A.W.O.L. is an ambitious game that tries to create a more tactical military experience with the Build engine. Well, at least on paper. It's a pretty well made project, especially for a free game, but I didn't find that the experience was really "tactical" at all. It feels more like a classic boomer shooter in which you have to find colored key cards, but with a slower pace and the ability to aim down sight or throw grenades.
I think the main problem is the AI. Both the enemies and your teammates seem completely braindead, and it doesn't offer the slow-paced military experience that the devs tried to recreate (I think?).
The levels look good in general. I especially like the smaller levels in which you have to infiltrate an enemy base and eradicate all terrorists inside, or sabotage their equipment.
But there are also some bad levels, especially the Dubai mission which is easily the worst one. Granted, it's very impressive to create such a massive level with the Build engine. But it drags on faaaar too long and the level design is a confusing mess. The drones are super annoying to fight, and there are way too many elevators that take forever to move. (I don't exaggerate, there is one that takes a whole minute!)
Also the music in that level was very bad. In general, the music in the game is... weird? They often sound like a joke and don't match the serious tone of the game.
The story and characters are very cheesy, which is fine. That's part of the charm of an indie project. Although I'm not a big fan when developers put references that are too obvious. I'm a big fan of Max Payne, and the developers apparently are too. But I rolled my eyes with that MP reference.
I think the main problem is the AI. Both the enemies and your teammates seem completely braindead, and it doesn't offer the slow-paced military experience that the devs tried to recreate (I think?).
The levels look good in general. I especially like the smaller levels in which you have to infiltrate an enemy base and eradicate all terrorists inside, or sabotage their equipment.
But there are also some bad levels, especially the Dubai mission which is easily the worst one. Granted, it's very impressive to create such a massive level with the Build engine. But it drags on faaaar too long and the level design is a confusing mess. The drones are super annoying to fight, and there are way too many elevators that take forever to move. (I don't exaggerate, there is one that takes a whole minute!)
Also the music in that level was very bad. In general, the music in the game is... weird? They often sound like a joke and don't match the serious tone of the game.
The story and characters are very cheesy, which is fine. That's part of the charm of an indie project. Although I'm not a big fan when developers put references that are too obvious. I'm a big fan of Max Payne, and the developers apparently are too. But I rolled my eyes with that MP reference.