Thunder Tier One

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,673 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Thunder Tier One Game Cover
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Thunder Tier One is a top-down tactical co-op shooter set in the 1990s. Players take on the role of elite operatives tasked with defeating a global terror threat. The game features realistic weapon behavior, destructible environments, and mission planning. Work together to complete objectives, secure the area, and extract safely.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,673 reviews
story54 positive mentions
replayability4 negative mentions
  • Great tactical gameplay that combines elements from classic shooters like SOCOM and Ghost Recon.
  • Extensive customization options for characters and weapons, allowing for varied playstyles.
  • Fun and engaging multiplayer experience, especially in co-op mode with friends.
  • AI teammates are often unresponsive and can hinder gameplay, making solo play frustrating.
  • Limited content with only a few missions available, leading to quick burnout.
  • The game has been abandoned by the developers, with no future updates or new content planned.
  • story359 mentions

    The game's story is described as minimal and somewhat bare-bones, with only nine missions that players can complete relatively quickly, leading to a sense of limited content. While the missions themselves are varied and offer tactical gameplay, many players feel that the narrative lacks depth and fails to engage them fully. The potential for modding and community-created content is seen as a way to enhance the experience, but the current state of the story and mission variety leaves much to be desired.

    • “The campaign is a really good storyline, with a nice briefing beforehand detailing exactly what you need for the mission.”
    • “Some of the missions in the campaign are absolutely fantastic, namely the sea dryad mission that feels like a recreation of the first mission in SOCOM 1, op sitting duck which pulls a neat surprise in where you have to go and cold stone where you get to hunt caches and rescue a VIP from some terrorists that may or may not be hiding in caves.”
    • “The missions are varied and fun; remaining stealthy or going guns-blazing are both fun and viable options, and the AI always makes things interesting once a plan goes wrong.”
    • “The story is not immersive, but the missions are, trying new ways to complete.”
    • “The campaign itself was fine, the story was fine, even the ending was fine... but that was all!”
    • “The game is pretty neat, tons of guns customization, armor, etc., but the AI on your team is so downright dumb it ruins stealth missions.”
  • gameplay173 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its solid mechanics, tactical depth, and cooperative options, making it enjoyable both solo and with friends. However, many users express disappointment over the limited content, with a short campaign and a lack of updates, leading to a feeling of abandonment. While the core gameplay is fun and innovative, issues such as clunky AI, camera mechanics, and a need for more diverse game modes detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is very well polished, dialogues and environments are immersive, gameplay is very fun (especially in coop, but also in single player) and can also be very challenging, and the game delivers in the 'milsim' aspect by providing a wide range of customization and realism, as much as can be given from a top-down perspective.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, fun, and I love playing co-op with my friends.”
    • “A surprising delicious blend of tactical gameplay with a top-down shooter.”
    • “It just feels like it's one of those early access titles - if they'd marketed it better, gave a few game mechanics more than a simple overhead shooter, made a storyline that could be affected by player decisions - hell, made interesting innovations in general - the good gameplay would have a 'soul' to back it up.”
    • “The limited missions and gameplay makes the game very fast reaching its end cycle/life.”
    • “The gameplay is decent with friends but only has around 3 hours of content if you don't care about the PvP modes and the AI in singleplayer is awful so co-op is really the only fun time to be had.”
  • graphics75 mentions

    Overall, the graphics of the game are highly praised, with many users noting the impressive detail, immersive environments, and polished visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. The aesthetic is often described as a blend of 90s military style and modern design, contributing to a visually appealing atmosphere. While some critiques mention occasional performance issues or basic elements, the consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature, particularly for a top-down shooter.

    • “The graphics, in terms of lighting effects, detail in the characters and environment, as well as the general atmosphere the game creates are excellent and not just for a title in this genre.”
    • “The graphics for a top-down shooter are amazing; I have played plenty in my time, and this one is gorgeous.”
    • “Graphics and audio are both top-notch; I can't ask for more.”
    • “☐ ms-dos has better graphics”
    • “Can run most games on high/medium graphics settings with stable 60 fps, meanwhile this game tanks to 20 fps constantly while on low settings?”
    • “I certainly wouldn't buy the game for its graphical quality.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While some players find enjoyment in the tactical gameplay and varied missions, many express disappointment due to a lack of content and limited single-player replay value. The potential for increased replayability through mods and multiplayer options is noted, but currently, the game feels lacking in replayable content without these enhancements.

