Insurgency
Insurgency
Game
Game2018
Insurgency: Sandstorm
Developer New World Interactive
Insurgency: Sandstorm is a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video game developed by New World Interactive and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game is a sequel to the 2014 video game Insurgency. Set in an unnamed fictional Middle Eastern region, the game depicts a conflict between two factions: Security and Insurgents. Insurgency: Sandstorm was officially announced in February 2016 for Microsoft… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
442 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
75
LovedLoved
296 positive · 97 negative
95% range 71–79%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 296 | 97 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 6 | 1 | 42 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
63,914 of 74,717 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
75% recommend · 194 yes, 66 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 260 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (113,126 of 133,453 positive).
Players praise the satisfying gunplay and blend of realism and arcade action. [1][2][3]
Liked
Representative posts
- [9]
Incredible potential, great gunplay but this is a game with a dwindling player base and poor server optimization. It needs some serious attention and a few free weekends to bring it back to life. I hope they do that.
- [1]
8 years later and this still is the perfect blend between realism/arcady and STILL hasn't been replicated. This is leagues more fun than what FPS games we have currently. (Black Ops 7 & BF6)
- [6]
Game is a fun and realistic shooter, not arcadey like battlefield or CoD games, with many weapon options and customization options. Fun to play, however probably has THE worst community of any game I’ve ever played. Expect the N word daily
- [2]
Excellent FPS with really satisfying gunplay which is a mix of run and gun and a slower more tactical style. The sound design is really great with the snap of bullets whizzing passed your head and guns are LOUD. It reminds me of that scene in The Rock where Sean Connery is mag-dumping bad guys and Nic Cage is shouting but you can't hear a word he says over the gunfire. The community is chill too, i've barely …
- [10]
Great game, especially with friends. However the devs are the laziest people on the planet. Barely release updates and when they do, its the most dissapointing piece of ♥♥♥♥. "Major Update" adds 2 scopes which are the exact same after weeks if not months of nothing.
Summarised from 34 of the 306 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 10, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Insurgency: Sandstorm sits at 75% positive across 393 opinionated reactions from 2 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Insurgency: Sandstorm received acclaim from critics for its realistic gameplay and atmospheric sound design. VG247 rated Sandstorm as "one of the best multiplayer games of the year". Sandstorm received an 88/100 from IGN, writing "[it] nails the balance between realism and fun", though it criticized unclear map boundaries. PCGamer rated the game 85/100, calling it "terrifying", and further expressing "I'll never forget the screaming". It received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. Sandstorm's optimization received some criticism, with Worth Playing writing "In the heat of an intense battle, your processor will also put out some heat." A more critical…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 442 · most liked firstThe PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for November includes: 💰 Grand Theft Auto V 🚗 Pacific Drive 🌊 Still Wakes the Deep 🪖 Insurgency: Sandstorm …and more. Full details: play.st/43NtckL
neutral · AI labelView post →Incredible potential, great gunplay but this is a game with a dwindling player base and poor server optimization. It needs some serious attention and a few free weekends to bring it back to life. I hope they do that.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I like this game, but DO NOT BUY THIS GAME! You will support the Embracer Group who have sacked their developers. F**CK the Embracer Group!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →love this game with a passion i really do but im tired of the lack of support and consistent buggy messes
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game effectively killed its community servers by changing how mods are downloaded and processed between the server and client. From this post, around a few months ago, they released an update that broke everything, but also... broke the downloading UI. Used to be that you could see the process happening when you were downloading mods from a community server, but now you just stare at a little window with nothing on it other than something like "Downloading" written on it. There was a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →THe pve mode is relaxing compared to most pvp games. I solely play the pve mode and it never gets boring
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →-The game is based on the Iraqi insurgency war (2003–2011). well, thanks to current events, i'm expecing a sequel soon
