It Takes a War

About

It Takes a War is a single player tactical shooter game. It was developed by Thomas Mackinnon and was released on November 6, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

It Takes a War is a team-based shooter emphasizing intense, visceral gunplay and survival through seamless communication. Players choose from three unique combat classes and rely on real-time voice chat to strategize and dominate the battlefield. Experience ultra-realistic visuals and relentless action in fast-paced, hour-long matches.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 223 reviews

story12 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

It Takes a War offers a unique and emotional narrative that resonates deeply with players, particularly those familiar with online friendships and social dynamics.
The game creatively utilizes meta elements and breaks the fourth wall, enhancing the storytelling experience and keeping players engaged.
Despite its short length, the game is impactful and thought-provoking, making it a memorable experience that players are likely to reflect on long after finishing.

The gameplay mechanics are often criticized for being clunky and unengaging, detracting from the overall experience.
Some players found the writing and voice acting to be subpar, which undermined the emotional weight of the story.
The game has technical issues, including bugs and performance problems, which can disrupt the experience and lead to frustration.

story
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
5%
The game's story is praised for its unique and emotional approach, resonating deeply with players, particularly those who have experienced social anxiety or fleeting human connections. While the narrative is described as touching and innovative, some reviewers noted that the execution can feel minimalist and inconsistent, with gameplay often serving merely as a backdrop to the storytelling. Overall, it is considered a compelling, introspective experience that effectively conveys personal themes, despite some critiques regarding character development and plot cohesion.
- “What I will say is that I never thought a video game story could be told in this specific way.”
- “An emotional story about the fleetingness of human connection, told through a Counter-Strike 1.6 metaphor.”
- “It's one of those types of games I really wish I could experience again for the first time given how surprising it was with the story it conveyed.”
- “At the end of the day, it felt like the story was more interested in being about the concepts it presents 'on paper' rather than actually developing its characters into believable people and immersing you properly into the situation.”
- “The gameplay is very rough around the edges, but it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things given that the game is nothing more than a framing device for the story being told.”
- “I fully understand that this is the point, but it also means two things: one, that you can easily get bored as you wait for the story to get a move on, and two, that the player is but a neutral observer in a story happening to other people.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
50%
20%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its intentionally clunky and rough nature, which often detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the unique storytelling approach and fun twists, others criticize the mechanics as subpar and disconnected from the narrative. Overall, the gameplay serves more as a vehicle for the story rather than a standout feature, leading to a consensus that it is mediocre at best.
- “One of the most interesting uses of interactive gameplay to tell a story I've seen in a while, kudos to the dev!!”
- “There are also some fun twists on gameplay that will appear randomly at the starts of rounds (you'll never know what could happen next!), and a lot of cool easter eggs hidden around the game's iconic map, 'tdm_filth,' which you've probably seen in a montage or two!”
- “The characters felt real, and the actual gameplay of shooting the dudes is fun.”
- “Rather than finish the game, I watched the rest in a gameplay video at 1.75 speed to get it over with.”
- “It's just not cohesive enough - I'm still not sure what its ultimate message is, its tone is very inconsistent (fluctuating between dramatic, satirical, and even horror), and its gameplay doesn't really connect to the story and simply functions as a kind of story canvas.”
- “It's an interesting premise ruined by juvenile writing, amateurish voice acting, and gameplay that is literally an afterthought.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players finding the story touching and relatable, often evoking strong feelings about human connections and online interactions. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to resonate deeply, prompting reflections on personal experiences and eliciting genuine emotional responses, including tears. Overall, it is recognized for its heartfelt exploration of themes surrounding the fleeting nature of relationships in a digital age.
- “My point is this story was very touching, and hit home in a lot of ways.”
- “An emotional story about the fleetingness of human connection, told through a Counter-Strike 1.6 metaphor.”
