Insurgency: Sandstorm

The main pros of the game

• Realism and Immersion: Many players appreciate the game's realistic sound design, gun mechanics, and overall military simulation feel, often comparing it favorably to other FPS titles like Call of Duty.
• Gameplay Mechanics: The game features a satisfying gunplay experience, with a high degree of weapon customization and a variety of maps and game modes, including both PvE and PvP options.
• Community and Social Interaction: Some users have found a great community and made friends through the game, enjoying the diverse server options and mods.
• Balanced Action and Strategy: Several reviews highlight how the game strikes a balance between action and tactical gameplay, making it engaging without being overly complicated.

The main cons of the game

• Server Stability and Connectivity Issues: Many users report poor server performance, including lag, connection issues, and frequent disconnections, which greatly affect the gameplay experience.
• Community Toxicity: The player base is described as having a significant amount of toxicity, with instances of team killing and abusive behavior in chat, making it less enjoyable for some players.
• Bugs and Technical Problems: There are numerous complaints about bugs, including issues with AI behavior, synchronization problems, and persistent glitches that hinder gameplay.
• Lack of New Content: Players express frustration over the developers' focus on cosmetic updates rather than meaningful gameplay improvements or new content, leading to a perception that the game is stagnating.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Improved Server Options: Players desire better matchmaking systems and the return of classic server browsers to enhance the multiplayer experience.
• Enhanced Communication Tools: Many users want better voice chat integration and options for team communication, as the current system is seen as lacking.
• Game Mode Variety: There are requests for additional game modes, such as "Search and Destroy" or one-life scenarios, to diversify gameplay and keep it fresh.
• AI Improvements: Users want better AI behavior in both PvE and PvP modes, including more realistic enemy actions and improved teammate functionality.
• Optimized Performance: Players are looking for overall optimization improvements, including better frame rates and reduced bugs that affect gameplay.

Summary

• In summary, while Insurgency: Sandstorm is praised for its realism and immersive gameplay, it faces significant criticism regarding server stability, community behavior, and a perceived lack of ongoing development and new content.

Summary generated on: October 8, 2025