Upon launching Gunzilla’s free-to-play battle royale title, Off The Grid, I was immediately met with a crude remark: “regurgitated cum bubble.” This wasn’t an insult tossed my way by another player, but rather the game’s obnoxious announcer, a soldier character who set the tone for the experience that followed. From that point onward, things only grew stranger and more uncomfortable.
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As I prepared to dive into Off The Grid, my expectations were unclear. Since its early access debut in October 2024, the game has received aggressive marketing on the PlayStation Store and has recently transitioned to Steam after a period of exclusivity on the Epic Game Store. To bolster its Steam launch, various gaming websites like Polygon, IGN, and Kotaku published sponsored articles praising the game for its frequent updates and dedicated community, while also highlighting the involvement of District 9 director Neill Blomkamp in crafting the game’s universe. Intrigued by the buzz, I decided to explore what Off The Grid had to offer. Following a well-produced introductory video, I was introduced to Master Sergeant Cobra, the most grating character I’ve encountered in gaming. After his charming “cum bubble” quip, he provided an overview of the game’s concept, which revolves around surviving in a third-person battle royale environment while scavenging valuable loot that can be extracted mid-game for later profit.
Understanding Off The Grid
Shortly after, I was thrown into my first match, and unfortunately, Cobra’s relentless taunts continued. His phrases ranged from “Come on, you chickenshit pussies!” to “Your safe zone is collapsing,” and these insults repeated incessantly throughout my gameplay. It was an experience far from enjoyable. The core mechanics of Off The Grid are quite standard for the genre: players parachute onto a map, scavenge for weapons and gear, engage in combat, and aim to be the last team standing. In my initial game, I encountered numerous players who appeared to be bots, a concern shared by others in the online community. Many players expressed apprehension that the game might face an early shutdown due to prolonged matchmaking times and frequent encounters with AI opponents. When I finally came across a player who seemed real, they sported a skin resembling Donald Trump, which, along with other notable figures like Kamala Harris, is available for purchase. After several matches, it became apparent that a significant portion of the player base favored the Trump skin, leaving me to ponder the implications of this trend. Ultimately, my time with Off The Grid revealed it to be a mediocre third-person battle royale filled with a few interesting concepts overshadowed by an abundance of frustration. While the shooting mechanics felt responsive, the character movement was cumbersome, leading to a lack of control. The ability to swap limbs with unique power-ups found during gameplay was a cool feature, yet much of my time was spent searching for opponents and waiting for matches to begin.
NFTs and Blockchain Elements in Off The Grid
In the sponsored articles promoting Off The Grid, there was a notable omission: the game’s integration of NFT and blockchain elements. The extraction and sale of loot during matches refer to NFTs. For instance, I acquired a rare arm and sold it for 60 GUN, the game’s cryptocurrency, to another player. Each item is assigned a unique code, and there appears to be a limited supply. Upon completing my transaction, I checked my transaction history, which was categorized under my “GUNZ Wallet.” However, as a player on Xbox Series X/S, I found myself unable to access my GUNZ Wallet or the GUN tokens it contained, likely due to restrictions from Xbox, PlayStation, and Valve that prevent Gunzilla from integrating blockchain features on these platforms. This raises questions about the usability of the GUN tokens I earned and whether items purchased on Xbox will carry over to future Gunzilla games. Despite owning Game Informer, Gunzilla has attempted to minimize discussions about NFTs and blockchain, recognizing the widespread aversion many players have toward these concepts. In an FAQ on Off The Grid’s official site, the developers clarify that while the game includes an optional NFT aspect, it can be enjoyed without engaging with these elements.
Is Off The Grid Worth Playing?
This statement holds some truth, as players can participate in the game without interacting with the NFT marketplace. However, the incorporation of NFTs seems to be integral to the game’s design, suggesting that disregarding this aspect could diminish the overall experience. The pressing question remains: Is Off The Grid worth your time? Excluding the NFT component, the game fails to stand out. I struggled to locate genuine players both before and during matches. While combat mechanics are satisfactory, if I’m seeking a battle royale experience, I’d prefer to play Fortnite. The game’s overall atmosphere leaves much to be desired, as the constant barrage of insults from the announcer quickly becomes tiresome, and the humor feels juvenile and forced. Therefore, if your interest lies in grinding for blockchain rewards in a subpar shooter, Off The Grid may appeal to you. Otherwise, it might be wiser to select another battle royale title from the extensive options available, where you won’t have to contend with players dressed as Donald Trump.
