The recent closed pre-alpha playtest for Bulkhead's upcoming first-person shooter, Wardogs, has generated overwhelmingly positive player feedback, with many participants comparing the experience to "the good old days of gaming." The shooter aims to occupy a middle ground between accessible titles like Battlefield and Call of Duty, and more realistic hardcore experiences such as Escape from Tarkov and Squad.
The playtest, which included approximately 4,000 players across two sessions on June 26 and 27, saw high demand. Bulkhead noted the need to monitor attendance, indicating that "If you don't show, you'll be swapped out for someone who will." This increased player count compared to previous private tests led to significant social media discussion.
Many players lauded the game's core mechanics. YouTube creator AirwingMarine described the movement and shooting as "really good," noting that the game "ran great" and combined enjoyable aspects of Battlefield with engaging progression systems. Another creator, MrAtomicDuck, offered a brief but positive assessment, stating, "They've nailed it."
Some participants provided more detailed critiques. Aherys, who is also a game director for an upcoming horror extraction shooter, praised Wardogs' performance, gunplay, vehicles, and game mode. However, Aherys suggested that player visibility needs improvement, citing difficulties spotting enemies in foliage. This concern was echoed by other players on platforms like Reddit, with user Shoddy-Laugh-9629 also mentioning visibility issues. Additionally, some players reported balancing problems with sniper rifles, leading to lobbies where all players opted for them.
Reddit user sbargox321 expressed that Wardogs delivers "everything I wanted Battlefield to be," striking a balance between Battlefield's casual approach and the realism found in titles like Hell Let Loose or Squad. Despite encountering a couple of technical issues, sbargox321 reported consistent frame rates above 110 FPS and concluded that the pre-alpha build was more polished than many other games at a similar development stage.
Twitch streamer ThatFriendlyGuy offered high praise, stating the game evoked a feeling of "the good old days of gaming." This sentiment aligns with Bulkhead's stated goal of capturing "dad game" vibes, as previously described by co-founder and CEO Joe Brammer. Information regarding future Wardogs playtests is expected to be announced via the game's official website.