At first glance, Waifu Tactical Force might seem like a joke, thanks to its name and aesthetic, but after playing it at Gamescom, I was pleasantly surprised to find there is a really polished and engaging shooter to enjoy.
Putting the Waifu thing to one side – the weapons feel great, the animations are crisp, and the map I tried had a bright, stylish look that gave off Valorant vibes.
The developers explained that their biggest inspiration for movement came from Apex Legends and Titanfall, and it shows. Sliding, double jumps, and more movement options with certain abilities keep matches fast and vertical.
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They are still debating whether to add wall-running or wall-jumping, and early access players are just as split on the idea. Whatever direction they choose, the core movement already feels tight and responsive.
Team WaifuThe movement is very Apex Legends and Titanfall-inspired.
The demo focused on small-scale, round-based matches with options for 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3. I could only play on a controller for the demo too, which wouldn’t be my preference, and the game is clearly intended for keyboard and mouse. The developers mentioned aim assist is something they are looking at for the future, and it will be necessary if controller players are to keep pace.
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Between rounds, you can spend points on upgrades, from small bonuses to faster stamina regeneration, and possibly overpowered double damage (trading off slower reloads and half the magazine size). There will be some balancing still required here, but no matter what upgrades you choose, winning definitely depends on raw gun skill – this is no hero shooter.
Weapons are grounded and familiar, with a few twists. There is a smart pistol secondary, very obviously inspired by Titanfall 2, while the red dot sight on one rifle had a heart-shaped reticle that added a playful touch. It is part of the balance the developers are aiming for, mixing the silly waifu aesthetic with a serious tactical shooter.
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Internally, they joke about calling it a “modern military shooter for people with brainrot” or simply “Wives of Duty.”
Why Waifus?
So, let’s address the elephant in the room. The demo featured three waifus, with more planned, and they are not hero characters with unique powers. Instead, abilities are tied to your loadout and chosen before matches, which keeps the focus firmly on gunplay.
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So why exactly are they waifus? Just because, really. The developers, Team Waifu, wanted to stand out, and that is reason enough. Especially with all the samey shooters out there to choose from.
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But before long, they realized they had a very talented team making a really good game – it wasn’t a joke. Oh, and they are all big anime fans, obviously.
Team WaifuDuring gameplay, I forgot I was running around as a Waifu.
Producer Bernardo Paz explained that there is also a story, and players will be rewarded for engaging with the narrative and building up their own army of waifus. It is still in progress, but it should add a layer of progression alongside the competitive matches.
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Waifu Tactical Force is planned for release in 2026, but players can already request to join the playtest on Steam.
Based on my session, you shouldn’t write it off as just a silly idea for a shooter. Beneath the anime exterior is a well-crafted shooter that’s smooth, fast, and skill-based. And it definitely has the kind of unique hook that could go viral on Twitch if the right streamers pick it up.
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But the challenge for Waifu Tactical Force will be convincing a wider audience that it deserves to be taken seriously. For now, it is one of the most surprising and genuinely fun games I’ve tried at Gamescom.
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