Rising Front

About

Rising Front is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Sandstorm Studios Inc. and was released on January 14, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"Rising Front" is a groundbreaking WW1 shooter that combines FPS, RTS, and combat simulation for epic, large-scale battles with 1000+ units. Command AI troops, utilize artillery, and build defenses, all with realistic WW1 tactics and smooth performance. Experience dynamic combat with procedural cover and rag-doll physics in this immersive trenches recreation. Welcome to the front line.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,746 reviews

gameplay35 positive mentions

stability38 negative mentions

For a game made by a single developer, it showcases impressive AI, simple controls, and a good community of mod creators.
The game offers a unique blend of FPS and RTS gameplay, allowing players to command troops while also participating in battles.
It has a lot of potential for future updates, with promises of new content like tanks, planes, and improved AI.

The game has been criticized for being stale, with almost no new content for a year or two.
Many players have reported bugs, including issues with AI pathfinding and performance, especially when spawning large numbers of units.
The game lacks depth and variety, leading to repetitive gameplay after a short period.

gameplay
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
6%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its potential and unique mechanics, particularly in building and commanding units, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Many users noted the absence of tutorials and the need for improved user interface and mechanics to enhance the overall experience. Despite its early access status and some bugs, the game is seen as having a solid foundation that could develop into a more engaging experience with future updates.
- “The scenario editor is awesome, and the gameplay feels really satisfying.”
- “Being able to disable the enemy AI and give direct orders sets up so many interesting gameplay options!”
- “It is a great game despite being in early access, it has very good mechanics and fun gameplay. 100% recommended.”
- “I don't know what I missed, but my time with this game had zero tutorial whatsoever and literally an endless stream of enemies to my completely finite and uncontrollable infantry because there was not a single game mechanic, nor control that was explained in-game.”
- “The gameplay is pretty boring; you just shoot the bad AI (which the game advertises as being great and very intelligent), and that's pretty much it. Commanding the units does not feel nice; you can't even select multiple armies at once.”
- “The gameplay is really repetitive, and I understand this because the workshop is still developing. For an early access game, the price is a bit overwhelming considering the points I mentioned earlier.”
graphics
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
59%
15%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are simplistic and sometimes janky, which can detract from immersion. While some appreciate the low-quality visuals for their performance benefits, others criticize them as unflattering and reminiscent of basic Unity assets. Overall, the graphics are seen as a compromise for gameplay and performance, with potential for improvement in future updates.
- “Absolutely love this game, awesome graphics, the weapons feel smooth and the ragdoll animations are amazing.”
- “Simple yet charming graphics: the graphical style is simple but effective, with enough detail to give the 3D environments some character without overwhelming the player.”
- “Stunning graphics and VFX, enormous scale battles the likes of which I have never seen, weapon models are clear and reloads look good, has mod support day 1 of release, runs very smoothly and takes up virtually no space.”
- “I get that it's made by a solo developer, and I don't doubt it has potential, it's just that it's hard to get over the unbalanced audio mixing, along with the fact that since the game is centered around unrealistic scenarios with an extremely gratuitous number of units, the graphics look like ripped Unity assets in order to maintain performance, resulting in unflattering visuals that break what little immersion the game already had to begin with.”
- “The graphics look like crap.”
- “The game looked really cool in the screenshots but it felt like shooting NPCs in Garry's Mod. The AI bots don't make any sound, not just that they don't talk, they don't even make walking sounds and the graphics were below what I expect from a Unity game.”
optimization
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
57%
15%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance and ability to run smoothly even on lower-end systems, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, leading to significant frame rate drops and unresponsive AI during large battles. Many users noted that the simplistic graphics, intended to enhance performance, often detracted from the overall experience, resulting in a janky feel. Overall, while there are commendable aspects of optimization, particularly after recent updates, persistent performance issues remain a concern for a segment of the player base.
- “Its surprisingly well optimized.”
- “The most recent update has drastically increased performance as well.”
- “Honestly the game is really good, it is amazingly optimized and I barely experience any lag.”
- “I get that it's made by a solo developer, and I don't doubt it has potential, it's just that it's hard to get over the unbalanced audio mixing, along with the fact that since the game is centered around unrealistic scenarios with an extremely gratuitous number of units, the graphics look like ripped Unity assets in order to maintain performance, resulting in unflattering visuals that break what little immersion the game already had to begin with.”
- “The optimization of this game is not good; I barely get 45 fps when the fight starts and I have an RTX 3060 Ti that can run RDR2 on ultra above 60+ fps. I tried lowering the graphics settings to minimum and it's still getting the same fps no matter what, so I know it's an optimization problem.”
- “But it's just so unoptimized.”
stability
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
97%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues such as freezing and lag, especially during intense combat scenarios. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration over its unfinished state and lack of polish, suggesting that it may not be worth the investment until further updates are made. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game has potential, its current stability issues detract from the overall experience.
- “One of the best sandbox games I have played in a long time, and it runs great!”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense gameplay.”
- “I've experienced very few bugs, making for a stable and enjoyable gaming experience.”
- “This game is way too broken and buggy as all hell even by early-access standards.”
- “Lag central do not play; half the time it doesn't work and freezes.”
