Info about RAID: World War II:

Official game description:
Special Edition
===============
RAID: World War II Special Edition includes:
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*   A special version of the in-game car Apple Red Kübelwagen.
*   The original soundtrack, complete with the “marching mace” melee weapon.
*   A special “The Admiral’s Dagger” melee weapon.
*   A decorative bomb for the camp.
*   Exclusive special edition jackets for all four Raiders.
*   A RAID: World War II comic book available in-game and as a PDF.
*   Digital Art Book.
*   Four exclusive wallpapers.
About the Game
==============
RAID: World War II is an action-packed four player cooperative shooter set in Europe during World War II, where your aim is to thwart the Nazi onslaught. Four prisoners of war – Sterling, Rivet, Kurgan and Wolfgang have been freed by “Mrs. White,” a secret British Intelligence Operative, who needs someone to take down Hitler and his Third Reich once and for all. Their objective is to fight the war - without rules or mercy. Their reward is all the Nazi gold they can carry.
THE RAID GANG - For glory, but mostly for money.
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Our four heroes are drawn from the main combatants in the European theater of World War II - Great Britain, USA, Germany and the Soviet Union. Each character has their own look with fully customizable uniforms making you stand out on the battlefield.
CLASSES - Play it your way
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Choose from four different classes each with their own unique sets of playstyles and weapons.
Pick off your enemies with precision as Recon, drown the Jerries in lead as Assault, soak up bullets as Insurgent, or blow everyone to smithereens as Demolitions.
Unleash your Warcry- powerful abilities that buff you and your allies to help you turn the tide of battle.
MISSIONS - Burn the enemy alive!
--------------------------------
Raid places of historic importance across war-torn Europe. From the mighty Flakturm dominating the heart of Berlin, or the idyllic Bridge over the river Elbe, bring destruction to Nazis in every corner of Hitler’s Reich.
Find secret documents to unlock special Outlaw Raids, where you go behind your employers back and only focus on lifting as much gold for yourself as possible.
Take on extended missions called Operations, a chained series of Raids set in familiar locations, featuring new storylines and objectives. The risks are greater, but so are the rewards!
CHALLENGE CARDS - There’s a twist
---------------------------------
Earn and use collectable Challenge Cards that let you spice up a mission in all kinds of ways. You may want a little health boost to get you across the finish line, tackle a mission with only pistols, or perhaps scuttle your way to victory using the fan “favorite” Crab People.

Release date: Sep 26, 2017

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, First-Person Shooter, Heist Simulation, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Mission-based Gameplay, Stealth Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair Monetization - No MTX; summary: User reviews indicate RAID: World War II is perceived as a low-effort cash grab with concerns about future DLC, but no evidence of current microtransactions, pay-to-win elements, or predatory monetization. Complaints focus on game quality and value, not in-game purchases.
- Proton/Linux: score 20; verdict: Works with minor tweaks; summary: Based on the available Linux user review, the game runs well on Linux using Proton GE, with a minor performance issue during shooting sequences. No other Linux-specific compatibility problems were reported, indicating good Proton support.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews explicitly mention that the game is worth around $10, especially on sale, and advise against paying more. The current base price of $9.99 aligns with this sentiment, but the community considers $10 as the upper limit for fair value, with many recommending waiting for a sale that drops the price further, indicating $5–$10 as the acceptable range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The story completion metric is directly supported by a reviewer stating it took 6 hours to beat all missions once. The game completion metric is supported by another reviewer claiming that 'in less than 10 hours you can do everything', suggesting that the full game can be completed within 10 hours (upper bound). Session length is reported as a wide range from 15 minutes to hours on end, with no typical single value, so it is set to null. No specific endgame playtime is reported; the only mention of 500 hours refers to grinding for a single item, not a typical endgame duration, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Player reports are mixed; some find the game enjoyable immediately, while others describe a boring grind until later unlocks or after a major update. The game's fun profile depends on player tolerance for repetition and the ability to play with friends.
  - Stance: Mixed
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: grinding for levels and unlocks; repetitive missions; boring early game; long loading screens; bugs; tedious weapon unlock challenges
  - Unlock drivers: progression system rework; unlocking new weapons and skills; playing with friends; adjusting to old-school recoil
  - Conditions: playing with friends; after major updates; reaching higher levels; tolerance for repetition; adjusting to game mechanics; solo vs. coop experience
- Player Archetypes:
  - Satisfied Co-op Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a fun, chaotic co-op shooter experience with friends or solo.
    - Playstyle: Plays through missions with a focus on teamwork and variety, appreciating the setting and gameplay mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: PAYDAY 2; Killing Floor; Left 4 Dead; Medal of Honor
  - Frustrated Grind-Weary Player (no buy)
    - Motivation: To achieve meaningful progression and a rewarding gameplay loop.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on leveling up and unlocking content but finds the grind tedious and unrewarding.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Payday 2; No Man's Sky
  - Setting-Loving WW2 Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: To immerse in a WW2 co-op experience with humor and over-the-top action.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys the thematic missions and class abilities, focusing on the narrative and atmosphere.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Medal of Honor: Allied Assault; Payday 2; Crime Boss: Rockay City; Call of Duty; Inglourious Basterds
  - Cautious Veteran (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To find a fresh, skill-based co-op experience without grind fatigue or exploitative monetization.
    - Playstyle: Explores skill combinations and weapon mechanics, plays for creativity and challenge.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: PAYDAY: The Heist; Payday 2


