Insurgency: Sandstorm, a realistic first-person shooter developed by New World Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, was recently released on console, and it doesn't seem to have the bugs from the PC version. The biggest change in this installment of the Insurgency series is the exclusion of a campaign mode. Instead, Insurgency: Sandstorm focuses solely on team-based game types with objectives to secure or destroy. Each game mode has unique features that make it diverse enough from other match types to keep players entertained.
Considered one of 2018's best indie games, Insurgency: Sandstorm has co-op, versus, and local game modes. With local, players have the freedom to test and hone their skills while fighting with an AI team to capture and destroy a series of objectives in order to defeat the opposing side. The checkpoint mode is intuitive, and there's a hardcore difficulty option for advanced players. Practicing in local can help players grow more accustomed to Insurgency: Sandstorm's quick TTK (time to kill) rate.
Insurgency: Sandstorm sets itself apart from some of the best first-person shooters with more realistic gun mechanics. The gun doesn't auto-aim or stay positioned in the middle of the screen, and players can go down with a single bullet. Instead of being able to run into the heart of battle, players will need to use caution and strategy in order to best their opponents. Ammunition also needs to be reloaded manually, but if the magazine is switched when it's low, rather than completely out, then players will lose any bullets that were left in it.
In versus or co-op, players can experience online multiplayer game types, including Outpost, where they must fight waves of AI enemies, or Domination, which pits two teams against each other to fight for control of checkpoints. There are fourteen different maps to play on, but some of them, like Crossing and Summit, are very similar. Despite a lack of diverse maps, the game has a well-rounded set of features for players to enjoy. Most of the match types will feel familiar for anyone with experience with online first-person shooter games.
One of the biggest drawbacks in Insurgency: Sandstorm is its blatant attempt to be just a little different from similar titles, like Call of Duty or Battlefield. While new match types and more realistic gun mechanics are welcome additions, some of the standard controls are counterintuitive and slow down the game. Luckily, there's a quick fix in the menu for alternative controller layouts, which are closer to genre standards. For players that want to experience the game as it was intended, there is also a comprehensive tutorial and lesson guide that explains everything the game has to offer.
Insurgency: Sandstorm is a balanced mix of realism and enjoyable gameplay, with very few downsides. The game is challenging and can take some getting used to, but even with its level of difficulty, it's still a lot fun. Insurgency: Sandstorm offers the option to spend some time with AI teammates to develop strategies and practice. Although there is no campaign mode, players can also train at the range, which spawns in different types of enemy forces. Insurgency: Sandstorm is a realistic and difficult first-person shooter with diverse game modes and hours of unique entertainment.
Insurgency: Sandstorm is available now on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Playstation 5. Screen Rant was provided a digital Xbox One download code for the purpose of this review.