500 hours later... I can't recommend the 1.0 release.
I have nearly 500 hours in Ground Branch, and I don't regret supporting the project during Early Access. However, I feel it's important to explain *why* I spent so much time with the game.
The majority of those hours were made enjoyable by the incredible modding community—not by the base game itself. Community-made weapons, equipment, maps, and other content kept the game fresh long after the official content had run dry.
For years, I accepted the slow development because I believed the full release would finally deliver a complete tactical shooter. I expected meaningful improvements to AI, mission variety, content, and overall polish. I kept supporting the game because I trusted that 1.0 would justify the long wait.
Unfortunately, it didn't.
After playing the official 1.0 release, I honestly feel like the game is still closer to a technical demo than a finished product. The gunplay and weapon customization remain excellent, but those systems alone cannot carry the entire experience.
The AI is still disappointing, official content is extremely limited, and there simply isn't enough depth or replayability to justify calling this a fully released game. The core mechanics are solid, but the gameplay built around them still feels unfinished.
Ground Branch has always had enormous potential, and that's exactly why this is so frustrating. I wanted this game to succeed. I defended its slow development for years because I believed the final product would be worth the wait.
I also believe the modding community deserves a huge amount of credit. Without their work, I doubt I would have reached anywhere near 500 hours. Much of the game's longevity has come from passionate community creators rather than official updates.
I don't hate Ground Branch. In fact, my disappointment comes from how much I wanted it to become the tactical shooter it promised to be.
As an Early Access title, I could recommend it based on its potential. As a game now marketed as a full 1.0 release, I can't honestly recommend it in its current state.
I sincerely hope future updates prove this review wrong.