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Updates improved game greatly (weight 0.34): The game has seen significant improvements from updates, particularly to the skill system and balance. Developers are actively updating the game, even into 2025, which has earned praise for the MUG team.
- Satisfying gunplay (weight 0.26): Gunplay is a standout feature, described as satisfying, chunky, and impactful with good weapon feel and recoil. Weapons are visually and audibly appealing.
- Great for co-op and solo (weight 0.25): The game is highly praised for co-op play with friends, especially in a WW2 theme. Solo play is also doable and fun, with many calling it a great co-op shooter.
- Game is extremely fun (weight 0.19): Players consistently rate the game as highly enjoyable and fun, often exceeding expectations. The gameplay is described as engaging and entertaining.
- Good weapon and mission variety (weight 0.15): There is a good variety of weapons, missions, and objectives, with most weapons viable on high difficulties. Missions feel unique and varied.
- Worth the price (weight 0.13): The game is considered well worth the price, especially when purchased on sale for under $5. It offers good value for money.
- John Cleese humor (weight 0.08): The inclusion of John Cleese in FMV cutscenes adds great humor and charm, making the game more enjoyable.
- No paid DLC (weight 0.06): Players appreciate that there is no paid DLC impacting gameplay, making the game feel fair and complete.
- Killing Nazis is fun (weight 0.06): Blasting hundreds of Nazis without needing to aim is a satisfying and cathartic experience, a key fun factor.
- Lockpicking adds strategy (weight 0.05): The lockpicking mechanic adds a strategic element to gameplay, enhancing decision-making during missions.

Common complaints:
- Low player count (weight 0.37): Multiple clusters report that the game has a very low player count, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches. Even during sales, concurrent players are in the tens, and the servers are described as dead or barely alive.
- Poor enemy design (weight 0.33): Enemy variety is very limited, with only a few special enemy types. The AI is also unintelligent, often running in straight lines or glitching through walls, and enemies spawn too frequently or behind the player, making difficulty scaling feel cheap.
- Frequent bugs and crashes (weight 0.24): The game suffers from frequent crashes, bugs, glitches, and desync issues. Enemies can phase through walls, and bugs often ruin the experience.
- Limited weapon progression (weight 0.19): Weapon upgrades take too long with tedious challenges, weapon selection is limited, and only one class feels worthwhile. Customization options are very restricted.
- Abandoned by developers (weight 0.18): Players feel the game is abandoned by developers, has no new features or improvements since release, and still feels like an early access title despite being released in 2017.
- Repetitive and short content (weight 0.17): Gameplay is repetitive with few maps and missions, offering only around 5-10 hours of content. Enemy waves are endless, leading to boring gameplay.
- Poor AI teammates (weight 0.13): AI teammates are unintelligent, often standing around doing nothing or not reacting to player pressure. Despite updates, the AI remains stupid.
- Overpowered flamethrower enemy (weight 0.06): The flamethrower bulldog enemy is considered overpowered and hard to identify, even on normal difficulty, leading to frustrating encounters.
- Lack of polish (weight 0.05): The game is described as rough around the edges with a lack of polish in certain areas, contributing to an overall unfinished feel.
- Outdated graphics (weight 0.05): Graphics are outdated, looking about 15 years old, which detracts from the visual experience.
- John Cleese cameo issues (weight 0.05): John Cleese's cameo is either too short or feels forced and unnecessary, with only about a minute of screen time, disappointing players who expected more.
- Useless gold bars (weight 0.05): Gold bars are nearly useless after unlocking cosmetics, with no further purpose, making them a wasted reward.

