Bodycam Review Summary

Fun gameplay, realistic graphics, and deep weapon customization are undermined by sparse content, performance issues, and the missing zombies mode.

Game is fun and enjoyable: Players consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and worth playing, with many praising its gameplay and overall experience. The game is seen as a great concept that delivers on its promises.

Graphics are highly realistic: The game's graphics are repeatedly highlighted as the most realistic ever seen in a video game, with many noting photorealistic visuals that are nearly indistinguishable from reality. This realism is a major selling point and contributes to immersion.

Extensive weapon customization options: Players appreciate the deep weapon customization system, which offers many combinations and allows for personal loadouts. The customization is described as excellent, in-depth, and satisfying, with a wide variety of attachments and skins.

Recent update greatly improved game: The latest major update has transformed the game for the better, improving its look, feel, stability, and optimization. Players note that the update has given the game new life and made it much more fun to play.

Game is highly immersive: The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, with players feeling like they are living the gameplay. The combination of realism and immersion keeps players engaged and captivated.

Lack of content and modes: Players consistently report that the game has too few game modes, maps, and overall content, leading to repetitive and stale gameplay. This is a dominant theme across multiple clusters, indicating a core issue with the game's depth and variety.

Performance and optimization issues: Many players experience poor performance, including low frame rates, lag, and instability, even on recommended or high-end hardware. The game is described as CPU-heavy and struggles to maintain 60 FPS on low settings, with some noting performance worsened after updates.

Zombies mode unavailable: The zombies mode is currently down for maintenance or disabled during updates, preventing players from accessing this content. This has been a notable point of frustration, as the mode is a key feature for many players.

Matchmaking with friends broken: Players report significant issues with matchmaking, particularly when trying to play with friends. Problems include being unable to join servers, being split from the party, and a lack of functioning skill-based matchmaking, making the multiplayer experience frustrating.

Game gets boring quickly: Players report that the game becomes boring and repetitive after a short time, even when playing with friends. The lack of variety in modes and maps contributes to this rapid loss of interest.

Realistic tactical FPS experience: The game is consistently described as a realistic, hardcore tactical first-person shooter with photorealistic graphics and realistic weapon handling. It is also seen as a war simulator and mil-sim title.

Extensive weapon customization options: The game offers deep weapon customization, including attachments with stats, muzzles, grips, sights, and a full loadout system. Players can modify weapons to suit their playstyle.

Multiple game modes including deathmatch: The game includes a variety of game modes, with deathmatch being a common theme. There are at least seven modes, including competitive and bomb modes, though many are variations of deathmatch.

Bodycam perspective enhances realism: The game features a distinctive bodycam-style perspective, with a camera adjustment mechanic that adds to the immersive, realistic feel. This is a standout visual feature.

Zombies mode present but disabled: A zombies mode exists with maps like Asylum and Village, mystery boxes, and mini bosses, but it is currently unavailable or disabled. This mode is similar to Call of Duty Zombies with easter eggs.

Game runs well on high-end systems: Multiple reviewers report high frame rates (70-160 FPS) on ultra settings with DLSS or frame generation on powerful hardware like RTX 5080, 4060 Ti, and 6900 XT. This indicates the game is well-optimized for modern PCs.

Frame generation improves FPS: Using DLSS or FSR frame generation significantly boosts frame rates, often doubling or tripling performance. Many reviewers recommend enabling these features for a smoother experience.

Overall optimization praised: Several reviewers explicitly state the game is well-optimized, with stable performance and consistent improvements. This positive sentiment is common across different hardware configurations.

High system requirements: The game is demanding and requires a powerful PC to run well, especially at high settings. Reviewers note that even mid-range systems may struggle without upscaling technologies.

Crashes and freezes reported: Several reviewers experienced crashes, freezes, and even system reboots while playing. These stability issues are a common complaint, particularly on certain hardware or after updates.

General recommendation to try: Many reviewers recommend the game, often suggesting it is worth trying at least once. This indicates a generally positive reception, though not necessarily a strong endorsement.

Recommended for realistic shooter fans: The game is frequently recommended to players who enjoy realistic, immersive, and tactical FPS experiences. This suggests the game's core appeal lies in its realism and tactical depth.