    • “As of now, I have yet to even try multiplayer, but from my experience playing the campaign, I can assure you that the replayability is just huge there.”
    • “Once mods come into play, the replayability of this game will skyrocket.”
    • “The gameplay is highly tactical, and the missions offer a lot of replay value.”
    • “Was enjoyable on my first playthrough, but this game offers no replay value at all.”
    • “I have 100+ hours in the game and while I clearly loved it, you'll get through the content in a weekend and you'll be scratching your head as to where the rest of the content is as well as why the replay value is so low.”
    • “But, the replay value is pretty poor... procedural maps and random enemy spawns should have been a minimum... it has neither... not even terrorist hunts...”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting excellent performance and high frame rates on powerful hardware, while others have experienced significant issues, including overheating and stuttering. Overall, while some users praise the game's optimization, others highlight the need for further improvements to enhance performance consistency across different systems.

    • “Graphics are good, sound design is good, and it's decently optimized performance-wise.”
    • “I've seen complaints of optimization but have had no issues, had no frame drops or lag spikes.”
    • “The game is very well optimized, and runs at a flat 100fps with everything on ultra with a GTX 1070 and a newer Intel i7-10700F in 2K.”
    • “Performance in this game leaves a lot to be desired.”
    • “The way the game is structured, you will attempt to diversify your arsenal, but over and over the feeling of inferiority or sub-optimization will prevail.”
    • “Game does need further optimization; I've never seen my 5900X spike up to 89°C until I played this game.”
  • stability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance with no significant crashes or frame drops, others encounter frustrating bugs, particularly related to AI behavior and command group instructions. Some users have experienced minor glitches that are reminiscent of classic tactical games, but these do not seem to detract significantly from the overall experience. Despite the issues, many players still find the game enjoyable and worth the price.

    • “The game runs great, and I haven’t had any frame drops or crashes on max settings. I average more than 60fps with an outdated rig.”
    • “I fear this game will get lost in the shuffle, and it's such a shame because this game is a true gem. Not only that, it's almost completely bug-free. As of writing this, I have 9 hours in and have encountered almost no bugs we've become accustomed to.”
    • “+ Runs great”
    • “It gets super buggy when one of the AI dies, so you have to restart the whole mission from scratch.”
    • “Shooting into buildings (through windows or doors) and uphill or downhill is just extremely finicky and buggy.”
    • “The PvP is pretty trash, and frankly the game is pretty buggy in a lot of regards but still playable.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious, particularly due to the need for micromanaging AI teammates, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players find the system straightforward and fair, others feel that the repetitive nature of gameplay, especially in online PvP, can become monotonous and unfulfilling. Overall, the grind may appeal to those who enjoy farming unlocks, but it may not justify the full price for everyone.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This system is very straightforward and 'fair' towards all users, but has massive pitfalls that greatly influence a game that is based on repetition and grinding.”
    • “Online PvP feels a bit lackluster and grindy.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users finding the ads manageable despite their flaws, while others criticize the game as a cash grab that negatively impacts gameplay, particularly through accuracy debuffs and intrusive advertisements. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the gaming experience for many players.

    • “Cash grab, avoid.”
    • “Another under-cooked trash game released for a quick cash grab.”
    • “The ads are a little wonky but manageable.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a nostalgic emotional connection to the game, particularly when reminiscing about past experiences with similar titles. The co-op missions evoke fond memories, enhancing the overall emotional impact, though some feel that playing with friends could deepen this experience. While the game has strong community and customization features, there are concerns about the AI that slightly detract from the emotional engagement.

    • “The missions really took me back and made me feel like I was playing one of the old SOCOM games as a kid.”
    • “It's heartbreaking, to be honest.”
    • “Kinda touching, the community seemed really cool.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by excellent sound design, stunning graphics, and immersive lighting effects that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers note that the game successfully creates a beautiful and engaging world, making it stand out even as a top-down title. Despite its short length, the combination of diverse levels and captivating atmosphere leaves a lasting impression.

    • “The graphics, in terms of lighting effects, detail in the characters and environment, as well as the general atmosphere the game creates, are excellent and not just for a title in this genre.”
    • “Visually, the world is beautiful and extremely atmospheric.”
    • “All that is a huge shame, because Thunder Tier One just oozes atmosphere, from the drone view at the beginning of each game to the excellent sound design.”
    • “It's got the atmosphere of those games and better, but it's still a 'top down' game.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as enjoyable, with players finding amusement in the minor bugs and glitches reminiscent of XCOM, particularly the poor pathfinding of characters. While the game offers a modern twist on tactical gameplay, the comedic elements primarily stem from the quirky AI behavior rather than intentional comedic writing. Overall, players appreciate the lightheartedness that these flaws bring to the experience.

    • “Was pretty funny, so it's cool, I guess.”
    • “Their pathfinding is hilariously bad (just watch them walking around the map with the UAV), and some of them just flat out ignore you at point-blank range.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is often praised for its engaging and immersive quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the diverse soundtrack, which complements various game environments and moods effectively. However, some users feel that certain tracks could be more memorable or varied.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely mesmerizing, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere.”
    • “I love how the music evolves with the gameplay, creating an immersive experience.”
    • “The variety of tracks keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, making each moment feel unique.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
7-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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