Gameplay feedback:
- Heavily compared to Payday (weight 0.99): The game is overwhelmingly compared to the Payday series, often being called a spiritual spin-off or clone. Players note strong similarities in gameplay loop, progression, and overall feel, with some describing it as a "Croatian reskin" of Payday 2, though there are also distinctions mentioned.
- WWII-themed heist game (weight 0.25): The game's World War II setting is a key identifier, often combined with the Payday-like heist mechanics, creating a unique theme of stealing gold and killing Nazis during the war.
- Weapon-based progression system (weight 0.23): Players note a progression system where weapons are leveled through specific challenges (e.g., headshots, kills) to unlock upgrades or stat bonuses, making it a central feature of the gameplay loop.
- Co-op shooter description (weight 0.22): The game is frequently described as a cooperative first-person shooter with a focus on 4-player teamwork in a World War II setting, emphasizing co-op play over single-player.
- Stealth mechanics without pagers (weight 0.18): Stealth mechanics include carrying bodies, unlimited silent kills on stealth maps, and no pager system, but stealth is designed to be non-mandatory and lacks tools like disguises or climbing, often making loud combat more viable.
- Four character classes with skills (weight 0.16): The game offers four distinct classes (Recon, Assault, Insurgent, Demolitions), each with its own skill tree, War Cry ability, and weapon unlock timing, though all weapons can be used by any class after unlocking.
- Dynamic missions with randomization (weight 0.13): Missions feature dynamic objectives, randomization of NPCs and loot per playthrough, and continuous waves of enemies, with varying objectives and clear goals in short to medium-length raids.
- Mission-based with solo option (weight 0.12): The game features a single-player mode with missions and cutscenes, but it is primarily mission-based without a proper campaign, and solo runs are noted to be harder, suggesting a team-focused design.
- Enemy AI varied but flawed (weight 0.12): Players mention unpredictable or poor enemy AI, with enemies that have guns and spawn continuously in waves near the player. There is also mention of enemy classes like snipers and flamethrowers.
- Crate-based resource management (weight 0.12): The game uses a resource system where health, ammo, and grenades are found in crates across the map. Health is partially regenerating with pickups, and there is no armor bar, making resource management important.
- Arcade run-and-gun gameplay (weight 0.1): The gameplay is described as an arcade-style run-and-gun shooter with minimal stealth, encouraging chaotic firefights over careful planning, with stealth being difficult and the game pushing players toward loud approaches.
- Coordinated chatter and humor (weight 0.1): Characters talk during missions for coordination, and post-mission cutscenes include humor and puzzle-like actions, giving the game a lighthearted tone reminiscent of "Inglorious Bastards".
- AI teammates limited functionality (weight 0.08): AI companions are available in single-player mode; they can shoot and revive players but are noted to follow closely and shoot rarely, which may impact solo play experience.
- Basic weapon customization (weight 0.07): The game features realistic weapons and some weapon variety, but customization is minimal (only magazine capacity and crosshair), which may limit player choice.
- Level-based unlock system (weight 0.06): An unlock system is present where weapons and perks are tied to player level progression, providing a sense of advancement as players level up.
- Immersive WWII atmosphere (weight 0.05): The immersive atmosphere is enhanced by the WWII setting and the thematic focus on killing Nazis and stealing gold, creating a distinct vibe.
- Live-action humorous cutscenes (weight 0.05): Live-action cutscenes with humor are featured, adding a unique presentation style that some players enjoy for its entertainment value.
- Invisible walls in level design (weight 0.03): A specific complaint notes that level design includes invisible walls, which can hinder movement and immersion in the game world.
- Plug-and-play experience (weight 0.03): The game is described as plug-and-play, suggesting easy setup and straightforward entry without complex prerequisites.
- Older graphics style (weight 0.03): The game uses an older graphics style, which may appeal to players who prefer retro aesthetics but could be a downside for those seeking modern visuals.