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is an arcade shooter wearing a Tactical Mil-Sim Body Kit Do not let the marketing or the forum hype fool you. This is not a hardcore tactical simulator. It is a mathematically rigged arcade shooter that relies on cheap engine exploits and artificial difficulty to punish actual military doctrine. If you apply real-world CQB tactics, slicing the pie, and disciplined positioning, the game’s engine will actively cheat to kill you. Here is what is actually running under the hood: 1.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was a really hard decision, but I finally decided to give this game a thumbs down. Insurgency: Sandstorm tries to stand with one foot on two different cliffs: one being arcade shooters and the other hardcore simulations. However, it fails to find a solid grip on either side, causing it to fall into the deep abyss in between. The result is a shooter where the core game design simply doesn't work. No other game rewards camping as much as this one, while punishing those who don't. This is…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As a long-term ambush player it is very disheartening to hear dev team removing Ambush out of rotation without any explanation. I know the Ambush community always had core players that have played and returned to insurgency sandstorm for over 5 years I've played as this game had one of the best VIP-extraction when played with well seasoned players doing interesting strategic plays since the competitive mode was removed in earlier life of sandstorm. I am sure some of devs have seen many of our…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I like this game because there is no horses in it and i ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HATE HORSES. Horses have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ me for the last several times being around them, my ass hurts, my back hurts and most of all my feelings hurt. ♥♥♥♥ them horses. Also, i enjoy the deep hatred and racism i encounter on this game, being talked to like i am a real piece of ♥♥♥♥ and im talking like bottom of the construction site porta potty ♥♥♥♥. 10/10 would recommend this game to a friend. One recommendation tho is if they…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →if you're in asia every server is practically unplayable due to the high ping other than the checkpoint pve gamemodes
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For a niche and rather old game, the devs should treat the existing players with a bit more respect and put ambush back.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →8 years later and this still is the perfect blend between realism/arcady and STILL hasn't been replicated. This is leagues more fun than what FPS games we have currently. (Black Ops 7 & BF6)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game is a fun and realistic shooter, not arcadey like battlefield or CoD games, with many weapon options and customization options. Fun to play, however probably has THE worst community of any game I’ve ever played. Expect the N word daily
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →*DO NOT PURCHASE* They do not allow you to report cheaters anymore, it just says "Error" and they are rampant. I used to love this game. They want you to keep buying the ♥♥♥♥ though, without any kind of moderation. Just pass this up and play something else, you will be better off.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Do not recommend at this point. Too many bugs, devs and publisher not interested in the stability of the game anymore.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →PvP mode is full of lethal Airsoft LARPers who are on the registry but other than that fun game
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →2nd game of day 3 here at Buckeye Game Fest is Werwolf: Insurgency in Occupied Germany, 1945-1948 from Legion Wargames. Very cool COIN inspired asymmetric game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Excellent FPS with really satisfying gunplay which is a mix of run and gun and a slower more tactical style. The sound design is really great with the snap of bullets whizzing passed your head and guns are LOUD. It reminds me of that scene in The Rock where Sean Connery is mag-dumping bad guys and Nic Cage is shouting but you can't hear a word he says over the gunfire. The community is chill too, i've barely encountered any try-hards or cry babies like in some other FPS games. There's also an…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →W game. Love the community and getting called the N word 1000 times by white people AS a white person.... Its all part of the game. Best 91 hours ive ever spent in my lifetime.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →modern call of duty but actually good instead of nicki minaj and obnoxious slop eating streamers
