Wardogs Players Praise New FPS as 'Good Old Days of Gaming'

Bulkhead’s upcoming first-person shooter, Wardogs, is generating significant buzz following its latest pre-alpha closed playtest. With the developer looking to bridge the gap between casual shooters like Call of Duty and hardcore, realistic titles such as Squad, the early consensus from those who got their hands on the build is overwhelmingly positive.

The playtest sessions, held on June 26–27, 2026, hosted 4,000 players. Demand for the event was high enough that the development team monitored attendance strictly, warning applicants on social media that those who failed to show would be replaced by others from the waitlist.

Player Impressions of the Wardogs Playtest

Feedback from the community has been largely enthusiastic, with several creators and players highlighting how the game captures a specific, classic feel. YouTube creator AirwingMarine noted that the movement and shooting felt “really good,” specifically praising the mix of Battlefield-style action with a layer of persistence and progression.

Reddit users also weighed in, with user sbargox321 describing the game as “everything I wanted Battlefield to be.” Despite the build being in a pre-alpha state, players reported high levels of polish, with some noting frame rates remaining above 110 throughout their sessions.

The “dad game” atmosphere, a term previously used by Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer to describe the project's design goals, seems to have resonated with the test group. Twitch streamer ThatFriendlyGuy summarized the sentiment by stating the experience felt like “the good old days of gaming.”

Technical Feedback and Balancing

While the overall reception is positive, the test provided the developers with clear areas for improvement. Aherys, the game director for Beautiful Light, offered detailed feedback pointing out that while the vehicles and gunplay are in a good spot, player visibility needs adjustment, as enemies can be difficult to spot when hiding in bushes.

Additionally, some players reported that certain lobbies suffered from balancing issues, specifically regarding the prevalence of sniper rifles. Bulkhead has not yet announced dates for the next playtest, but those interested in participating can sign up for notifications on the official Wardogs website.

Following the “very positive” feedback from this latest round, the developer has already moved the planned early access release date forward.