- “Heart-wrenching and extremely relatable in our world of online distance between friends.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization has been criticized for poor framerate and awkward controls, leading to a lack of immersion in both dialogue and gameplay. Many users feel that the overall experience is unoptimized, detracting from the story and making the gameplay feel weak and disconnected.
- “Framerate suffered at times; I imagine certain scenes are just a little unoptimized.”
- “- Unoptimized mess and is also 8GB for some reason?”
- “The controls are awkward, the shooting feels weak, your performance means nothing, and it's very clearly a distraction from the story going on in the background.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is intentionally absurd, enhancing the overall narrative and reflecting the developer's unique comedic style. Players appreciate the blend of humor with meaningful messages, noting that the game's funny moments contribute significantly to its charm.
- “Gameplay is hilariously bad, as it's meant to be, really driving your attention towards the overarching story.”
- “Which makes sense when you factor in who the developer is and his sense of humor, a sense of humor that I personally appreciate.”
- “There is an important message that really is what this game is all about, but within that, there are a lot of funny moments, and I quite appreciated Thomas's approach to this game a lot.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's replayability is criticized, with many reviewers noting its short duration of around 40 minutes and a lack of substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players may find value in discovering hidden easter eggs or achievements, the consensus suggests that the game offers limited incentive for repeated play.
- “Saying too much about the game will absolutely spoil Tommo's carefully scripted experience, but it's absolutely worth the price of admission even though it's a relatively short game without much replay value, unless you're like me and don't pay attention on your first or fourth playthrough and miss some of the easter eggs that spark achievements.”
- “I don't mean to be harsh, but even 'Thirty Flights of Loving' has more replay value than this.”
- “I felt the urge to write this after seeing a negative review boosted to the top, focused almost entirely on the gameplay and lack of replayability.”
- “And before you know it, you get to the end in a whopping 40 minutes. Wow, for 5 euros with no replayability???”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players criticize a repetitive and unappealing main track, others praise the voice acting and a standout credits song that introduces them to new music. Overall, the emotional impact of the game's soundscape enhances the gaming experience, contributing to a sense of immersion and connection among players.
- “Great voice cast and a fantastic credits song from a band I wasn't familiar with before but will definitely look into.”
- “What a beautiful experience, honestly. My good mate Shay, who did some of the music, suggested playing it and coming in blind. I have felt so many emotions, getting that high of winning games and hearing what felt like a natural lobby, eventually devolving into arguments and the feeling of betrayal.”
- “All throughout, you're forced to listen to a terrible song (likely the dev or his friend's band) that drones on and on.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The graphics have been widely criticized for being outdated and subpar, especially given the technology available. Many users feel that the visual presentation fails to meet modern standards, detracting from the overall experience.
- “Still, that message is a little belated and comes across just as dated as the graphics it's portrayed in.”
- “The graphics are incredibly bad for the tech used, even in the areas that are supposed to look good.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express that the core of gaming should focus on dedication and creativity rather than relying heavily on microtransactions and profit-driven models.
- “This, at least for me, is the dedication keeping the gaming medium running at its heart, not all the big money made with microtransactions and the like.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great overshadowed by aggressive monetization tactics.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is somewhat inconsistent, with players experiencing glitches and texture loading issues that can disrupt gameplay. However, these problems are often resolved with a simple restart, allowing players to continue their experience without significant long-term impact.
- “As you continue to play the matches, the group of friends have various insecurities and rifts become apparent as they talk to each other, and then various glitches and strange happenings in the game occur, bringing their insecurities to a head, leaving you and the other random player to navigate the fallout.”
- “A bit buggy where the map textures didn't load at first, but a quick restart seemed to fix it.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere is effectively captured, evoking the essence of a nearly abandoned FPS community with its nostalgic banter and the presence of a dedicated few players who sustain the game's spirit.
- “It nails the feel of an old, nearly abandoned FPS community — the banter, the atmosphere, and the handful of players keeping the game alive.”
- “It nails the feel of an old, nearly abandoned FPS community — the banter, the atmosphere, the handful of players keeping the game alive.”