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game, especially with friends. However the devs are the laziest people on the planet. Barely release updates and when they do, its the most dissapointing piece of ♥♥♥♥. "Major Update" adds 2 scopes which are the exact same after weeks if not months of nothing.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm an Insurgency veteran, having played it since its first release as a Half-Life 2 mod in 2007. I have also played the "second" title, which was released in 2014 as a standalone game on the newer Source engine. Insurgency is a tactical-based first person shooter that offers you a big amount of weapons, attachments, and character customization. The focus is primarily infantry, and so are the maps designed. Unlike the older titles, you have limited vehicle usage in this title (drivable…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun tactical gameplay, ain’t much out there like it. Shame the parent company’s CEO is a scumbag.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Insurgency: Sandstorm is a great game. Though, there are serious problems with the community at the moment. In every game you go to, it is almost guaranteed that you will be killed by a hacker because of the game using Easy Anti-Cheat. I will still play Insurgency and enjoy it, but the hackers make a lot of sessions unplayable. I do not recommend this game in its current state. ALSO... the community is racist, homophobic, and literally everything else you could imagine. i joined a game to hear…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the game is dead now :( not dead dead but dead expect to not be able to play almost all mode but for 3-4 and expect long Q,s for games when the servers that are active are full. this review if for the base game not the commuinty servers
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Actual mil sim game without the WORST controls and toxic 30 year old man fanbase that larp
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Games leaving Game Pass on January 15th: - Those Who Remain. - Insurgency: Sandstorm - Exoprimal - Figment: Journey into the Mint - Escape Academy - Common'hood
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is the perfect balance of arcade-realism. If you liked older COD titles such as MW2 (the original from 2009) this is a brilliant game to try when on sale. Movement is slow but smooth and balanced as people that try and drop shot or bunny hop will get a huge delay before firing or aiming. Weapon handling feels very smooth and the TTK is quick, no player is a bullet sponge. Some people may find this frustrating by being sniped by someone hiding with an AR on semi-auto or someone…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Devs really know what needed to be done to make this tactile FPS stand out for a sea of mediocrity. A great mix of tactical realism wrapped in fast paced gameplay that skirts the line somewhere between the ARMA series and CS2. Their attention to detail is well above the bar that most players might not notice at first. Realistic ballistics using pre-simulated physics, effecting bullet penetration, armor behavior and even bullet ricochets. It's pure chaos at times! Everything from weapon…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Play this game if you like co-op against AI and if you like Rainbow 6 Rogue Spear back in the days. This is one of those games where when you only have an hour free time to play game and just want to have some quick fun. I recommend picking up this game during sales. Wish the dev would continue developing this game and maybe have a part 2 to it!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This summer I had the chance to sit down with game designer Brian Train 🎲 While we played his weird abstract Counter Insurgency game, Guerilla Checkers, we talked about the future of wargaming. It was very cool, and I had the good idea to record it 🧠 youtu.be/vyyxGy_xF7I
neutral · AI labelView post →I hate this game.... 8/10 Just take your time moving and shooting, 89% of people hide in a corner all match. *Edit Community is racist and toxic but I also contribute to that.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I wish I played this instead of Squad... It's the real battlefield formula but you know better and more fun. Super underrated. There should be a game like this but more user friendly.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This week we shall present Top Five blog articles published on The Boardgames Chronicle in 2024. Number #5: We start with the Vijayanagara a great COunter INsurgency adjacent game. Also, a true discovery for me. Link to article: theboardgameschronicle.com/2024/08/17/f... @gmtgames.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →Thank every god and existence for the support on this game not being cancelled. thank you Focus Entertainment, make a new insurgency game and ill record voicelines of me screaming for free
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was arguably the best choice for a FPS on console. After buying a PC that can run other games at higher framerates/graphics, there's way better FPS options to choose from. Zero team balancing. The game does not care if you're new, it throws you to the wolves. You can be rank 1-20 playing against a stacked team of ranked 200-2000 players that haven't showered in weeks. Rather toxic community. For an older game that's had a dwindling player base, you'd think the ones' that love this game…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Away game of Wars of Insurgency
neutral · AI labelView post →My Favorite Wargame Cards – A Look at Individual Cards from My Favorite Games – Card #56: SA-2’s from Fire in the Lake: Insurgency in Vietnam from GMT Games. theplayersaid.com/2025/11/27/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →playing a mainline Call of Duty game is surreal after several years of not playing an FPS other than, like, Insurgency or Ground Branch. genuinely so fast paced as to be bewildering to engage with in multiplayer.
