Post Scriptum

This was my first tactical shooter i used to play it alot when it was still Post Scriptum but then over the years i kinda lost interest and the game died out (also because of Squad) but now since OWI bought it ITS BACK BABY and its going to get better with the inclusion of the Pacific Front plus there are some good mods out there which add other scenarios (Spanish Civil War, Eastern Front, the African Campaign). Would absolutely recommended also to further boost the player base since OWI deserves it!

After several thousand hours, I think it's time to share my opinion on Squad 44.
The game was once a gem for those who enjoy immersive gameplay. Unfortunately, a lot has changed over the years, yet not much. I still log in basically every day, but I'm chasing memories more than enemies these days. Unfortunately, the number of active players continues to decline, and free weekends don't change that much. I think the game is on its last legs, and the last survivors are hoping for a small miracle. U can play on 1-2 full servers in the evening but servers are basicly all empty in the daytime and due to the lack of new players u can feel the veterans loosing the will.
Despite everything:
All in all, it was the best WWII experience I've had in my long gaming career.
Sound 9.5/10
Gameplay 8.5/10
Graphics 7/10
Performance 6/10

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☐ Beautiful
☑ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☐ Very good
☑ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☑ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☑ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☑ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☑ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☑ Average
☐ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☐ Worth the price
☑ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☑ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☑ 9
☐ 10

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☑ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don’t look too long at it
☐ MS‑DOS
---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't
---{ Audio }---
☑ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☐ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma
---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☐ Decent
☑ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer
---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☐ Workable
☐ Big
☑ Will eat 10% of your 1 TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☑ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls
---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☑ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding
---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☑ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life
---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☐ Long
☑ To infinity and beyond
---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money
---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☑ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs
---{ Replayability }---
☐ One and done
☐ Maybe after a year
☐ Worth a second run
☑ Played it 20 times and still not bored
---{ Microtransactions }---
☑ None
☐ Only cosmetics
☑ Slightly pay-to-progress (Supporter/DLCs)
☐ Pay-to-win
☐ More shops than gameplay
☐ Casino Simulator
---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☑ 8
☑ 9
☐ 10

Squad 44 is an excellent historical tactical shooter. In my opinion, it is the best and most realistic game in its field in terms of historical authenticity. From the Battle of France to Iwo Jima, from the Normandy landings to Operation Market Garden and many more, the game has a lot of content. As the title suggests, it's in the same style as Squad in terms of gameplay, but with a few extra mechanics. Unfortunately, the game suffers from a lack of players, but you can always find two or three servers with people. The game is still receiving updates (the Pacific will be added in early 2025). In conclusion, I recommend this game to anyone looking for a tactical shooter about the Second World War that's very realistic and authentic and packed with content, you won't be disappointed.

