Tactical FPS and MilSims – the realistic shooter genre you might want to dive into

Back in 2023, I rewatched two movies that I absolutely appreciated more as an adult (and as a gamer even). These movies were Zero Dark Thirty and 13 Hours: Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Now I know I’m supposed to be talking about gaming right now, but allow me to provide you with a bit of context. 

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These movies were based on real life events and showed the courage and bravery of all those involved, which is something I recognize and greatly admire. From a gamer’s stand point, it gave me wild fantasies of being a Tier 1 military operator. And since then, I’ve been searching for games that could give me that sort of rush.

Obviously, games like Call of Duty were something I could look to. The campaign missions were (for the most part) exciting to play with a gripping story to match. However, I felt they lacked the customization and realism that allow for a deeper immersive experience. 

That’s when I stumbled upon what appears to be a niche genre of FPS games – the MilSims (Military Simulation) and realistic tactical FPS. The games I am about to mention below have given me that rush I was so desperately looking for, providing levels of realism and customization that were still definitely enjoyable without being taken too seriously. 

Squad (Available on PC)

I did enjoy playing Squad for the most part. It did lack however the kind of character and weapon customization I was searching for. But essentially, Squad puts you in a server of 100 people, 50 vs 50 wherein you can play as different factions and countries. The objective of your faction is to capture as many objectives on a huge map and accumulate as many points to win.

It seems straightforward, but in reality it goes much deeper. Each faction is split into smaller squads with each group having a squad leader. The squad leader will be in charge of leading his team based on the strategies dictated by the faction’s overall commander. Each member in the squad also has specific equipment and weapons based on their roles. 

It’s also important to note that this is all PvP which means the level of communication and teamwork required is absolutely insane. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a cog in the machine of battle? Then look no further – give Squad a try. 

Insurgency: Sandstorm (Available on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

The realism in these games often takes some getting used to. But Insurgency: Sandstorm in my opinion, might be a good introduction to the genre. It offers an exciting PvP experience with a bit more realistic mechanics with game modes quite familiar similar to that of CoD multiplayer. 

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It offers a decent level of character and weapon customization, but not enough in my opinion to go full-on tactical barbie. 

Ready or Not (Available on PC)

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The full game came out in December of 2023, although I had already experienced it way back in early access. I honestly have nothing but high praises for this game. Ready or Not puts you in the shoes of a SWAT team trying to accomplish certain objectives each mission (i.e. eliminating threats, rescuing civilians, defusing bombs etc.).

I feel like this game provides such a unique PvE experience. You can either command a team of A.I., or jump in with your friends in a team of five to complete each mission. The combat is purely CQB with the enemy A.I. being some of the most difficult I’ve ever encountered in a video game. The game also has a ton of jump scares which is why I always refer to it as the FPS Phasmophobia.

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I also love the level of character customization in this game. You can customize the gear you bring, the clothes you wear even all the way down to your timepiece. The weapon customization is also pretty good, but nothing too crazy. This game is definitely worth giving a try. 

Ground Branch (Available on PC)

Ground Branch is a bit similar to Ready or Not, but just on a bigger scale in my opinion. The PvE experience allows you to set the mission parameters, objectives and enemy A.I difficulty. The maps are even bigger than that of Ready or Not, so it allows for various combat situations and not just CQB. 

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Unique to Ground Branch is also its PvP game modes. It allows you to hop into a server and tactically work your way to achieve objectives and eliminate the opposing team (of actual players). 

The level of player and weapon customization is probably some of the best I’ve seen. But I think what sets this game apart is how detailed the weapon customization is. You can stack all the attachments you can possibly fit onto your weapons system. You can make it look as realistic as possible or go for some of the goofiest builds you can think of. 

The game is currently in early access. But it’s absolutely playable and enjoyable in its current state, especially with friends. 

Honorable Mentions

I have dabbled in Arma 3 and Escape from Tarkov. But if I’m being honest, I think I’m too much of a noob in this genre to truly appreciate these titles. Zero Hour is another title I have yet to play, but it does look intriguing. From what I can see, it’s quite similar to Ready or Not. Hell Let Loose from what I know is similar to Squad, but instead the setting is in WWII which makes it quite unique as well.

Either way, from what you’ve read today, you can definitely see that there’s so much to explore in this genre. Each title can provide you with unique experiences that you can definitely enjoy with like-minded individuals. So if you’ve had dreams of being a military operator like myself, then I would highly recommend giving some of these titles a try.

Photos from Steam