Black Squad
Black Squad is a modern military, lobby-driven tactical FPS that leans on classic round-based gunplay, then spices it up with multiple modes that go beyond simple team deathmatch, including VIP-style objective defense.
 | Publisher: Neowiz Games Playerbase: Medium Type: Tactical Shooter Release Date: Summer, 2017 (NA Early Access) Pros: +Fluid shooting and movement. +Punchy, satisfying audio. +Many weapons can be kept permanently. Cons: -Smaller weapon pool than many competitors. -Limited options for personalization. |
Black Squad Overview
Black Squad is a tactical first-person shooter built on Unreal Engine 3 and released by Neowiz Games. Structurally, it follows the familiar Korean lobby-shooter formula popularized by titles such as CrossFire and Alliance of Valiant Arms, you queue into matches, earn currency through play, then spend that money on weapons and gear to bring into future rounds.
Matches typically split players between two opposing factions, the Vipers (terrorists) and the Peacekeepers (UN-backed counter-terrorists). From there, the experience rotates through a selection of maps and rule sets, ranging from staple modes like team deathmatch and demolition to more specialized objective formats, including VIP defense. The overall pacing is snappy and round-focused, with an emphasis on readable gunfights and quick re-queues rather than long-form progression loops.
Black Squad Key Features:
- Varied Game Modes – A broad mix of 10+ modes, covering classics like demolition and TDM, plus less common options such as VIP-focused defense scenarios.
- Stat Tracking – Detailed performance tracking per weapon, including metrics like KDR, damage output, and headshot counts.
- Quickplay Matchmaking – Matchmaking that gets you into a game fast without requiring you to browse and camp in server rooms.
- Familiar Gameplay / Interface –Designed to feel immediately recognizable to fans of traditional lobby-based tactical shooters.
Black Squad Screenshots
Black Squad Featured Video
Black Squad Review
Black Squad’s biggest strength is how straightforward it is to pick up if you have any history with classic tactical lobby shooters. The game keeps its focus on round-to-round performance, clean shooting, and quick matchmaking, rather than trying to transform into a sprawling live-service shooter. In practice, that makes it easy to treat as a “jump in for a few matches” FPS, especially if you prefer traditional map control and disciplined angles over hero abilities and heavy mobility gimmicks.
Gunplay that feels responsive
Moment-to-moment combat is where Black Squad earns most of its goodwill. Weapons generally feel crisp and readable, and hits register in a way that supports deliberate peeking and short, controlled bursts. Sound design also plays a major role, with sharp reports and clear cues that help you understand what is happening around the map. It is not a simulation-style shooter, but it does reward good fundamentals like crosshair placement, pre-aiming common positions, and managing recoil patterns.
Modes and pacing
Having 10+ modes helps keep the rotation from feeling stale, and it also gives different player types a place to settle. Traditional formats like team deathmatch and demolition provide the expected baseline, while VIP defense adds a more objective-driven layer that can change how teams move and hold space. Because it is lobby-based, the overall loop is fast: load in, play a short match, collect rewards, then queue again.
Progression, weapons, and customization
As with many games in this niche, you earn currency from playing and use it to expand your arsenal. The upside is that the title supports permanent weapons, which helps reduce the feeling that you are “renting” your loadout every time you log in. The tradeoff is that the overall selection of weapons and customization options can feel modest compared to larger shooters, and players who enjoy deep attachment systems and cosmetic tinkering may find the personalization side a bit thin.
Who it is for
Black Squad is best suited to players who want a traditional tactical FPS structure with quick matchmaking and familiar rules, especially anyone who enjoyed older Korean shooters and wants that same style with modern presentation. If your priority is an enormous arsenal, extensive modding, or a highly customized loadout identity, the game may feel more limited, even if the core shooting remains satisfying.
Black Squad Links
Black Squad Official Site
Black Squad Steam Store Page
Black Squad Subreddit
Black Squad Facebook Page
Black Squad Twitter Profile
Black Squad System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7 64 Bit
CPU: Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.66 GHz
Video Card: GeForce 8600 or GT 630 / Radeon HD 6750
RAM: 2 GB
Hard Disk Space: 5 GB
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7 64 Bit
CPU: Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz / AMD Athlon Phenom X4 820
Video Card: GTX 560 / Radeon 7790
RAM: 4 GB
Hard Disk Space: 5 GB
Black Squad Music & Soundtrack
Coming Soon
Black Squad Additional Information
Developer: NS Studio
Publisher: NeoWiz, NeoBricks
Game Engine: Unreal Engine 3
Release Dates:
Korea: November 2014
Indonesia: June 2015 (PT.Kreon)
Japan: November 2016 (NHN Hangame)
Global Closed Beta 1: July 13 – July 15, 2017 (3 Days)
Global Closed Beta 2: July 20 – July 22, 2017 (3 Days)
Steam Early Access: July 28, 2017
Steam Full Launch: July 2, 2019
Development History / Background:
Black Squad is a first person tactical shooter created by NS Studio. Work on the project started shortly after the team established itself in Seongnam, South Korea in September 2011. The studio secured a publishing agreement with NeoWiz in 2012, then moved into a closed beta period in August 2014. Official service began a few months later in November of that year. The game expanded regionally with an Indonesian release in June 2015 and a Japanese release in November 2016. A Steam build aimed at North America, South America, Europe, and other Asian territories entered Early Access on July 28, 2017. On Steam, Black Squad proved highly popular early on, reaching over 3 million downloads within three months.