3,955 mentions
14 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Insurgency: Sandstorm" has been a contentious topic among players, with many expressing frustration over performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent FPS, even on high-end systems. While some users report significant improvements following updates, others still experience severe optimization problems that hinder gameplay. Overall, the game has seen progress in optimization since its launch, but many players feel it still requires further work to achieve a consistently smooth experience.
- “After years of updates and content along with massive optimization improvements, it's a game I've played on and off since release.”
- “The optimization allows the game to run on a variety of hardware configurations, ensuring accessibility for a broad player base.”
- “Despite some needed optimization, this game is definitely one of my all-time favorites.”
- “Game regularly crashes due to bugs and malfunctions, terrible servers often suffer from lags that last until everybody disconnects from the server. Game performance is very unstable, with FPS drops and lags even on a setup far beyond the best recommended settings.”
- “As of recently, performance is pure garbage, constant rubber banding, ping jumping from 40/60 to 400, unstable connection, bugs and glitches, just not worth it anymore.”
- “The performance is pretty bad even after 4+ years of patches; Unreal Engine 4 was not the way to go.”
graphics
3,139 mentions
48 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Insurgency: Sandstorm" have received a mixed but generally positive reception from players. Many praise the game's stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in weapon models and environmental design, which enhance the immersive experience. However, some users report performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, indicating that while the graphics are impressive, optimization remains a concern for many players. Overall, the game is seen as a significant graphical upgrade from its predecessor, though it may require a capable PC to fully enjoy its visual fidelity.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the gritty environments beautifully, which really immerses you in the experience.”
- “The game's attention to detail in its realistic weaponry, sound design, and environmental graphics is truly impressive, transporting you right into the heart of the action.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is smooth, it's an easy learning curve for controls and it's fun.”
- “Bland gameplay, bad graphics, and overall, it's just not very fun.”
- “I played both a lot, and I really liked it, but the main problem with Sandstorm is that it is a super old game with 'shitty' graphics and poor AI bots for 2024.”
- “I have max graphics on every setting and even with render scale being increased it still looks like dogshit and blurry for anything that is past 70m.”
stability
944 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Players have experienced everything from freezing and crashing to graphical glitches and erratic AI behavior, leading to frustration and a sense that the game is not fully polished. While some updates have improved performance, the game remains plagued by instability, making it difficult for many to recommend it in its current state.
- “The game is not very buggy, has excellent gunplay, and there are at least a few full matches in the evening on each gamemode.”
- “Runs great (much, much better than on release), has really good positional audio and overall is just a blast to play.”
- “Out of alpha, the game is mostly bug free and a smooth balanced coop/multiplayer game and was well worth the money spent with an incredible amount of improvement from the original while still keeping the same chaotic feel.”
- “As of recently, performance is pure doo doo, constant rubber banding, ping jumping from 40/60 to 400, unstable connection, bugs and glitches, just not worth it anymore.”
- “The servers have never been this worse, some old glitches/bugs were never fixed but new ones keep coming up, some maps are really unbalanced, etc. I feel like at this point the developers only care about making more money (more DLC) instead of making this game better, until this game finally dies.”
- “Crashes/freezes all the time, literally unplayable.”
story
591 mentions
11 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that "Insurgency: Sandstorm" lacks a traditional story or campaign mode, which many players find disappointing. While the game excels in multiplayer and co-op missions, with engaging gameplay and tactical elements, the absence of a narrative or single-player experience leaves a significant gap for those seeking a more story-driven experience. Players express a desire for the developers to reintroduce a story mode that was initially promised but ultimately canceled.
- “Here, the story is told in bullet casings and victories.”
- “The story and gameplay are awesome.”
- “I would highly recommend this game for its storytelling and the way it shows you the struggle of soldiers and civilians in modern conflict.”
- “The much-hyped story mode never made it into the game.”
- “I was hoping for something with a storyline and actual missions to accomplish... very disappointed with how that message was relayed.”
