Wardogs early access review
It took me four attempts to successfully parachute into a Wardogs match. On the first try, I opened my parachute far too early, and was promptly sniped from the sky by one of the many sharpshooters that populate Wardogs' battlefield. The second time, I pulled the ripcord far too late, pancaking into the ground like a camo-clad Wile-E-Coyote. The third time, I pulled the cord only slightly too…
Wardogs, a recently released FPS, offers a unique blend of Battlefield and ArmA mechanics, set against a backdrop of late capitalism and the gig economy. The game focuses on a King of The Hill style objective, where three teams compete for control of a circular zone on a large map. Players begin with $10,000 and earn money through various actions like killing enemies, assisting in kills, reviving players, driving them to the battlefield, constructing bases, and even idling in the control zone (which doubles the cash rate if in the Hot Zone).
The cash mechanic in Wardogs creates a diverse range of roles and encourages players to specialize in tasks that provide immediate financial rewards. This system also leads to interesting interactions between players, such as tacit bribe wars as knocked out players seek medical attention, and medics racing to revive high-paying players.
Wardogs' blend of Battlefield and ArmA elements is evident in its large, expansive maps, with most of the action concentrated around a smaller control zone. The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its pastoral countryside, which shifts as players approach the control zone, with the sounds of explosions and helicopters heightening the tension.
The game's movement and combat systems are responsive and pacey, striking a balance between the wide-open exploration of ArmA and the fast-paced action of Battlefield. Notably, Wardogs does not feature a class system, allowing players to progress and unlock items based on their weapon and item choices, creating a more flexible and free-flowing combat experience.
Written by urgent.news from Eurogamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