I have played Milsims in the past. The best comparison in this case is obviously Hell Let Loose (HLL). But at this point I'd pick Squad 44 over HLL any day of the week. This is especially true, since Offworld took over, to update the game in terms of content and visuals. These Updates have been huge, with new maps and overall impprovements. Even with everything not being optimal, when it comes to performance, this game should have a bigger player base.
For reference I will compare Sq44 to HLL, not because I think one game is better than the other. I don't. Sq44 is just more appealing to me. They outdo eachother in different departements, but end up being different games within the subgenre of WW2 milsims. The comparison simply makes it easier for me to explain the specifics of Sq44.
Main differences to HLL:
1. Tactical gameplay is a more detailed in Sq44. It is not a big step up, but it is noticable. In comparison there are tweaks to every system in the game: map and sound design, game modes and tactical gameplay, character managment and gunplay. While not big on their own, these changes overall elevate Sq44 to a more challenging game. Let's say it is not called Squad . . . 44 for no reason. And it might make the difference for you picking one over the other or playing both HLL and Sq44 because they complement eachother for that reason. I wanna mention one thing specifically. Ultimately, how teamwork is appplied in Sq44 makes the biggest differnce: since only Squadleads can ping and they also only can build Spawn points with other players from their own squad (2 free roles or 1 specialist), teamplay becomes a must, way more at least than in HLL, where you can still do things on your own (which I wouldn't recommend either) in comparison. Since additionally the ticket system in Sq44 actually conributes to the winning conditions unlike in HLL, tactics will change during the game if necessary and medics are actually a more important role. And you can feel that while playing. Players are communicating a lot more, due to it being a necessity and the atmosphere is more cooperatrive, than in other squad based games.
2. Maps: Sq44 aims for realism and a slower but intense pace, on big, more open (but not empty maps); HLL on the other hand goes for dense maps and a faster pace. Both are valid approaches. But Sq44 maps are really big and beautiful maps They even went so far to recreate Iwo Jima 1:1. And I have to admid before Squad 44's Iwo Jima I never liked the asian war fronts very much. In Sq44 I love it and after seeing it in the playtest I am looking forward to Guadalcanal. The size of the maps makes the game slower, but it doesn't take away from the intensity of the fights. To me it feels more like a distinct and slow built up, until two armies meet in a deadly crescendo, while at the same time I am still awestruck, by certain views the game provides.
3. Graphics: The game looks really good with its own style. Here and there you can see that it is not as polished as other games. But not being polished does not mean it is broken. Not at all. But you can see i.e. in HLL, that some details are just done better and more polished. But even with its flaws, Sq44 is in a state, in which it doesn't have to hide at all and it really comes down to your preference, which style you like more. Technically graphics is the one department, in which HLL lies ahead of Sq44. But not to a degree, that it is not more a matter of taste than quality at this point.
3. Sound design is amazing and the best I ever have experienced in a war game. This is where Sq44 really shines. There are sounds in this game, I haven't heard in any other game. It is a little overwhelming at first, but one gets used to it pretty quickly. Especially, when you have played similar games before. But it leads to an atmosphere unmatched in other games, I have played. It is loud but distinct, awesome, really scary and threatening at all times, even when you are not in a fight yet. This is what I'd associate with being in a war zone. The only critcism for me would be that vehicles are already very loud, even when they are still far away, which makes it hard to judge, how close they really are. Otherwise the sound offers a lot of information, that I am missing in other games. To me this difference is so big, that it is hard for me to get back to HLL because it fades in comparison, while not being bad at all. But in this case greatness outshines a job, that is "just" well done. It really feels unfair to say this. But that is simply, how good the sound in Sq44 is, Period.
4. Effects: I'll make it short. When things blow up THEY BLOW UP, and it will take a long time until I get tired of seeing a tank getting ripped into pieces. I find them a lot more appealing and immersive than in HLL. Explossions and shockwaves are impressive. And the smoke resulting from these events has a real but authentic feeling impact on the battlefield.
5. Gunplay: Guns feel and sound really good as expected in this genre and animations are very detailed. It is a really nice feel. Due to the impact of stamina on weapon sway, the ranging mechanic and how suppression is handled in the game, it also offers a layer of complexity, I appreciate a lot.
The game has two main problems.
1. There are only two servers (sometimes three), with enough players at all times: one asian and one us server. But it means there is a player base and you are not missing out. It just means the game has no options when it comes to servers and play modes. Which is sad, because you will only see a limited amount of modes, the game has to offer. Hopefully this game gets more recognition in the future. It certainly deserves it and it would hopefully result in a bigger playerbase.
2. Performance is not optimal. I am not playing on a high end pc. So performance becomes more and more an issue for me. But I can get my 40 fps out of most modern games. Sq44 struggles with that and is an older game. If this is gamebreaking for you and you don't wanna mess around with settings, don't touch sq44. It is on the good side of playable and I don't mind. But in general it is a noticable issue and it might be for you, when you play on a lower graphics card (for reference: mine is GForce 1660 Ti).
Overall Squad44 is a very underrated game at this point, even when not everything is perfect. The updates within the last 1.5 years have been incredible and make it now one of the best milsim-fps out there. And it certainly doesn't have to hide behind any other, when it comes to ww2-themed shooters. In fact it is exceeding the competition in several departments at this point.
However I also think HLL and Squad44 are games in their own rights. For new players, who never played a game like this before, I'd still recommend to start with HLL. It is a little more forgiving, and still not an easy game. For everone else I'd say it is worth gaving both. especially since you can find Squad44 for a really cheap price. But in general I'd say that for me HLL feels tame but beautifully polished, while Squad44 feels raw, brutal and unfiltered. Beatles vs. Rolling Stones. It'd be ignorant to choose one over the other. You pick both. But forced into deciding for only one of the two, even with its flaws, Sq44 will be my choice without a doubt.

First, I'll say I want the game to succeed and want more players to play and stick with it. This will be long but bear with me.
There are quite a bit of negatives here. As others have mentioned, the new developers have been struggling to fix the game and made a lot of unwanted changes. Before the acquisition by OWI, the game still had a pretty low pop, but there were a few servers fully popped and ready to play at any given time. The gameplay was a lot different and a lot more fun. It was still riddled with long standing bugs, but playable.
I was going to list the bugs and issues, but it was a bit much. I'll mention a few after the pros.
Some pros:
-Graphically, the game looks great imo. Explosions and textures look fantastic with the proper setup.
-The voice chat system is easy to use and functional.
-Weapons and vehicles are pretty authentic for the time period.
-All weapons have their own unique sounds and are identifiable.
-It's not just a run and gun type of game although you can play it that way.
-Your options as far as your role in the game are widespread. You can be cannon fodder, you can be a squad leader, you can be a saboteur, you can hunt tanks, you can be a defense builder, you can be a commander and drop artillery and call in bomb strikes, gun runs etc.
-Maps are plenty from smaller, linear maps, to larger, more open maps. There are densely forested map with difficult terrain like Maginot and Dinant to arid type terrain like Maleme and Rethymno.
-Maps are time period specific like late war and early war operations and with time period specific weapons and vehicles.
-Popular servers are well moderated and admins are often available.
-Cheaters / hackers are basically non existent. 5k hours and I've never witnessed hacks. That's not to say they don't exist, but you'll most likely never see them. At most, it's players sharing info on opposite teams.
-Games can be very intense and immersive.
Cons:
-Optimization, I believe, is the biggest issues players are dealing with.
-Lots of longstanding bugs that have been worked on but not fixed properly. It's a long list.
-Population is very low with maybe 2 to 3 NA servers with only 1 to 2 populated during prime hours. There are some European servers that are populated during prime hours, but not sure how many as I mainly play NA.
-There is a decent learning curve and a proper tutorial does not exist.
-The main issue of mine was the logi overhaul when OWI acquired the game last year.
-The logi system was changed to being radio based, meaning nothing can be built without a radio. And you can only build within the radio proximity.
It takes time to learn the game, but there are a lot of veterans with thousands of hours who are helpful. A proper tutorial is still very much needed. Ask questions and communicate. A headset / mic is a must have. Communication and awareness is essential.
Overall, I recommend the game. It's a WIP and it hasn't been abandoned by the developers. Progress is slow but it is improving. If you have the game but few hours, stick with it. If you're on the fence about getting it, buy it and help the game survive. Despite what some have said, the community is not toxic. There are some bad seeds, but there are a lot of helpful players in the community as well as on the discord. Good luck