Bodycam: The Next Era of FPS is Here

(Intro)

The gaming industries first real look at what could be the next major iteration of the first-person shooter genre is here. Bodycam is, as it says in the name of the game, a bodycam style shooter focusing on immersion and feeling as though you are witnessing a live feed footage of real events occurring, but still within the context of a video game. There are a lot of interesting elements at play within Bodycam, that make it feel so unique when compared to other more traditional shooters. With several modes of play, a variety of weapons at your disposal, and a strong emphasis on immersion, tactical play, and intensity, Bodycam is the gaming industries first glimpse into the potential that these sub-genres of shooters have to offer.

(The gameplay “hook”, visuals, and feel)

Bodycam released on June 7th, 2024 in early access. At its core, the entire reason to play this game revolves around the unique style of camera that accurately portrays gameplay that looks as though it came from an officer or special forces body cam. There isn’t a ton of wiggle room in regards to how the camera works and the movement of the camera, but that’s the point: it’s supposed to look like something you would see on the news, but you are in control the whole time. This point is reinforced by the fact that all of the character faces are blurred out; there are no facial details in the game unless you are using a skin or accessory that conveys facial features. This is a rather odd choice; the game feels more underground because of it. Almost as if you shouldn’t be playing it. But it kind of works in the context of this game where you are using a bodycam as your primary camera. It’s something I personally have never seen a shooter attempt before. This style is so interesting visually to look at. And because the game is using Unreal Engine 5, the visuals and graphics are seriously top notch. Granted, because of the engine if you are interested in the game, you will need an above average computer to run the game at higher graphical levels and still maintain decent framerates. It’s rather demanding, the game can chug and have frame drops from time to time. You’ll notice my framerate hovers anywhere from the low forties up to sixty frames per second. But otherwise, the game is quite the looker visually. It’s heavy; deliberate, intentional. But because of that, it can also feel clunky and out of place. If you’re used to modern shooters where movement is freeing and fluid, this is going to be quite jarring. Your base movement speed is extremely low and sprinting helps, but still doesn’t feel like you are moving that quickly. Again, in part because of how the camera works, but movement in general needs to be done cautiously. This is supposed to be more of a tactical mil-sim using a bodycam style camera, something more akin to using a VR helmet.

There is no HUD in the game. It’s just you, your weapon, and maybe the outline of your teammates if you are playing a mode that supports that. The minimalist design again helps to reinforce the idea of a bodycam, without taking away from the more normal conventions of a shooter we have grown accustomed to. Your gun is almost always at the ready; aiming forward ahead of you. Most weapons also have either a laser, flashlight or both that you can toggle on and off as you see fit. Which you will be doing a lot, because this game definitely rewards accurate and successful point firing for times when the milliseconds to aim down your weapon would get you killed. It can also be extremely dark visually, requiring your own light source at times, adding to that tension factor. And because your weapon is almost always pointing forward, this is a viable strategy for many engagements at close range. There are a solid number of weapons on offer in the game. Pistols, SMGs, shotguns, and rifles with different attachments to take advantage of. The recoil for some of them feels a little dramatic, and can sometimes be a deterrent of enjoying the moment-to-moment gunplay. But otherwise, they only seek to add to the intensity the game is going after. The audio in Bodycam is stellar; almost to a fault. When you first boot up the game, I highly recommend lowering the weapon volume down by at least half. Because at full volume the game is EXTRMELY loud. To the point you will hurt your ears from the noise. But the localization, ambient sounds, footsteps; it all culminates in an experience that will suck you in if you let it.

(Modes of play)

There are a number of ways to engage with Bodycam. You can simply hit the quick search button and the game will throw into whatever lobby or in-progress game makes the most sense. A simple, and hassle-free way to jump head first and get some rounds in if you are limited on time. Another way is to use the server browser option, which gives you more control over what kind of matches you would like to look for. From specific modes, maps, ping limits; you have a solid amount of choice in terms of where you would like to play. You have body bomb, which is the games take on search and destroy, team deathmatch a classic, deathmatch which is your free for all, and the newest mode of play that was recently added, and the primary reason for this video, the zombie's mode. We’ll get to that in a minute, because the zombies mode... wow. But the other modes are fairly standard across a handful of interesting maps that make sense in the context of a bodycam style game. You can also host your own games should you wish, either to play with your friends but to also have random players join as well. Most of the time I just hit quick match and run around to fight other players.

This is probably one of my biggest criticisms of the game in its current state; there’s not a whole lot to do. A few modes, a shooting range and not much else. Maybe this is just me, but Bodycam needs a single-player mode or a coop mode that has some kind or narrative attached to it. Or even a spec ops kind of mode where you play across a variety of levels completing objectives. They could be rescuing hostages, or going into a heavily fortified building and eliminating all the threats. Something similar to how Ready or Not handles its content. That style of gameplay with the bodycam on top of it would be incredible. There is a roadmap with some planned modes and maps on the horizon, so we’ll just have to wait and see what that new stuff entails. Another concern is the cash shop for cosmetics. They’re mainly weapon and character skins, but for a $33 early access game, for the time being I just wouldn’t buy them. Again, you can’t even see the characters faces, so it feels even less enticing to buy them. But do with your money as you see fit.

(Zombies Mode is Godlike)

Now for the main reason I purchased this game, and the impetus for the entire video. Bodycam recently for Halloween released a brand-new zombies' mode, and it’s the best way to play this game, bar none. It takes all the atmosphere elements; visual, audio, tension, stress, and packs it into a map that is very reminiscent of the second zombies map ever made for Call of Duty, Verruckt. An abandoned asylum where you need to keep the lights on by using generators scattered throughout the location, which also open up new areas. They have boxes that can be opened for new weapons and equipment and the goal is to simply survive as long as you can. What makes this mode so stressful is that if you get hit even just once by a zombie, you die. And if you are playing with others, you’ll respawn if they survive the round. The first time you experience this, it’s genuinely terrifying. The noises, the difficulty in spotting zombies because even when the lights are on it’s dark, and just knowing it’s a one hit kill makes being swarmed and being overwhelmed the worst-case scenario. Unless you survive long enough to where the zombies begin to sprint at you, because you’ll lose years on your life for that too. This mode was a fantastic addition to the game. We need more stuff like this; where the immersion is leaned into. Whether it’s solo or coop, more options that take advantage of the unusual camera and not so much on the PvP angle will genuinely do wonders for this game in the long run.

(Outro)

Bodycam is the real first time we’re seeing developers try their hand at using bodycam style cameras in first person shooters. And this game is a solid first step in that sub-genre. It’s not perfect; the lack of content, somewhat repetitive multiplayer and the cash shop being added into an early access game kind of leaves a sour taste. It definitely from an outsider's perspective looks like an interesting demo that may not be worth the price it’s asking. But with time, my hope is that there are enough improvements and additions to the game that flush it out and make it feel more like a complete package. This is an incredibly interesting game, taking advantage of a brand-new engine, using a camera perspective that is just starting to get its legs. I hope more games in the future give it a try, and I also hope if you like what you see but are unsure on how much you might play this game, to at the very least Wishlist it and wait for a sale. It's an experience any enjoyer of FPS games should try. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to watch this video. Let me know down in the comment section below your thoughts on Bodycam if you’ve played it or if you haven’t and be sure to subscribe for more videos about games trying to break the mold and trying something both bold and interesting at the same time. I hope to see you in future ones.