Helloooooo.
Here we enter a lively subject that I like, because we don't buy this game for the graphics. Sandstorm is a hybrid on this point. We are not in the arcade like COD, nor in the milsim like arma. The game managed to find a good mix between arcade and realistic.
As a result, it's not a matter of rushing around hoping to kill terrorists at all costs. If you play without thinking about your placements, looking at the angles and clearing the pieces, well, you'll get destroyed. Knowing that according to the weapons you use, it goes from 1 shot, to maximum 3 bullets to kill. You'll also have to use smoke to advance, try to get around the opponents, hold the angles for the objective captures, etc.
However, you don't have to play in turtle mode either. Once you know the maps and hot spots well, you can play the lurker and quickly but quietly get behind the reinforcements to make a killing. Playing fast but smart will often surprise enemies who are not expecting it.
There are three game modes in PvP, which are based on objective capture. Then there's the competitive mode, for those who want to get serious. And finally, there is the cooperative mode, for more relaxed games while killing bot. The co-op mode is really well done, the bots are neither too hard nor too easy with the recent changes.
Sandstorm also introduces some new mechanics to the license. And they are really cool to use. You can now drive vehicles with a mounted machine gun, break down doors to surprise opponents in a room, shoot the hinges of doors to make them fall from a distance... The new system of command / observe which comes from day of infamy is also present. The team can then call mortars in support, attack helicopters, smoke barrage to advance... all this is really pleasant to use and it reinforces the immersion of the title.
In terms of player movement, you can jump over small objects or do a slide to avoid fire or quickly switch from one cover to another. The player's movement speed is related to the weight of the equipment you have taken. A guy with a heavy bulletproof vest will be better protected against explosions and will take an extra bullet to die, but he will be easier to aim at because he runs slower. Overall, the movement is really nice.
Last point, I want to talk about the game devs. NWI is a studio that started as an indie with the insurgency mod based on the source engine. To find an equivalent, I consider them as the indie version of CD PROJEKT RED. They are the most responsive and dedicated community devs I know. They followed the feedback on the game during the beta, made changes that the players asked for. They have the will to do well and that deserves to be underlined.
Except that...
The last updates have progressively denatured the game, with a major addition that is absolutely catastrophic.
What made the strength of insurgency was its difficulty (and still we are far from Escape from Tarkov), at the beginning you get hit without understanding where it comes from, then gradually by dint of dying stupidly you learn to familiarize yourself with the battlefield, you learn to identify the origin of a shot, the sound of the weapon, to pay attention to the sounds of footsteps, to know the maps and the "spots" and potentially dangerous areas, to know when to rush and when to post, to acquire this "situational awarness" and to communicate with your allies. And then you progress, you become good and it's very satisfying!
Besides, there was room for all play styles in Insurgency, Sniper, Gunner, Leader/support... everyone could have a good time and change their play style according to the map and their mood.
All that disappeared with Casu's "Kill Cam".
Because Jean-Casu doesn't like frustration
Jean-Casu has no time to learn
Jean-Casu wants immediate satisfaction
Jean Casu thought he was on Por***b
Jean Casu he wants to be told where the guy is who just shot him or he'll rage and ask for a refund after 10 min of play.
So Jean-Developer gives him the Kill-cam.
And Jean-developer he just killed Insurgency.
I don't recommend the game anymore as it has lost all credibility and that population.