- “For a final release game that was not only delayed but also had the single player story removed, this is disappointing.”
humor
468 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is largely derived from its vibrant community and the use of proximity voice chat, which leads to hilarious interactions and memorable moments during gameplay. Players often find themselves laughing at both the absurdity of in-game situations and the antics of their teammates and opponents, although the community can also exhibit toxic behavior. Overall, the game balances intense action with comedic elements, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy lighthearted banter amidst the chaos of tactical gameplay.
- “The community is hilarious, with talk reminiscent of MW2 or extreme role-playing.”
- “The proximity chat makes for some hilarious encounters with enemy players as you trash talk each other while camping in the same house.”
- “I have had friends walk in and burst out laughing at how goofy my squad of soldiers without heads and arms looked.”
- “Pretty fun game if you can tolerate the extremely unfunny and lowkey racist playerbase, bad weapon and support balancing, and horrible maps.”
- “[b]- the community:[/b] majority of players are the kind of unfunny, edgy, toxic, immature casual.”
- “It is not funny; in any case, it is sad because everyone expected it to be a good game like Insurgency, but obviously it is not.”
monetization
301 mentions
4 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
54 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the increasing presence of microtransactions and cosmetic DLCs, which they perceive as cash grabs that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate that the game avoids pay-to-win mechanics and offers cosmetic options that can be earned through gameplay, others criticize the developers for prioritizing monetization over meaningful content updates and improvements. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the game's shift towards a monetization model that feels exploitative to some players.
- “The game is updated fairly frequently, and although there's plenty of monetization, it remains free of pay-to-win elements.”
- “Great game as it doesn't have too many in-game purchase items nor does it have a generic battle pass system, plus the game doesn't constantly shove in-game purchase bundles in your face.”
- “There are no microtransactions or DLC in Sandstorm as of the first half of 2020.”
- “Don't buy the DLC as it's a sneaky cash grab that doesn't add anything worthwhile.”
- “The game was a well-timed and polished cash grab that, if you don't know any better, can be fun.”
- “This is a classic cash grab situation, leaving a once-promising game in a disappointing state.”
atmosphere
290 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and realistic qualities, enhanced by exceptional sound design and detailed environments that evoke a gritty battlefield experience. Players appreciate the intense audio effects, such as gunfire and explosions, which contribute significantly to the overall tension and authenticity of the gameplay. While some reviews note that the atmosphere may not be as impactful as in previous iterations, the combination of visual fidelity, atmospheric details, and engaging soundscapes creates a compelling and immersive experience for players.
- “The sound design is especially impressive—bullets whizzing by, explosions rattling your surroundings, and the shouts of your squad create an atmosphere that is unparalleled.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is what really sells it for me.”
- “The immersive environment, perfect audio, tense atmosphere, and limited HUD make for one of the best realistic shooters I have seen so far.”
- “Combined with mediocre sound design and forgettable music, Sandstorm Insurgency fails to create a captivating atmosphere that would have elevated the overall experience.”
- “Unfortunately, the devs are slowly but surely betraying their loyal fanbase by ruining this very atmosphere, with extremely ugly and unimmersive Fortnite skins.”
- “The maps are also very badly put together and feel even more artificial than in Insurgency, which wasn't bad back then because it made up for it with the right atmosphere.”
grinding
208 mentions
5 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
55 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed sentiment regarding grinding in the game, with many players expressing that it can be excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly for cosmetic unlocks. However, some players appreciate that the core gameplay does not require extensive grinding for weapons or upgrades, allowing for a more enjoyable experience. Overall, while some aspects of grinding are seen as necessary, many players wish for a more balanced approach to progression that minimizes tedium.
- “The loadout system is fun and leads to diversity in your kit, with no grinding needed to unlock upgrades.”
- “Best tactical shooter out there... period... easy on the wallet... no grinding required... everything is already unlocked... just pure gunplay and brutal atmosphere... deserves a lot more players than it already has.”
