Enlisted PS5 Review: A Squad-Based FPS That Delivers on Its Promise

Enlisted is a free-to-play squad-based multiplayer tactical first-person shooter game. Its closed Beta for PlayStation 5 commenced on March 2, 2021. Subsequently, the game entered open beta testing on PC on April 8, 2021 and is available on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 and PlayStation 5. In this PlayStation 5 review article, I will provide an in-depth analysis of the gameplay, graphics, sound, and overall player experience of the game.

Gameplay:

Enlisted offers a unique gameplay experience that sets it apart from other titles in the same genre. Players take control of a squad of soldiers and can switch between them during gameplay. Each soldier has unique abilities and equipment, which allows players to strategize and customise their gameplay style.

The game features large-scale battles with up to 100 players, which adds a sense of chaos and intensity to the gameplay. You get to take charge of a team of AI controlled soldiers and a cool feature that i noticed is the ability to give them commands.

The objectives vary depending on the mode, but they generally involve capturing and holding strategic points on the map. The level design is well-crafted, with each map providing a different experience and requiring different strategies. The control scheme is intuitive, and players can easily navigate the environment and interact with objects.

Most Popular Game Modes

Enlisted offers several different game modes to keep you engaged. The most popular is the “Invasion” mode, where players must capture and defend multiple objectives on a map. The attacking team must capture all objectives to win, while the defending team must prevent them from doing so. This mode is reminiscent of classic capture-the-flag gameplay but with a more strategic approach.

Another popular game mode is “Conquest,” where two teams fight for control of strategic points on a map. The aim of the game here is the team that manages to capture and maintain control of the greatest number of points for the longest period of time emerges victorious. This mode encourages players to work together and use their squad’s unique abilities to capture and hold points.

The “Squad” mode is also available, where players can create and customise their own squads of soldiers. They can choose from a variety of soldier classes, such as rifleman, machine gunner, sniper, and engineer, each with their own unique abilities and equipment. This mode allows players to customise their gameplay experience and build a squad that suits their playstyle.

Finally, there is the “Practice” mode, which allows players to test out different strategies and practice their skills in a controlled environment. This mode is useful for new players who want to familiarise themselves with the game mechanics and learn how to play before jumping into the more intense multiplayer modes.

The level design is well-crafted, with each map providing a different experience and requiring different strategies. The control scheme is intuitive, and players can easily navigate the environment and interact with objects.

Graphics and Sound:

Enlisted’s graphics and sound quality are impressive, and they contribute to the overall player experience. The game’s visuals are detailed and realistic, with excellent textures, lighting, and particle effects. I particularly like the models for the weapons as they look super realistic. My biggest gripe with it though, is the fact that when you throw grenades they the explosions tend to look more cartoony and like a bottle of talcum powder has exploded. My other problem in the graphics department is when the tanks are fired, there doesn’t seem to be much of a punch.

The sound design is also well-done, featuring realistic weapon sounds and environmental effects. This is done so well that I actually felt like I was there on the streets of Normandy. Although the AI is buggy, they make the sound stand out more than anything else in the FPS. While on the battlefield, you’ll hear them shout to fall back when the enemy is closing in on you. Plus, when their teammates get killed, you can see them react in real time to their friends losing their lives, and you can even hear their screams, which I thought was extremely clever.

Development Team and History:

Enlisted was developed by Darkflow Software and published by Gaijin Entertainment, the latter a Russian video game developer and publisher. The company was founded in 2002 and has since developed several popular games, including War Thunder and Crossout. The development team for Enlisted included over 100 developers and took several years to complete. The game was initially released in beta form in 2018, then on March 2nd, 2021, the closed Beta went live on PS5 and it received positive feedback from players.

Notable Features:

The FPS offers several unique features that set it apart from other games in the same genre, notably the Battlefield series. One of the most notable is the ability to switch between soldiers during gameplay, which allows players to customise their gameplay style and strategize effectively.

As previously mentioned, it features large-scale battles with up to 100 players, which adds a sense of chaos and intensity to the gameplay. Additionally, the game’s historical accuracy is impressive, with accurate depictions of weapons, uniforms, and vehicles from World War II.

One really cool feature I noticed is the fact that with certain rifles, it takes only one to two shots to kill an opponent. I’m not talking about headshots either; those will definitely eliminate them. I’m referring to body shots. This realism stands out compared to other WW2 shoot ’em ups. Although it won’t be for everyone, I personally loved this unorthodox approach.

Assessment:

Overall, Enlisted is an impressive game that offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. The squad-based gameplay mechanics and the ability to switch between soldiers add a new layer of strategy to the gameplay, which is refreshing to see in the FPS genre. The large-scale battles with up to 100 players add a sense of chaos and intensity to the gameplay, making it even more immersive.

Enlisted’s variety of game modes provides players with different ways to enjoy the game, and the level design is well-crafted, with each map requiring different strategies. The game’s control scheme is intuitive, which makes it easy for players to navigate the environment and interact with objects.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The graphics and animations could be improved, like the explosions i touched on earlier. And the matchmaking system can be inconsistent at times. Some players have also reported issues with bugs and glitches, which can affect the overall gameplay experience. I personally noticed this with the AI more than anything else.

Overall, Enlisted is a solid free-to-play tactical shooter that delivers on its promises. With its engaging gameplay mechanics and large-scale battles, it’s definitely worth checking out. Given its strengths and weaknesses, I would rate Enlisted a 7.8/10.