Performance notes:
- Severe optimization and FPS issues (weight 0.11): The game suffers from poor optimization causing FPS stutters and drops, especially during shooting or with shotguns. Some users note it is worse than Payday 2 and that settings do not help.
- Worse optimization than Payday 2 (weight 0.06): Multiple players state the optimization is much worse than Payday 2, citing lower FPS and a weapon sway bug.
- Very long loading times (weight 0.06): Loading times, especially for the safehouse, are reported as very long. This impacts the overall pacing and player experience.
- Barely alive servers (weight 0.03): Servers are described as barely alive, likely causing connectivity or matchmaking problems.
- Soft-locks during mission start (weight 0.03): A player experienced soft-locks when readying up for new missions, preventing them from progressing smoothly.
- Rubberbanding from peer-to-peer (weight 0.03): Latency and rubberbanding are attributed to peer-to-peer netcode, which can degrade multiplayer experience.
- Criticized Diesel engine usage (weight 0.03): The use of the Diesel game engine is criticized, implying it contributes to performance or design issues.
- Weak graphics and physics (weight 0.03): Players note weak graphics and physics, which may affect visual and gameplay quality.
- Lag on specific levels (weight 0.03): Some levels are noted to have lag, indicating performance inconsistency across different maps.
- Engine origin mismatch (weight 0.03): The Diesel engine was originally designed for driving games and Payday 2, suggesting it may not be ideal for this game.
- Subpar netcode (weight 0.03): Netcode is described as subpar, aligning with reports of network issues.
- Good performance on Linux (weight 0.03): One user reports the game runs well on Linux Mint with GE-Proton-20, suggesting compatibility on certain systems.
- Runs on most hardware (weight 0.03): One player notes the game runs on most hardware, implying broad but possibly low-quality compatibility.
- No crashes as client (weight 0.03): A player did not experience crashes when playing as a client, indicating crash issues may be host-specific.
- Decent netcode for multiplayer (weight 0.03): One player finds the netcode decent for multiplayer without needing a VPN, though this is a minority opinion.
- Acceptable network optimization (weight 0.02): Another player considers the network optimization acceptable, indicating mixed feedback on netcode.

Recommendations:
- Do not buy the game (weight 0.23): A significant group of players strongly advises against purchasing the game, calling it not worth the money. Some say to avoid it entirely, even at a 75% discount.
- Play Payday 2 instead (weight 0.22): Many reviewers advise players to buy Payday 2 Ultimate Edition instead, as it offers more content, is more polished, and is a better overall experience compared to this game.
- Play with friends for fun (weight 0.19): The game is best enjoyed with friends, and many comments emphasize playing co-op. It is described as a fun timewaster with buddies and especially recommended for group play.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.15): Several players recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing. They suggest buying at a discount or for a very low price like under $5 to get acceptable value.
- Recommended for Payday fans (weight 0.15): Several players recommend this game specifically to fans of the Payday series and Payday 2. They highlight the similar gameplay and the appeal of the WW2 setting.
- Worth the low price (weight 0.14): Multiple comments state the game is worth its current low asking price, around $10, and offers good value for money. Some also say it's worth the price of admission now.
- Dead or low player count (weight 0.1): Some reviews mention the game has a very low or non-existent player count, making it feel dead. This is cited as a reason not to buy or to buy only if on sale.
- Worth a try for genre fans (weight 0.1): Some players say the game is worth a try if you enjoy WW2 co-op shooters or the genre in general. It is considered decent for casual fun without high expectations.
- Overpriced for quality (weight 0.1): Several players feel the game is overpriced even at its current low price, calling it rushed, unfinished, and not worth the money. They mention it was originally overpriced.
- Do not buy the DLC (weight 0.05): A couple of players specifically warn against buying the DLC, calling it useless. They suggest sticking to the base game only.
- Not for solo players (weight 0.05): The game is not recommended for solo players. It is best played with friends or at least with matchmaking to enjoy the co-op experience.
- Not enjoyable long term (weight 0.05): Some reviews state the game is not enjoyable for long-term play and lacks lasting appeal. It's seen as a short burst of casual fun at best.
- Good for killing Nazis (weight 0.05): A few comments highlight the appeal of the WW2 setting and the fantasy of killing Nazis and stealing their gold. This is seen as a fun, cathartic experience.
- Not for Payday 2 veterans (weight 0.03): A review specifically advises Payday 2 old players not to buy this game, implying it is a downgrade for experienced Payday players.
- Make game free to play (weight 0.03): One suggestion is that the game should be made free to play, likely due to its low player count and lack of content.
- Recommended mods available (weight 0.03): One player recommends using mods to improve the game, listing several specific mods that enhance the experience.
- Wait for free giveaway (weight 0.03): One suggestion is to wait until the game is given away for free, indicating the player believes it has very little value.
- Ignore negative reviews (weight 0.02): A single review advises to ignore the negative reviews, implying the game is better than its reputation.

