Girls Frontline Fire Control Review: Shots Fired but the Aim fell short

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The MICA Team and Sunborn Network Technology have just launched Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control. This new game, set in the world of Girls’ Frontline, combines fast-paced shooting action with strategic team management. It features exciting gunplay, appealing characters, and some unusual gameplay choices that definitely make you think.

Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control became available on Android devices in Southeast Asia (excluding Vietnam) on November 27, 2025. A PC version is also in development. This game is a 5v5 PvP shooter and offers a different experience than other Girls’ Frontline games. I tested it thoroughly on my Asus ROG Phone 9 to see if it runs well enough to succeed as a competitive game.

Gameplay is good, but there’s a lot to improve

Let’s talk about the shooting first – it’s pretty standard. I’ve experienced similar mechanics in mobile games. It doesn’t feel powerful when you shoot; there’s a lack of impact. Plus, the game doesn’t clearly show or sound different whether you’re hitting an enemy or just empty space. The only clear feedback is when armor breaks, but that’s the same sound as your own shield breaking, which is a bit confusing.

Compared to Girl’s Frontline 2, Fire Control has a distinctly different sound design when it comes to gunfire. However, the key difference is gameplay: Fire Control is a real-time, player-versus-player (PvP) third-person shooter, while Girl’s Frontline 2 is turn-based. Each character, or ‘doll,’ has unique classes, weapons, and abilities, so pick one that matches how you like to play.

The lack of variety in gameplay is a head-scratcher

Let’s talk about the maps and game modes. The maps vary quite a bit – some are close-quarters and indoors, while others are large and open, better for long-distance combat. There are a total of six maps available. Just so you know, the game randomly selects the map and mode for each match, so you don’t get to choose.

Once you’ve played one of these maps, you’ve essentially played them all, as they’re all very similar except for a single map called Sandstorm. I’m hoping the developers add more variety soon, because right now the game feels quite limited and basic as a player-versus-player shooter.

The game currently features three ways to play: Team Deathmatch, Escort, and Combat Simulation (which is similar to a MOBA but isn’t very strong). There are also two different map types: large, open maps for Combat Simulation, and smaller, more enclosed maps for Team Competition.

You’ll probably enjoy Deathmatch the most. It’s quick and full of action, unlike the other modes which tend to be long, repetitive, and depend on good teamwork – something that’s often hard to find in games like this.

No story and voice acting is also a bummer

Honestly, this section could have been left out completely, as it doesn’t impact the review at all. The game has absolutely no story or background lore. So, if you’re wondering about the reasons for the battles, who the enemies are, or the history of the characters, don’t bother looking – there isn’t any.

The game doesn’t acknowledge the player as a character within its world. We don’t have a voice or interact with anything; the game simply expects us to experience it as it is.

It’s strange – you can give gifts to these characters, but it doesn’t affect the story or unlock any special dialogue. Even if this were a completely different game, it wouldn’t matter. The game doesn’t connect to the world or story of other games in the series; it just features the same characters.

Visuals look very appealing, with models and environments stealing strong points

Front Line really stands out as the second 3D installment in the Girls Frontline series. The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into creating detailed and visually appealing character models, skins, and environments. For some characters, the quality is comparable to Girls Frontline 2.

The animations are fluid and well-done, with no awkward movements or missing frames. The physics look natural, which is a big plus. The close-up, third-person perspective lets you experience each fight intimately. Unfortunately, that’s the only aspect I can praise, as things quickly go downhill from there.

The shop and how much pay-2-win is there

Although the game isn’t a traditional ‘gacha’ game, it does include gacha elements for cosmetic costumes. Fortunately, these costumes don’t give players a competitive advantage. The real way to pay-to-win, however, is through purchasing characters and experience chips that directly boost character skills, stats, and overall game progress.

The cost of character skins is a real problem – they’re either too expensive or not valuable enough. Plus, getting these skins relies on luck, and the crystals needed are incredibly difficult to earn. I spent a lot of time and effort just to max out one character’s skill, and I’m still only halfway there!

It’s frustrating that players can spend real money to instantly level up their characters with special chips, giving them a significant advantage in battles. It feels unfair as a free-to-play player. To make things worse, the best rewards from events are often locked behind a paywall, requiring you to purchase a specific character with real money. This has completely removed my desire to participate in events.

UI and its function work decently, with a cluttered feel

Girls Frontline 2 had a similar problem, and it’s happening here too. Specifically, the timing of voice lines during special attacks doesn’t quite match the animations, which feels a little off. It’s not a huge issue, but it’s noticeable and impacts the overall enjoyment. Knowing this is the same developer, I’m not entirely surprised.

Some game menus are messy and hard to understand. For example, the loadout screen doesn’t show all of your equipped items, making it difficult to see everything you’re using.

The biggest problem is that the game doesn’t let you pick your preferred maps or game types when you’re looking for a match. Thankfully, the in-game store is working fine, and the main menu is simple, which is a good thing.

Final Verdict

Girls’ Frontline Fire Control shows what can happen when a company develops a fan project. It makes you question why you’re even playing it. I found myself wondering that while playing, asking if this was the same fun fan game I used to enjoy with friends.

I was really excited about this game, hoping it would become a new favorite like Valorant, but I’m disappointed. The maps and game modes just aren’t diverse enough, and the way you choose them feels outdated for a modern shooter. It didn’t live up to the hype.

Look, I really want to love this game, and honestly, it could be great. The basic gameplay is actually pretty solid and there’s a good foundation there. But the developers have made some really questionable choices that have sadly turned it into a shadow of what I remember it being. They’ve got a lot of work to do if they want to turn things around and make this the blockbuster it has the potential to be.

Girls Frontline Fire Control Review by GamingonPhone

Gameplay Mechanics – 7
Gamemodes – 5.5
Graphics and Music – 7.5
Controls and UI – 6
Free-to-Play Elements – 4

6

Average

Girls Frontline Fire Control feels like a promising fan project that lost its way after being developed by a company. It quickly becomes repetitive and makes you question why you’re even playing. You start to wonder if it’s still the enjoyable game you once played with friends, and unfortunately, it isn’t.

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2026-03-04 08:43