A couple of years ago, a game called Unrecord caught the internet's attention with its hyper-realistic bodycam shooter gameplay. While Unrecord is still in development, Bodycam offers the first glimpse into the unsettling world of first-person shooters (FPS) that mimic the perspective of a GoPro. From my initial experience, Bodycam leans heavily towards horror, despite its tactical shooter roots.
Bodycam utilizes Unreal Engine 5 to craft its environments, paired with unique cameralike movement and distortion effects. This combination convincingly simulates the sensation of being inside a LiveLeak video. Although Unrecord appears more polished in its realism, Bodycam's visual effects still produce moments of startling authenticity. However, one might wonder why these soldiers seem to have cameras mounted on their faces.
The primary distinction between the two games is their focus: Unrecord is a single-player experience, while Bodycam offers multiplayer gameplay. This raises the question of whether we truly desire FPS games that replicate bodycam footage. Personally, I'm unsure. My interest in shooters doesn't stem from a desire to simulate court evidence, and Bodycam's realism sometimes feels uncomfortable. The game's mechanics, such as arms that trail mouse movements and shaky aiming, contribute to this discomfort. For reference, the Red Orchestra games are about as realistic as I prefer aiming to be.
Nonetheless, the bodycam effect is undeniably striking. No other shooter has made me feel as uneasy as Bodycam. The game’s poor night vision adds to the tension, making it difficult to spot opponents until their gunfire illuminates them. The deafening gunfire sound effects further enhance the sensation of real combat, making gameplay highly stressful.
Bodycam deviates significantly from traditional FPS games. While I may prefer the fast-paced action of games like XDefiant, Bodycam's unique approach is likely to attract a dedicated following. However, as an early access title, it has its share of issues. My initial attempts to join servers often landed me in a training level filled with other players, leading to chaotic and frustrating experiences.
Despite these challenges, I eventually managed to play uninterrupted matches through the Quickplay mode. Remarkably, Bodycam's multiplayer functioned smoothly at launch, which is an impressive feat for the game's young French developers. Still, many early Steam reviews are critical, citing difficulties with matchmaking and the user interface, which I also found confusing.
You can tell the game’s creators are French teenagers from the main menu’s aggressive music and the default key bindings, such as the second weapon slot being assigned to "é." Adjusting these settings and adapting to the unique movement mechanics can be challenging, as the developers acknowledge with a splash screen warning players that adjustment time may be needed.
While Bodycam's awkward movement and difficult-to-see enemies might limit its appeal, it’s worth trying if you enjoy the tension of games like Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown. Even if Bodycam doesn’t remain on your hard drive for long, its distinctive approach to FPS gaming offers an intriguing, if unsettling, experience.