Other player notes:
- Dedicated player base (weight 0.06): Players mention receiving a review key or owning the game multiple times, and note the game is supported by a small free modding team. This indicates a community of dedicated players and supporters.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Players are frustrated by repetitive enemies, grindy weapon progression, punishing stealth mechanics, and poor AI behavior. Performance issues like crashes and FPS stutters, along with unbalanced difficulty and unfair spawns, further compound the negative experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stems from low player counts, abandoned development, limited content, and outdated graphics. The game fails to match the quality of alternatives like Payday 2, with unclear objectives, boring missions, and a lack of meaningful updates despite developer promises.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfied players note that the developers turned the game around with updates, improving gunplay, progression, and optimization. The dynamic objectives, cooperative planning, and comfortable skill system make it a worthwhile co-op shooter despite initial flaws.
- Anger (weight 0.07): Anger arises from bugs, crashes, useless bots, and overpowered enemies like the Flamethrower bulldog. Players feel betrayed by misleading marketing, a lack of content, and a rushed early-access feel that disrespects the fanbase.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the irreverent humor, fun skill combinations, and cooperative gameplay that encourages camaraderie. Positive updates improved the experience, while stealth mechanics and arcade-style shooting provide enjoyable moments.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement is driven by hilarious FMV clips, campy cutscenes, and comedy lines including John Cleese and Hitler overreactions. The absurdity of throwing gold bars at enemies and characters dissing each other adds charm.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is fueled by the game's hidden gem status, tense matches, interesting objectives, and progression dopamine rush. The orchestral soundtrack and unexpected updates make players eager to continue playing.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise stems from the game being more fun than expected, receiving update support years after launch, and becoming quite good despite initial doubts. Players are pleasantly amazed at the turnaround.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is directed at the small Mug team for reviving the game and improving it beyond Payday 3, showing dedication to preservation and quality.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by terrible enemy spawns, tedious weapon upgrade challenges, powerful flammenwerfer units, and lag on some levels, disrupting gameplay flow.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom results from repetitive missions, boring solo play, lack of introduction, chore-like lockpicking, and average combat that quickly becomes tiresome.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is evoked by the game keeping the charm of old Payday: The Heist, reminding players of its predecessor's vision and developer-intended atmosphere.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope arises from new updates suggesting developer commitment, potential for more missions and weapons, and the possibility of returning events like Halloween.
- Gratitude (weight 0.02): Gratitude is expressed for the M.U.G team's continuous updates that made the game fun and stable, with players thanking the revival effort.
- Respect (weight 0.02): Respect is earned by the developers returning after 4 years to update the game and actively interacting with the community, showing dedication.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is felt as the game is considered a slept-on classic perfect for Payday 2 fans, offering engaging gameplay.
- Optimism (weight 0.01): Optimism is based on improvements from the new studio, making the game potentially self-sustaining and better over time.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is simply derived from having fun playing with friends, emphasizing social cooperative enjoyment.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is enhanced by characters talking during missions, adding to the atmospheric experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion centers on why the game has a low player count despite its qualities, leaving players puzzled.}