Squad is hands down one of the most intense and rewarding tactical shooters out there, and after 1700 hours, I can confidently say that it’s a game that keeps you coming back for more. The heart of the game is its teamwork and coordination. Every match is a new opportunity to lead, follow, and fight alongside real players who make the experience something truly special. The chaos of the firefights, the coordination required to execute plans, and the bonds you form with your squadmates create moments of pure satisfaction. It’s one of those games where every round feels like a fresh battle, and the highs and lows of combat hit differently when shared with real people.

The Squad Lead Role: Pure Satisfaction
Squad leading is by far one of the most fulfilling roles. There’s a unique sense of responsibility and adrenaline that comes with commanding a team. Whether you're setting rally points, directing the flow of combat, or ensuring your squad works in unison, it’s incredibly satisfying to see your strategies come to life — and even more rewarding when it works out. Sure, the constant pressure can be overwhelming, but the moments of success, whether big or small, are what keep you hooked. It’s about leading your team through the chaos and feeling that rush of accomplishment when you successfully execute a plan.

The ICO Update – A Change for the Better
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ICO system when it first launched. The idea of having to adapt to such drastic new mechanics felt jarring. But with the recent 8.2 update, I feel like they've found a middle ground that works for me. The balance feels much better now. There’s still a sense of urgency and strategy, but it’s not as punishing or confusing as it initially was. The gameplay feels a lot smoother, and I’m enjoying the changes more than I ever thought I would. It’s a great example of how the devs listen to the community and adjust things as needed.

The Struggles – Toxicity, Communication Breakdown, and Optimization Woes
That said, the game is far from perfect. Lately, there has been a noticeable surge in players who are unwilling to communicate or coordinate effectively. This has led to a frustrating experience, especially for those of us who’ve been playing for a while and value teamwork above all else. The lack of communication makes it feel like you’re fighting not just the enemy, but your own team. Many veteran players like myself find it difficult to keep the team together when people aren’t willing to cooperate.

Optimization is another major issue. Even with a relatively high-end system, the game can chug along and stutter in certain situations. It’s incredibly frustrating when the game's performance holds back an otherwise amazing experience. This issue has been around for a while, and while it’s gotten better over time, it’s still not where it should be. The frustrating stuttering and frame drops can break the immersion and make it feel like you're playing a much worse game than Squad actually is.

The game also has its repetitive moments. Most maps seem to have a set "meta" that veteran players rely on, and while that’s part of the strategy, it can feel predictable at times. The fun of adapting to new situations can get lost when you know exactly what your team needs to do to win — especially when the same strategies pop up again and again.

Another downside is the influx of new players who can sometimes be toxic. The learning curve is steep, and without proper communication, things can go south quickly. It’s frustrating when newer players, perhaps unfamiliar with the game's depth or its community expectations, can get aggressive or dismissive. This has led to some veterans stepping away, which is a shame, as it affects the overall vibe of the community.

The Core Experience – Still Amazing
But here’s the thing: Despite these flaws, Squad is still an amazing game. The core gameplay — the intense firefights, the satisfaction of working with a well-coordinated team, the excitement of seeing plans come to life — is what makes it unforgettable. It’s a game that shines brightest when you’ve got a group of like-minded individuals who know what they’re doing. It can be a frustrating experience, but when everything clicks, it’s hard to find anything more rewarding. If you’re willing to overlook the issues with optimization, toxicity, and occasional repetitiveness, Squad will absolutely deliver an experience you can’t find anywhere else.

Squad is hands down one of the most intense and rewarding tactical shooters out there, and after 1700 hours, I can confidently say that it’s a game that keeps you coming back for more. The heart of the game is its teamwork and coordination. Every match is a new opportunity to lead, follow, and fight alongside real players who make the experience something truly special. The chaos of the firefights, the coordination required to execute plans, and the bonds you form with your squadmates create moments of pure satisfaction. It’s one of those games where every round feels like a fresh battle, and the highs and lows of combat hit differently when shared with real people. The Squad Lead Role: Pure Satisfaction Squad leading is by far one of the most fulfilling roles. There’s a unique sense of responsibility and adrenaline that comes with commanding a team. Whether you're setting rally points, directing the flow of combat, or ensuring your squad works in unison, it’s incredibly satisfying to see your strategies come to life — and even more rewarding when it works out. Sure, the constant pressure can be overwhelming, but the moments of success, whether big or small, are what keep you hooked. It’s about leading your team through the chaos and feeling that rush of accomplishment when you successfully execute a plan. The ICO Update – A Change for the Better I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ICO system when it first launched. The idea of having to adapt to such drastic new mechanics felt jarring. But with the recent 8.2 update, I feel like they've found a middle ground that works for me. The balance feels much better now. There’s still a sense of urgency and strategy, but it’s not as punishing or confusing as it initially was. The gameplay feels a lot smoother, and I’m enjoying the changes more than I ever thought I would. It’s a great example of how the devs listen to the community and adjust things as needed. The Struggles – Toxicity, Communication Breakdown, and Optimization Woes That said, the game is far from perfect. Lately, there has been a noticeable surge in players who are unwilling to communicate or coordinate effectively. This has led to a frustrating experience, especially for those of us who’ve been playing for a while and value teamwork above all else. The lack of communication makes it feel like you’re fighting not just the enemy, but your own team. Many veteran players like myself find it difficult to keep the team together when people aren’t willing to cooperate. Optimization is another major issue. Even with a relatively high-end system, the game can chug along and stutter in certain situations. It’s incredibly frustrating when the game's performance holds back an otherwise amazing experience. This issue has been around for a while, and while it’s gotten better over time, it’s still not where it should be. The frustrating stuttering and frame drops can break the immersion and make it feel like you're playing a much worse game than Squad actually is. The game also has its repetitive moments. Most maps seem to have a set "meta" that veteran players rely on, and while that’s part of the strategy, it can feel predictable at times. The fun of adapting to new situations can get lost when you know exactly what your team needs to do to win — especially when the same strategies pop up again and again. Another downside is the influx of new players who can sometimes be toxic. The learning curve is steep, and without proper communication, things can go south quickly. It’s frustrating when newer players, perhaps unfamiliar with the game's depth or its community expectations, can get aggressive or dismissive. This has led to some veterans stepping away, which is a shame, as it affects the overall vibe of the community. The Core Experience – Still Amazing But here’s the thing: Despite these flaws, Squad is still an amazing game. The core gameplay — the intense firefights, the satisfaction of working with a well-coordinated team, the excitement of seeing plans come to life — is what makes it unforgettable. It’s a game that shines brightest when you’ve got a group of like-minded individuals who know what they’re doing. It can be a frustrating experience, but when everything clicks, it’s hard to find anything more rewarding. If you’re willing to overlook the issues with optimization, toxicity, and occasional repetitiveness, Squad will absolutely deliver an experience you can’t find anywhere else.