Black Squad

I am always a little suspect when it comes to a free to play shooter, but Black Squad is a game that I have found myself coming back to quite a bit lately. If I had to compare the game to something, I think it would be a cross between CSGO and Call of Duty, but I feel that it does enough of its own thing to make it stand out.

What Is The Deal?

I would say that Black Squad is 100 percent free to play. While you can purchase things in the game, I am very happy to say that this is not a pay to win style of game. I have so far not spent a penny in the game and never once have I felt like I have been in a truly unfair positing. When it comes to a free to play first person shooter, that is all you can really ask for.

The game is split into two teams, you either play as the terrorists or the anit-terrorists (Black Squad) and you then fight it out to the death! It is basic in terms of its “story” but it is enough to give you a reason to be fighting.

Game Modes Galore

For a free to play game, Black Squad is actually pretty stacked with game modes. The one that I have spent the most time with is team deathmatch. If you are coming to this game from Call of Duty, CSGO or Battlefield, I would advise that you jump in with team deathmatch to ease yourself into the way that the game plays.

You have competitive matches, demolitions, seek and destroy and other game modes that you would expect and want in a modern first-person shooter. The devs are always stating that new stuff is coming so the updates are quite frequent which is pretty cool. So far, I have not found any game mode be slow at when it comes to getting into a game.

Skill Over Gear

One of the things that I really like about Black Squad is the way that it is skill-based. You can get new weapons, earn money and so on. However, once you are in the battle, you are really just depending on how good you are at first person shooters. I have found working as a team is better than running off on your own and you do always feel like you have a fighting chance in every match that you play.

The game is pretty generous when it comes to the in-game currency and I never once found myself being tempted to go and spend actual money. Of course, that option is there if you want it and if you find that you get really into the game, I really do not see anything wrong with spending a few bucks here or there on it at all.

I was very impressed with this game. I know there are many free to play first person shooters out there, but I do feel that Black Squad is one of the best. Not just because of the way it strictly is not pay to win. I feel that this is a good game because it is actually a good game! It is fun to play and it puts a real emphasis on skill which is something I like in a first-person shooter. It may take a while to get good at the game, but as each match is fun, the learning curve is not a chore.

8/10

Pros:

• Plenty of different game modes
• It is not pay to win!
• Working as a team is a lot of fun
• The game does get frequent updates
• It is free to play!

Cons:

• It does have a bit of a learning curve
• It is a bit barebones in terms of its presentation

Released on Steam in 2019, Black Squad is a free-to-play military shooter that has grown into one of the most played games in its genre. The game managed to gainsuccess, even though it needed to compete against some of the biggest names in the gaming industry that are also in the same genre. Black Squad delivers heart-pounding multiplayer action for FPS fans looking for their next competitive obsession.

Adrenaline-Fueled Gameplay

The core of Black Squad's addictive gameplay loops are its diverse array of competitive 10-player battles across 48 maps. Players can test their skills in 10 distinct multiplayer modes, ranging from classics like Team Deathmatch and Search and Destroy to tactical selections like VIP Escort. Supporting this solid foundation is a staggering arsenal, with over 85 authentic firearms like assault rifles, snipers, pistols, and machine guns to unlock and customize.

This variety keeps the firefights feeling fresh, match after match. The gun mechanics shine here too - each weapon has its own recoil pattern and characteristics to master. Combined with clever map layouts that reward strategic positioning, winning battles is about more than just fast reaction times. It truly takes skill, teamwork and smart use of grenades to dominate the leaderboards consistently.

In comparison to popular military shooters like Call of Duty, Black Squad doubles down on thoughtful gameplay balance rather than overproduced set pieces and effects. This cerebral approach sets itself apart, offering more complexity for hardcore FPS fans. The custom game option only expands on this, letting players fine-tune the variables like available loadouts and maps for their own competitive modes.

The Little Touches

Supplementing the compelling core action are nice quality-of-life touches that enhance longevity. The cosmetic customization is exceptional, letting players tailor their soldier's appearance from uniforms to accessories like face paint. This personalization and progression system, rewarding players for completing daily missions, makes each hard-fought victory a bit sweeter.

The fair free-to-play structure also ensures a level playing field - the in-game store focuses solely on cosmetics rather than gameplay upgrades. This is a welcome commitment in a genre filled with "pay-to-win" trappings.

Review: 8/10

Fluid FPS competition is at the heart of Black Squad and it absolutely delivers with its refined gunplay, customization depth and balanced progression systems. Though it stumbles in some areas common to multiplayer shooters, like repetitive level design over time, the total package is greater than the sum of its parts. Players looking for a hardcore military packed with hours of intense, skill-based showdowns need look no further.

Pros:

• Tightly tuned shooting mechanics
• Clever map design philosophy
• Extensive weapon and soldier customization options
• Well-implemented free-to-play structure
• Engaging progression loop

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for newcomers
• Can feel repetitive over long play sessions
• Unpolished visual presentation