After years of playing various military simulators, ‘Squad 44’ by Offworld Industries instantly grabbed my attention when it appeared on the list of games to review. The Steam page states “The most authentic tactical WWII shooter, promising a brutal level of realism and an impressive array of meticulously recreated weapons and vehicles”. It’s a statement, no doubt, but one that has my attention so I am eager to jump in and see if the hype lives up to the reality!

Squad 44 has recently been acquired by the developers that have arguably the best militarism game on the market currently, ‘Squad’, so it will be interesting to see how the game ends up in the next few years. The game is essentially a mass multiplayer, first-person shooter, set in WWII. Finding an Australian server, I joined a small village and immediately heard shooting and started heading that way. Jumping over fences, and running through fields of crops, the game is essentially what all military sim games are, capture and hold the objective.

You have a basic map that suits the 1940s time period and you have to work towards capturing the objections with the brigade. Along the way you can set up forward operating bases by dropping radios, sandbag bunkers, and machine gun emplacements – this list goes on, to ensure you can get back into the fight quicker after you die rather than starting at the initial spawn point.

The game really comes alive when you have a squad of players that want to work together for an objective, using the in-game communication system and setting markers on the map. The gameplay itself is highly strategic if you manage to play with a skilled team. It’s not just about running and gunning; Squad 44 encourages teamwork, communication, and tactical thinking to succeed.

The graphics are on point for the period the game tries to immerse you in. Whether you’re wandering through open fields, setting up an ambush in the dense hedge rows, or navigating your way through a partially destroyed village, the level of detail pulls you further into the time period with its vast array of props around the map. The vast majority of the multiple-story buildings are currently empty of details, but I am sure the devs will work on this as they continue to optimise the game.

You can tell the developer has put a lot of time and detail into the explosions, the blackening of your screen when bullets whiz by your head, bullets impacting the ground, and even the nighttime tracers truly stand out as top quality and help raise your adrenaline as you are charging towards targets. Even the gun reloading system and the way smoke comes out of the barrel when you shoot shows the developers’ focus on the small effects of the game to help the overall feel.

The sounds of the game perfectly complement the game as well, you really feel every explosion, every bullet whizzing past you making each battle scenario that more exciting.

The future of Squad 44 shines brighter than ever. Even though the game is still a work in progress, the game in its current state still provides an incredibly solid and engaging experience. The new development team is clearly dedicated to rolling out enhancements and stabilisation. With each update, the game becomes more refined, and it’s exciting to think about where they’ll take it next.

What really sets Squad 44 apart is its ability to immerse you in the World War II environment. The graphics are stunning, giving you a taste of the 1940s battlegrounds with impressive detail. The sound design, too, is top-notch.

From the distinct echo of gunfire or grenades, every audio cue pulls you deeper into the battlefield, making you feel like you’re right there, fighting alongside your squad. Each match feels like a genuine battle and as the scores get close, you really start to feel the intensity. Whether you’re laying down suppressive fire, coordinating flanking maneuvers, or holding the line with your squamates, it is just plain fun!

Written by: Mikey B