- “Very buggy and gets boring after half an hour.”
story
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
71%
20%
The reviews indicate a general consensus that the game lacks a compelling story, with many users noting the absence of a narrative or character development. While some appreciate the challenging scenarios and campaign missions, they often describe the experience as more of a sandbox battle simulator rather than a story-driven game. Suggestions for improvement frequently include the addition of a story mode or enhanced AI to create a more dynamic gameplay experience.
- “The scenarios/campaign missions are pretty tough and forced me to make frequent use of all the tools available.”
- “Great game would be better if it had a story mode but otherwise 10/10.”
- “My suggestions are just probably make a tutorial, or a story mode if possible.”
- “Fun game and the mods make it worth it if you're looking for a campaign; it's dry, no real story, just a sandbox battle sim that you get to fight in and plan overall recommend.”
- “No story, nothing new being added and it's hard to control.”
- “What this game needs is multiplayer or a story mode, and until it gets some more love, I can't recommend buying this game.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
69%
23%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, with many players feeling it requires an unrealistic commitment. While some find the gameplay enjoyable without the need for grinding, others express frustration over the tediousness of tasks, suggesting improvements like the ability to manage multiple units simultaneously to alleviate the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Currently, it is so tedious to build!”
- “Having the ability to grab multiple units at once would make it less tedious to order troops.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly enjoyable and replayable due to its mods and sandbox features, others criticize it for lacking depth and meaningful progression. Many users appreciate the fun of quick battles, but there are calls for more content and improvements to enhance long-term engagement. Overall, it seems to offer casual replayability but may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial gaming experience.
- “Played for 2 years on and off, and this game is so good, very replayable and so cracked with its mods now I love it.”
- “Very fun to play and tons of replayability!”
- “With semi-self operating AI, a variety of maps, a handful of different unit types, as well as the ability to create your own scenarios through sandbox mode, and a dozen built-in scenarios, Rising Front has a high level of replayability despite being extremely early in its development.”
- “Lacks replayability and an actual game mode with progression, but if you just want to do massive WW1 battles for a few minutes or hours for fun, it's worth it.”
- “Very fun and lag-free, though sadly not much replayability.”
- “There are only 11 reviews with over 100 hours, which I think says a lot about its replayability.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd scenarios, such as a random Franco-Prussian War update, and the comedic elements of ragdoll physics and quirky AI. Players find the combination of chaotic combat and humorous gameplay mechanics, like the exaggerated sounds of weapons, to be entertaining and enjoyable. Overall, the game's humor adds a lighthearted touch to its war-themed setting.
- “I have to say though the random Franco-Prussian War update was funny.”
- “Hilarious ragdolls, nice weapons, and the AI is incredible for a solo developer.”
- “Game is very combative and like real life; it's really funny to play. I think this is the best war game.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertisements that exaggerate the game's quality and features, particularly regarding AI performance. Players express frustration over the presence of microtransactions, especially when similar games are available for free on platforms like Roblox. Overall, there is a sentiment that the game's monetization strategy does not align with its actual value and quality.
- “Misleading advertisements”
- “But seeing as this game has been out for a year and games of similar quality exist are usually found on Roblox for free (without microtransactions), there should be little hope of any grand improvements.”
- “The advertisements for this vastly overshow what the AI can actually do (AI is awful).”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's music aspect has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the immersive silence that enhances the WW1 atmosphere, others express a desire for background music or ambient sound effects to enrich the experience. The absence of music during combat is noted, but some players feel this choice contributes to a more authentic battle feel. Overall, the lack of sound elements is seen as a missed opportunity, despite the game's strong gameplay.
- “Mixing the combat with some BF1 soundtracks makes it feel really immersive; some of the best $17 I've spent. The dev has something really golden here.”
- “This is a great WW1 shooter. It may not have any music while in a fight, but it actually makes it feel like you're there in a battle in WW1, even if it's in early access; it's great.”
- “Either music or ambient sound effects such as wind, trees, birdsong, etc.”
- “There are no screams, no music, no background noises; it's the quietest war I have witnessed in the last 20 years of gaming.”
- “No WW1 music, which is usually copyright free.”
- “I wish the game had some sort of music in the background, and I find the building mechanics a bit janky.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its unique and enjoyable qualities, particularly through its minimalist style and large battles, which effectively evoke a World War I setting. However, some reviewers note that it falls short in certain areas, such as the absence of voiceovers, which detracts from the overall immersive experience. While it surpasses some competitors in atmosphere, it still lacks depth in strategic elements.
- “The minimalist style and the large battles really give off a unique and enjoyable atmosphere.”
- “Even with its still simplistic mechanics and its lack of viable content, it achieves a pretty WW1 atmosphere.”
- “The things I love is how atmospheric it is.”
- “It is almost there from an atmosphere perspective, but things like voiceovers are still absent from the game.”
- “Even with its simplistic mechanics and lack of viable content, it achieves a pretty convincing WW1 atmosphere.”
- “Better than Total War in terms of atmosphere, but still not close when it comes to strategy.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, with moments of intense warfare evoking strong feelings, while also appreciating the developers' commitment to reinvesting in the community, which adds a layer of warmth and connection to the experience.
- “Hours of watching artillery pummel waves of troops into the ground as they desperately try to take a fort almost makes you shed a tear.”
- “I don't care about the outcome; I just think it's really wholesome of the developers to literally put the money they make back into the community.”