This isn’t a review of Foxhole, but I want to talk about it anyway. I discovered it through a friend a few days ago and picked it up on a whim because it’s currently on sale for 10.99$ On Steam and just received a large update. I’ve got so much more to experience in Foxhole, but I can say it was already money well spent.

That’s because Foxhole is incredibly unique. It is all about persistent warfare and most of the aspects of the game are player-driven in an interesting way. Basically, players on two sides within a single server cluster fight a war over a span of weeks, then a new war begins.

The two sides are fighting for control of territory but what makes Foxhole stand out is how the war effort is driven. Regions have different facilities and while players can of course fight on the frontlines, but they can also run logistics.

Weapons, ammo, vehicles, defenses and even lives, are crafted and delivered by players to the front lines. Logistics players mine resources, refine them, craft the goods and transport them to the needed areas with transport t rucks. The enemy can, of course, try and intercept them.

It’s very involved, smaller runs can be done with a simple truck. Larger ones can be made with shipping containers that are loaded onto a flatbed with a crane and then unloaded with another crane, all of which are made by the players.

Meanwhile, the war itself is constantly evolving. As real-life days pass by, the AI is researching new technology for the war effort. For example sometime today we will be able to make armored cars. Sometime tomorrow we get access to machineguns.

The game-play itself is played from a top-down perspective, and aspects like cover, mobility, and tactics all play an important role. Aiming helps sure, but teamwork and strategy are more important. There are no progression skills or stuff like that. You can jump into a war at any time and be effective. You are the same as everyone else, aside from your own personal smarts and skill at the game. It is kind of like playing a real-time strategy game, but you and every other player in the game is a single unit.

What you can do is dictated by the gear you grab, again made and supplied by players. Want to grab a gun and ammo and the hit the front line? Go ahead. Pick up a medical kit and some bandages and you’re a field medic patching people up. Even without one, you can help by loading friendly soldiers into an ambulance.

If you want to do logistics, grab a hammer, get a truck and go at it. If you want to dig trenches, grab a shovel. It’s very easy to play any role you are in the mood for. Yet Foxhole is very focused on teamwork, and that most of all impressed me the most. Nearly everyone uses in game voice communication and it’s incredibly simple to jump in and start working together. Even for a socially anxious introvert such as myself.

Playing with the Foxhole community so far has been an interesting mix of seriousness and hilarity. I’ve worked with a squad of people I’ve never met before to hold a front line. Then watched as one them yelled “WITNESS ME” and ran out into gunfire with a bayonet.

I’ve crossed a river with another group of strangers behind enemy lines taking out defenses, then laughed like an idiot when one of us drowned. I have ridden shotgun with a friend transporting a container of goods. We met up with a convoy of trucks only to run into an ambushing party who were totally only expecting one truck, not three as my friend ran them over.

Each time it has been as easy as jumping in, deciding what I want to do, and simply speaking up. The sheer ability to do what I want without being gated by experience points or special loot feels liberating.

The way the game works with the frontline and logistical side existing in tandem isn’t something I’ve seen have much success before. It’s been attempted but has always failed in my experience. Foxhole has been in early access for a couple of years. It has received continuous updates and maintained a solid fanbase through it all.

Drama happens, sure, you will find it in any online game. But the overall concept is executed quite well. The game itself is daunting at first, but once you understand the logic behind it, it is pretty simple all the way around without losing its depth. Furthermore, as long as you try, your efforts will contribute to the war, every little bit counts.

Furthermore, the players in the game have been more than willing to help me when needed. I even saw veteran players running newbies through some training on the starting island. Even if the game doesn’t end up sucking you in completely, I think any fan of multiplayer games owes it themselves to try it out and experience it first hand.

I’ve had so many unique gaming experiences with Foxhole already that I’m excited for more. Later in the war, I want to join a tank crew and see how that goes. The possibilities may not be infinite but they are vast, and who knows you might make some new friends along the way.

If you are interested, Foxhole is discounted on Steam until December 19th.

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