Thunder Tier One: A Tactical Dive into the 90s with the Makers of PUBG

For as long as I can remember, first-person shooter games have been a popular source of entertainment. Titles like Counter-Strike, PUBG, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Battlefield immediately spring to mind. However, there’s another intriguing and captivating genre worth mentioning: top-down shooters. Notable titles in this category, such as Nuclear Throne and Animal Royale, continue to maintain a solid player base, with many still relishing their gaming experience. Personally, this genre never captivated me much, largely due to the unconventional shooting mechanics that don’t seem “standard” to me.

Recently, I decided to explore a new offering from Krafton, the team behind PUBG. What can we expect from Thunder Tier One? Is it a groundbreaking experience or just another game destined to be forgotten? Let’s delve into it. I played the game on a PC featuring a Ryzen 3600 processor, Nvidia GeForce 1660 Super graphics card, and 16GB of RAM.

Thunder Tier One is a tactical, top-down co-op shooter set in the 1990s, where players join an elite squad tasked with thwarting a terrorist group from infiltrating the fictional nation of Salobia. The narrative revolves around a four-member army unit that can be controlled by AI or human players. The game features a single-player co-op campaign along with a multiplayer mode that allows you to create lobbies for you and your friends.

The campaign deviates from the typical format of games with extensive narratives and dialogue. Instead, it comprises a series of nine missions, each presenting unique locations and enemy arrangements. Although the ultimate objectives remain similar — rescuing a hostage, apprehending an enemy, or gathering intelligence — each mission provides a fresh experience.

Thunder Tier One equips you with an array of gadgets and throwable items for strategic gameplay.

The top-down view can initially be challenging, particularly for those transitioning from first-person or third-person shooters like myself. Fortunately, the developers have incorporated a concise yet helpful tutorial that guides players through all essential controls for operating a Thunder Tier One soldier. The perspective significantly influences gameplay, and it took me some time to adjust to my character’s movements.

Team communication is vital in Thunder Tier One. Relying on AI can be unpredictable. While the game attempts to provide navigation prompts and pings, the AI’s performance can be subpar. I’ve found myself at extraction points while my AI teammates lingered in the mission area. In one instance, I designated an AI to provide cover while I cleared the front, but it got stuck on an obstacle, leading to my demise at the hands of enemy AI. Thankfully, glitches like these are infrequent and don’t occur in every session. The game truly shines when played with friends, allowing for strategic planning and coordinated attacks. For those seeking a challenge, interesting difficulty modes like Lone Wolf, which pits you against the game solo, add an extra layer of excitement.

With a top-down perspective, maintaining a broad view can be tricky. As you progress through the mission, enemies can appear unexpectedly. I often found myself ambushed for not taking cover. When enemies are hidden, they generate sound waves when moving, making it possible to detect their presence through visual cues on the screen. A quick look can draw them out from their cover, giving your teammates an opportunity to retaliate.

Before engaging in the mission, the game offers a concise briefing.

Prior to embarking on each mission in Thunder Tier One, you and your team are provided with a briefing detailing the mission objectives and location. After reviewing this information, you can customize your loadouts according to your assigned tasks. You can also designate roles to your teammates, such as a medic or a tech specialist, which enhances team effectiveness. The ability to create loadout presets is another commendable feature.

There’s an extensive variety of weapons available in the game, including the UMP45, AS VAL, CAR-15, AKS-74U, and many more. However, I personally felt that the choice of weapon did not significantly impact mission outcomes, as it typically takes only a few bullets to eliminate an enemy. Consequently, switching weapons often failed to alter my gameplay experience. This might just be a matter of personal preference.

Unlike PUBG, Thunder Tier One is not a first-person shooter, which necessitates more strategic thinking before jumping headfirst into action. Information, patience, and a bit of cunning are crucial for success in this game. Regardless of the firearms at your disposal, intelligence remains paramount.

The game offers extensive customization options.

You can explore a variety of gadgets in your inventory, including the M18 Claymore, a motion-activated landmine, M112 Demo Charge, ideal for breaching doors, and Fiber Optics Camera, useful for scouting enemy territories before breaching. This preparation ensures you’re less likely to be caught off guard.

Additionally, there’s an Electronic Toolkit and Lockpick, which can prove invaluable at critical moments. These gadgets contribute to Thunder Tier One’s emphasis on strategic gameplay. Standard explosives such as hand grenades and smoke grenades are also available, adding to tactical options.

Combat in Thunder Tier One is a solid experience. As there’s no melee combat, stealth becomes less effective. Expect to hear bullets flying constantly. The sound design for footsteps and ambient rain in forest settings is remarkable, not to mention the deep, resonant audio of gunfire, which enhances the overall experience.

Thunder Tier One employs mechanics similar to those found in PUBG. If you or a teammate takes excessive damage, you’re not killed but instead “knocked down.” While in this state, players can still engage enemies, allowing a teammate to come to their rescue and get them back on their feet without losing personnel. Even if all teammates succumb, which is rare, you can still complete the mission as long as the objectives are satisfied. However, the game can become quite intense, especially when faced with numerous enemies and when plans fail.

Thunder Tier One is a fantastic game for those who appreciate the strategic elements of shooting games. The graphics and mechanics are impressive for a top-down shooter, and there’s ample enjoyment to be found in its combat. The game embraces a retro aesthetic, from its splash screen to its user interface, which I personally found appealing.

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Thunder Tier One provides an overhead view before each mission.

The lobby may seem daunting to newcomers, but once you acclimate, you’ll enjoy fiddling with various options. Although AI teammates may not be particularly sharp, they do not detract from the overall campaign experience. The missions in Thunder Tier One might appear somewhat repetitive since the typical tasks include entering an area, eliminating foes, gathering intelligence, and exfiltrating. However, the execution of these tasks is what keeps players engaged.

All in all, Thunder Tier One is an entertaining game to enjoy with friends without the risk of rage quitting, accompanied by plenty of opportunities for planning and strategizing your next move.

Pros:

• Impressive graphics and sound design
• Smooth gameplay and combat mechanics
• Multiple modes for solo players
• A great introduction to the world of top-down shooters

Cons:

• AI teammates lack intelligence
• Occasional glitches and bugs may impact gameplay
• Many campaign tasks feel similar

Rating (out of 10): 8

Thunder Tier One can be purchased on Steam for Rs. 529.