Buy only on sale: Multiple reviewers state the game is not worth full price but is a good purchase when discounted, especially under 20 euros. This suggests the game's value is tied to its price point.

Not worth current price: Some reviewers feel the game's positives do not justify its high asking price, especially given its current state. This suggests a value-for-money concern.

Alternative to mainstream shooters: The game is recommended for players tired of battle royale or the Call of Duty/Battlefield formula, offering a fresh take on the genre. This highlights its uniqueness.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00.

Session length: 0.5h.

Endgame: 10.0h.

Bodycam delivers an immediately fun and visually impressive experience, but the novelty wears off quickly (within 1-2 hours) as repetitive gameplay, limited maps, and slow progression lead to rapid boredom.

Friction: No tutorial, hard to figure out how the game works; Slow grinding for weapons and attachments; Movement feels alien at first; PvE/private match progression removed; Repetitive maps and gameplay.

Unlock drivers: Getting used to the movement; Playing with friends; September update with progression and matchmaking improvements; New content and updates.

Immersion Seeker: Slow, tactical, appreciates sound and visuals, uses high-end hardware, plays solo or with friends. Motivation: Experiencing photorealistic, immersive combat and atmosphere. Stance: buy.

Tactical Milsim Veteran: Methodical, uses communication, prefers objective modes, values weapon handling and realism. Motivation: Realistic tactical combat, teamwork, and immersion in a milsim-like environment. Stance: buy.

Casual PvE/Co-op Player: Plays with friends or bots, enjoys zombies, private matches, avoids PvP. Motivation: Relaxed, immersive co-op play without PvP pressure. Stance: sale.

Across the six largest hardware cohorts, performance is inconsistent: lower-VRAM Windows systems often struggle with optimization and stability, while mid-range and high-end systems show mixed results with some users reporting smooth gameplay and others facing crashes or fps drops.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: mixed. Performance varies widely: some users get stable 50fps on max settings, while others need low settings or experience fps drops and crashes.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM: mixed. Frame generation causes issues for some, but others report smooth performance without it; overall optimization is inconsistent.

Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM: negative. Many users report stutters, fps drops, and inability to reach 60fps without upscaling, along with network lag and instability.

Steam Deck: The Steam Deck experience for Bodycam is playable but requires significant tinkering with upscaling and frame generation to achieve acceptable performance. Additionally, Linux/Proton compatibility is fragile, with recent updates breaking the game and uncertainty about anti-cheat support. Overall, it is a tinkering-required experience with potential for breakage.

Linux and Proton: The game shows mixed Linux/Proton compatibility. A large number of users report it runs out-of-the-box on various distributions, while others need Proton version changes or launch options. Occasional crashes and some launch failures exist, but they are not the dominant experience. Performance issues appear hardware-specific. Anti-cheat uncertainty is a future concern, not a current blocker. Overall, the game is mostly playable on Linux with minor tweaks for some users.

Monetization: The game, Bodycam, is a premium-priced title that also sells cosmetics for real money. Reviews reveal that some skins provide gameplay advantages (pay-to-win), most customization is locked behind a paywall, and developers removed free currency earning to force real-money spending. While a few players report no pay-to-win and free cosmetics, the overwhelming evidence points to aggressive and predatory monetization practices.

External guides: The primary user complaint is the lack of transparency in weapon stats and equipment UI, which forces players to seek external information to understand game mechanics. Additionally, there are reports of technical bugs including alt-tab freezes and a security exploit.

Early access with microtransactions: Players frequently note the game is in Early Access, with some mentioning it is close to version 1.0 and has a roadmap for 2026. One review highlights that it is sold with microtransactions despite its early state.

Comparisons to Tarkov and COD: The game is often compared to Escape From Tarkov and Call of Duty, with reviewers noting its realism gap to Tarkov and its superior feel compared to COD. Some describe it as a better version of Tarkov, Siege, and COD.

High PC requirements: Multiple reviews state the game requires a powerful or high-end PC to run comfortably. This is a common concern for players with average hardware.

Developed by small indie team: The game is made by a small studio, with some reviews specifying only about two developers. This is often mentioned in the context of setting expectations for scope and polish.

Paid cosmetic skins available: The game includes a shop with many paid skins, and in-game purchases for cosmetics exist. This is a notable monetization aspect for an Early Access title.