[Top 10] Insurgency: Sandstorm Best Maps (Ranked)

Updated:

31 May 2023

Maps are the key to a game’s success. If a map is bland, the players will also get quickly bored of the game, but if a map is unique and well made, then the players will enjoy playing on that map over and over again. This is the case with every single game on this planet.

The developers also try their best to make sure that every map in the game is unique and isn’t a copycat of the previous map. Most maps have the same theme of the desert, but some maps are unique enough to feature snow or maybe even a lush green forest. With that, let’s get on with the list!

10. Precinct

The map is a whole city.

This map takes urban fighting to the next level, as you’re fighting in a ruined city. The map has great details on the exteriors and interiors. There are a lot of spots for a sniper or a machine gunner to be placed, as well as a ton of alleyways to run around and flank the enemy team.

It is a highly dense environment where you’ll constantly be on your toes and looking out for the enemy. Thankfully, there is a lot of cover from destroyed buses and cars, but you can also take cover behind some sandbags.

Why Precinct Is Great:

It’s a full urban setting, and the community calls it a concrete jungle.
Has a ton of places for your sniper or machine gunner to set up.
You can easily flank the enemy team through the alleyways.
The map is packed with details on the exterior and interiors.

9. Tell

This is close-quarters hell.

While playing on this map, you’ll have to constantly be on your feet and have great reactions because if you don’t, you’ll end up dead. Some firefights will be at medium distances, while the majority of them will be at close range.

You should carry some grenades and smokes, as they will come in handy while playing on this map. Also, make sure to bring an SMG or a shotgun, as they dominate here.

Why Tell Is Great:

Close combat oriented.
SMGs and shotguns dominate on this map.
The map has tight corridors and narrow pathways, and you’ll always need to be on your toes because an enemy might pop up out of nowhere.

8. Refinery

This whole map is a giant oil industry.

This map has both close-range and large open areas that you can’t just run through. Because if you do, you’ll be shot down quickly. You can also drive a technical truck on this map, but if you do, make sure that there are no mines around.

There are a lot of covers to shield you from the bullets, but if you want to flank the enemy team, make sure that you go the long way around, as it will pay off in the end. The map also has a very unique look, as you’re fighting in an actual refinery and everything looks industrialized.

Why Refinery Is Great:

Has a unique visual style that any other maps in this game don’t have.
It has a mix of open and closed combat areas.
It’s not recommended to just run around the map.
Great spots for the marksman class.
You can drive a technical truck on this map.

7. Gap

There is a lot of verticality on this map.

This map looks the same as every other desert, but this one offers some verticality during gameplay. There is also a huge building at the back of the map that’s nicely decorated and looks very modern, but below the building is the ghetto, where most of the fighting takes place.

The map is close-quarters oriented, with some medium to long-distance firefights here and there. Most of the time, you’ll be moving from building to building to kill enemies or to die. You can also set up ambushes on this map easily, especially with an IED or C4.

Why Gap Is Great:

The map adds verticality to the game.
The map is great for setting up ambushes and placing IEDs or C4s to kill enemies.
You’ll be moving from building to building while playing which can be damn intense.
You can also shoot through most of the buildings on this map as the walls aren’t that thick.

6. Hillside

The first checkpoint is hell to capture on push.

This is Hillside, or as many OG players know it, “Sinjar,” from the original Insurgency. That was a great map, and this one is as well. But if you’re playing the push game mode, it can be quite hard to climb up the hill and take the first objective.

It’s quite a chokepoint, especially if the Insurgent forces know what they are doing. But after you get up on the hill, the map is quite fun. It’s also covered in snow, which makes it visually different from other maps. The map is quite open and has some great spots for any marksman or machine gunner enjoyers.

Why Hillside Is Great:

It’s a remake of the original map from Insurgency called “Sinjar.”
The map requires teamwork, which can lead to some badass moments during gameplay.
The map is covered in snow, which makes it visually different from other maps.

5. Farmhouse

There are a lot of different pathways to take to flank the enemy.

This is more of a small village than a farmhouse, but goddamn, this is a good map. There are some trees and greenery spread around the map, so it changes the visual style. Along with that, the map also adds a few flanking routes and pathways.

You can take these pathways to kill the enemy team; just be aware that the enemy might also be doing that. The map has some open areas, but most of the time it’s more of a medium-range map.

Why Farmhouse Is Great:

The map has some greenery added to it, which makes it quite pleasing to the eye.
The map is mostly medium-range combat, which makes every single class viable.
It has several pathways that allow you to flank the enemy.

4. Crossing

This map is unique as it’s divided by a river.

This map is divided by a huge river in the middle. On one side are the Insurgents, and on the other are the Security Forces. This map is best played in the firefight game mode, and most people will always vote for this map.

Visually, it’s not so different from other maps as it’s just deserted with buildings having the same look, but you will remember this map because of a building on top of a hill that needs to be captured. Taking that building can be hell, especially in the firefight game mode.

Why Crossing Is Great:

The map is divided by a river.
This map is at its best when playing in the firefight game mode.
It has large open areas, so take your time while playing.
Marksman class dominates on this map.

3. Power Plant

This map looks the most visually pleasing.

I know I said this a lot, but this map has a unique visual style as it’s overgrown and has a forest. The desert theme is completely gone from this map, and there is no sign of sand anywhere. The map is medium-to-close combat-oriented, so almost any class can be good on this map.

If you do want to play as a marksman, though, make sure that you take a battle rifle with you, as you’ll have more success. There are open areas, but they aren’t that large, and it features a lot of other pathways that you can take to sneak around.

Why Power Plant Is Great:

There is no sand or desert theme anywhere on the map.
There are some open areas, but they aren’t large.
It’s suited for any class.

2. Last Light

SMG-oriented map.

The newest map that was added to the rooster, and boy does it go hard. It’s close combat-oriented, so people who love to run around and use SMGs only are going to be in for a treat.

The map also looks pretty with the sunset in the background. When it comes to the gameplay the map has a lot of different pathways and alleyways to an objective. Equipment like smoke grenades and flashes can be really useful when trying to clear a room or a whole house. But the best part about the map has to be the large hotel in the middle of the map.

Why Last Light Is Great:

It has a very pretty aesthetic.
It’s close combat-oriented, so SMG players will love this map.
There are a lot of interiors to take cover or to run and flank the enemy.

1. Citadel

There is a bit of snow.

This is a snow map, but there isn't a lot of snow on it. There is just a tiny amount on it that you won’t even notice. The level design is interesting on the map as there is verticality and there is a tunnel that a lot of people just charge at for some reason.

There is a huge citadel in the middle of the map, where most of the fights take place. When it comes to the size of the map, it’s pretty damn large, but weirdly enough, you can’t use a technical vehicle.

Why Citadel Is Great:

Has an interesting and unique design.
Most of the fights take place in the huge citadel in the middle of the map.
If you want to spam explosives, just go to the tunnel and throw them in. You are bound to get yourself an easy kill or two.