- “Great maps, lots of guns and no grinding of different guns or some silly perks or kill streaks like in some other modern FPS.”
- “On the downside, getting from spawn to the nearest objective can feel tedious, and the game introduces a significant element of randomness due to large maps with numerous rooms and hiding spots.”
- “Game got me farming a hundred hours just to drip off as a counter-terrorist security operator.”
- “It's unremarkable and unlocking anything is a tedious chore.”
music
136 mentions
21 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the ambient sound and thematic tracks, particularly the middle-eastern influences, while others criticize the disruptive nature of players blasting their own music over voice chat. Many highlight the impressive sound design and contextual music that enhances gameplay, but the overall experience is often marred by a toxic community that frequently engages in mic spamming and inappropriate behavior. Overall, while the game's music can contribute positively to the atmosphere, the player interactions can detract significantly from the experience.
- “The sound design is a highlight, offering quality voicework, sound effects, and music.”
- “Impressive sound design and music arrangement.”
- “This is a pretty immersive game and the music suits the theme; I would highly recommend this to hardcore FPS players.”
- “Combined with mediocre sound design and forgettable music, Sandstorm Insurgency fails to create a captivating atmosphere that would have elevated the overall experience.”
- “The most annoying thing is when people hot mic and blast music which interrupts gameplay.”
- “After 1 hour, yes 1 hour, of this unending, soul-sapping event where I killed more enemy soldiers than I can count, with a constant incredibly annoying soundtrack of grunts and screams on a seemingly fixed 2-second loop which sounded like a really bad dance loop, I eventually lost the will to live and turned this god-awful excuse for a game off.”
replayability
126 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising the cooperative and competitive modes, modding community, and challenging gameplay that keeps them engaged for hours. However, some users express frustration over the lack of custom/private match options and limited progression systems, which can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, while there are elements that provide high replay value, particularly in PvE and modded content, some players feel that the game could benefit from more variety and dynamic elements to enhance replayability further.
- “The cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes offer plenty of replayability.”
- “The modding community has created a range of custom maps, weapons, and other content, adding significant replayability.”
- “The game's replayability and co-op modes will keep you hooked for hours depending on how you approach each match.”
- “Unfortunately, the lack of an actually reasonable way to fire up a custom/private match with friends and custom rules makes the game drop in replayability.”
- “However, the lack of game modes and variety within existing game modes decreases replayability value in the long run.”
- “It has a severe lack of content and next to no replayability.”
emotional
50 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with players expressing feelings of heartbreak and disappointment due to persistent technical issues and a toxic player base, contrasting with moments of genuine connection and enjoyment within the community. While some players find the game immersive and emotionally impactful, others feel frustrated by its clunky mechanics and the negative behavior of certain players, leading to a complex emotional landscape that ranges from nostalgia to disillusionment. Overall, the game elicits strong feelings, both positive and negative, reflecting its potential and the challenges it faces.
- “No game will ever hit the emotions this game made me feel.”
- “One time I was super fried and the guy I was following got blown up by an RPG right in front of me and it made me cry.”
- “It's heartbreaking seeing the game in its current state.”
character development
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in "Insurgency: Sandstorm" has received mixed reviews, with players noting that while there have been improvements in character design and uniqueness, many still find the graphics and animations to be stiff and somewhat unfinished. The character models often appear awkward, particularly in the main menu, contributing to an uncanny valley effect. Overall, while there are positive strides in diversity, the execution remains average and could benefit from further refinement.
- “My other gripe was the character design, but it has improved a lot with updates.”
- “It has unique character design so everyone doesn't look the same.”
- “Character designs, uniforms, and clothing are another feature in Insurgency: Sandstorm.”
- “The character designs and rigs seem unfinished or rushed; they look weird in the main menu, with arms separate from their bodies and hunched over awkwardly.”
- “Passable graphics with somewhat standard character designs and average cosmetic choices.”
- “Animations and character design are stiff, and the uncanny valley effect is strong in this one.”