neutral · AI labelView post →After I stopped playing CS, I was looking for a truly realistic shooter. I saw a lot of positive reviews for Insurgency: Sandstorm, and in my opinion, they are absolutely justified. The game is incredibly realistic and, at least for me, much more challenging than CS. It often happens to me that I don't even see the enemy and I am instantly dead the second I run out. I definitely recommend this game to anyone looking for a realistic shooter, and I believe you will be thrilled with it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My Favorite Wargame Cards – A Look at Individual Cards from My Favorite Games – Card #78: Hamburger Hill from Fire in the Lake: Insurgency in Vietnam from @gmtgames.bsky.social theplayersaid.com/2026/05/19/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →I don't know what happened to this game on pc but all of a sudden this game went from 160fps and smooth to barely 40 and quickly dropping to 19 or even 4fps with constant freezing. I cant go 1 second without a freeze making this game impossible to play. My i5 may be old but it used to play this game just fine and now I ♥♥♥♥♥ itself when you try to boot it up
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just got around to shooting a 14-minute unboxing video of Werwolf: Insurgency in Occupied Germany 1945–1948 from Legion Wargames. This is a very beautiful game and I cannot wait to give it a try!
neutral · AI labelView post →My Favorite Wargame Cards – A Look at Individual Cards from My Favorite Games – Card #91: DoD Contractors from Andean Abyss: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Columbia from @gmtgames.bsky.social theplayersaid.com/2026/08/25/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →1.20 update broke all mods, makes it buggy and almost impossible to play.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Let me present today the newest COunter INsurgency (COIN) game - The China's War. We will check the components and talk a bit about mechanics. Enjoy! theboardgameschronicle.com/2026/02/06/u... @gmtgames.bsky.social #BrianTrain @volko.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →The only FPS game I play. Everything else in the FPS genre has become fecal in nature
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Used to be an amazing game, specifically the modding side. Mod.io basically broke my personal favorite part of the game tho. a real shame
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just got back from a short spring break trip to find this on my doorstep! Werwolf: Insurgency in Occupied Germany, 1945-1948 from Legion Wargames. This is a final proof copy that the publisher sent on to us. Hoping to get this tabled at Buckeye Game Fest.
neutral · AI labelView post →this game makes most shooters feel fake. Here, every bullet matters, every sound matters, and every bad peek sends you back to the menu. Pure tension. Pure teamwork. Pure tactical FPS.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Amazing gameplay, should be brought back to Gamepass to increase playerbase...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Walked into a game with five other guys, killed bunch of fellers one ran to me with a knife I shot him like 10 times with my suppressed makorov then a teammate exploded Best war game (soon gonna play more)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I can only recommend the coop mode tbh. Kind community and it's pretty easy to find your role. Versus is toxic and much less forgiving, empty too. If you want good MP combat, do Battlefield 6
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love this game. The fact that you can wipe the whole enemy team with a single mag is awesome. Say yes to fast dynamic shooters with low ttk.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →if you want a team based game this is not the game for you but if you wanna be a hero and have 7 other players saying good job when you get 106 kills then this is the game for you
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My Favorite Wargame Cards – A Look at Individual Cards from My Favorite Games – Card #86: LRRP from Fire in the Lake: Insurgency in Vietnam from @gmtgames.bsky.social theplayersaid.com/2026/07/14/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →would be fun if 90% of the playerbase wasnt level 400000000 sitting in their god spots farming kills many such cases
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Best shooter i have ever played but until the developers actually work on this game just buy something else. They have gave up they have the worst severs i have personally ever seen. The ai is out of control lately you will be shot from across the map by an enemy it wont even show ....... I just beg them to give this game a once over fix a few things and this would be number one shooter on any system...
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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