As far as tactical shooters go,Squadis undoubtedly among the most refined and well-made of them all. Having been in early access since 2015 and fully released in 2020,Squadhas developed aroster of excellent maps, most of which feel remarkably unique while still being well-balanced and enjoyable to play.
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Featuring numerous environments ranging from thick forests to large desert cities, the various maps inSquadcater to various playstyles. Considering the breadth of gameplay options available to players, and the different versions of each map in the game, matches rarely feel repetitive.Squad’smaps are surely a masterclass in design, and they perfectly suit the game’s focus on large-scale tactical FPS warfare.
10Goose Bay
Goose Bay is one of the larger maps inSquad, and as such is often a challenge for infantry squads, whileexcellent for vehicles. It’s also one of the more environmentally unique maps, with the ground covered in snow for an impressive winter aesthetic. For infantry, squad leaders must be sure that they effectively utilize transport vehicles, and helicopters are especially helpful as a mode of fast transportation that can rapidly relocate an infantry squad to where they’re needed.
Though Goose Bay can be frustrating at times if a team isn’t coordinated enough, the map shines when good vehicle squads are effectively helping their infantry capture objectives. Amphibious assaults are also a good option for flanks, as water routes are available along the western side of the map.
9Talil Outskirts
Talil Outskirts is another map where good vehicle squads are essential to victory. In this case, the map is a wide-open desert, so it’s one of the best maps fortank battles especially. Infantry combat will be limited primarily to sparse collections of buildings.
Playing as infantry on this map is tough, but still very satisfying if done right, as fierce fighting usually takes place around the hangars on the map. Talil Outskirts is also likely to be a test of a player’s marksmanship, as infantry often must face off against enemies in long-range engagements.
8Chora
Relative to mostSquadmaps, Chora is a very small and focused area. Vehicle gameplay is largely limited to light jeeps and some logistic vehicles, so for the most part the map revolves around infantry fighting in fields and also large compounds.
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These compounds encourage defenders to set up substantial defenses, meaning that Chora often features intense sieges of major fortifications, with chaotic but enjoyable fighting typically marked by heavy use of smoke and explosives. Mortars are also especially helpful on Chora, so be sure to make good use of them if necessary.
7Fallujah
Fallujah is very different from most maps inSquad, with an extremely dense urban environment and many buildings to fight through. Fallujah caters to a much more aggressive style of play, which is great fun as a change of pace from typical gameplay. Clearing buildings of enemies is hard, but the challenge of doing so is definitely a uniquely enjoyable experience.
The Mosque objective near the center of the map is also usually a hotspot for fighting and exemplifies the sort of brutal infantry combat that takes place in Fallujah.
6Narva
Though almost all of Narva is a city, the map is actually a good compromise between an urban and more open environment. Narva features a number of taller apartment buildings, but they’re spread well apart, and the streets are fairly wide.
This means that though Narva is predominantly an urban map it’s not too crowded, and facilitates tactical gameplay and flanking maneuvers well without being overly chaotic. It’s important to remember that though it’s easy to get bogged down in the center of the map, the north and south are good options for wide flanks.
5Mutaha
Mutaha is on the smaller scale of map sizes, and focuses more oninfantry combat in urban areas, though supporting vehicles are still important. Mutaha is great for players that want more constrained combat revolving primarily around infantry fighting around buildings, while not being excessively narrow or convoluted.
Mutaha is also separated by a highway running down the center of the map, meaning players must be careful to choose when they cross. Objectives like Police Station and School are also often hotspots for intense tug-of-war infantry battles, while still being open enough that smart players can outmaneuver their enemies.
4Gorodok
Gorodok is a map that exemplifiesSquad’scombined arms warfare and is great for both infantry and vehicle players. Gorodok is divided by a river running through the middle of the map, which can be crossed at most points, but is also particularly exposed, meaning that care is needed when trying to move across.
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Gorodok is large enough that flanks are easily achievable with some effort invested, and vehicles are important. However, there are a number of objectives like the Hilltop Bunker that encourage closer infantry combat while still requiring cooperation to achieve victory.
3Al Basrah
Al Basrah is a true test of a squad leader’s ability to use vehicles effectively, especially in the Invasion game mode. The northern side of the map is mostly wide open, empty desert, whereas the southern is a large urban city with densely packed buildings and intense close-quarters fighting.
If the attacking team is to successfully capture their objectives, running on foot is not an option. Infantry squads must coordinate with friendly armor and also use logistics vehicles to build new spawn points and transport themselves across the map. Though Al Basrahis certainly challenging, it’s rewarding for the attackers should they succeed, while also great fun for the defending Insurgents team as they attempt to hold off a superior force.
2Black Coast
Released with V3.0 along with the USMC faction, Black Coast is available on multiple game modes but is probably best on Invasion. On invasion, the attackers start on an aircraft carrier off the coast of the map and must land in force in order to establish footholds and capture the objectives.
The initial roll-out at the start of the match is anepic cinematic experience, as the attackers attempt an amphibious landing, they will face heavy resistance from the defenders, making for an intense battle along the coast. Black Coast is also a remarkably diverse map, featuring various terrain that helps keep things fresh.
1Yehorivka
Yehorivka is a map perfect forclassic tactical gameplay, with more open terrain pocketed with relatively scattered clusters of buildings that make up the objectives. The map is also perfectly sized, large enough to encourage flanks and use of vehicles while still being concentrated enough with objectives to allow infantry to effectively mount offensives and engage in combat.
Though most of the action will take place around the middle and eastern sides of the map, it’s worth taking some extra time to head further south or along the western side, which often allows squads to get into great positions to support teammates or initiate flanks.
