Gun Club 3: Virtual Weapon Sim - taking out paper targets, Zombies and more from your Windows Phone

Gun Club 3: Virtual Weapon Sim is a feature rich shooting range game for your Windows Phone. It not only has a weapon simulator for dozens of weapons but you also have a firearms range experience that has you battling Zombies, tossed in the middle of a World War II battle and trying your hand at long distance shooting with sniper rifles.

Gun Club 3 has rather nice graphics, the weapons handle with a good amount of realism and the range courses are challenging. Navigation can be a little overwhelming with the many options available but if you like shooting galleries, Gun Club 3 is a Windows Phone app worth trying.

Gun Club 3 layout

When you launch Gun Club 3, you are presented a menu screen with options to view your gaming statistics, review your player profile, access the gaming options and jump to the gaming menu.

The game's statistics will break down your use of each weapon. If my count is correct, there are thirty-four different firearms that you can use with Gun Club 3 that include handguns, assault rifles, shotguns and sniper rifles. Gaming options cover your control layout, audio and sound effects. Your player profile will display your achievements and level ranking.

As you first start the game, Gun Club 3 will walk you through a series of tutorials on game play. Everything from basic weapons operation to the various courses of fire you can run through.

Gun Club 3 has two main gaming menus that you will be operating from. The first is an armory menu where you can choose which weapon you would like to use, upgrade your weapons, buy new weapons and run the weapons simulator (more on this in a second).

The weapons simulator is a neat feature that lets you manipulate and fire the various weapons you own. The simulator covers everything from moving the slide back and loading the weapon to recharging its magazine and firing the weapon. If you have any accessories for the weapon, the simulator covers those as well. The only downside to the simulator is that you can only tinker with the weapons in your arsenal. It would be nice if the full armory was available in the simulator but this gives you something to work towards.

Then next menu will be where you choose which course you want to shoot. The three courses with Gun Club 3 include:

  • Alley: A more traditional target range where you face off against paper targets.
  • Warehouse: This is more of a Hogan's Alley set-up where you will have multiple targets popping up from behind crates, out from shadow and from catwalks.
  • Allied: This is an interesting firearms course that places you in a World War II setting and using World War II weapons. These courses are restricted to time specific weapons so you cannot drop in a modern assault rifle into the mix.

Each course has a number of events that are progressively unlocked and progressively more difficult. It appears that there are about 100 different events, each re-playable, for the Warehouse and Allied courses.

While the Alley course is basically target shooting, the Warehouse and Allied courses have a few options to choose from that include:

  • Pistol Courses: You shoot from a stationary position at a series of targets that pop-up.
  • Action courses: These courses have you moving about, taking out targets as they appear.
  • Daily courses/challenges with loaned weapons
  • Marksman courses (rifle courses)
  • Zombie attack: You have to shoot the Zombie targets before they eat your brain.
  • Competition (against computer players)

Throughout the menus, across the top of the screen, you will see your current level, ammo count and cash/gold coin count. Each course will require a unit of ammo and the ammo units will replenish automatically, one unit every eight minutes.

Cash and coins are earned during game play and is used to buy new weapons, upgrade weapons or buy ammo. If you want to get a jump on things, In-App Purchases are available to buy cash, coins or ammo units ($2.99 to $99.99). Just tap the cash/gold coin display to pull-up the IAP options.

Game Play: Lock and Load

Your gaming screen is fairly consistent throughout Gun Club 3, only varying when the weapon type dictates. Prior to the start of each course, you will have to tap the screen to begin the game.

Across the top of the game screen you will find your score, a timer and your current ammo count. You have a series of on-screen weapons controls that include a fire button that sits behind the weapon, a reload button that sits adjacent to the weapon and a sight picture button that sits on the opposite side of the screen to the weapon. The sight picture button will pull the weapon up to the screen as if you were aiming down the barrel of the firearm.

Targeting is done by touch. Tap and slide a finger across the screen and your point of view and weapons movement will correspond accordingly. Weapons will automatically reload but if you anticipate and reload manually, it will save you a few seconds. Seconds that could cost you the game.

Marksman courses are a little different in that you are shooting a rifle through an optics scope. Targeting movement is done using your Windows Phone tilt sensors. You can disable this feature and go to a touch method like the one you use with other weapons but the tilt movement adds to the challenge and, to a degree, the realism of the game.

Courses do have goals such as a set number of targets or time limits. Each successful run of a course will earn you experience points and cash.

Overall Impression

I was very skeptical of Gun Club 3 when we received the suggestion to review the game. I was concerned that Gun Club 3 was like other weapons simulators that relied on graphics and (poor) sound effects to simulate the weapons. It was nice to see that Gun Club 3 went beyond the basic simulator and presented an entertaining Windows Phone game.

The weapons action is rather accurate in both mechanics and reaction when shot, sound effects work (although not as loud as the real thing) and the courses of fire challenging enough to keep you interested.

I don't mind the IAP options or that you have to use an ammo credit to shoot a course. You start the game with plenty of ammo credits to keep you busy for a while and if you pace your game play, the only reason for the IAP's is if you get impatient and want to buy a certain weapon sooner than later.

Shooting may not be everyone's cup of tea but if you are looking for a feature rich, entertaining firearms simulator Gun Club 3 should be on your short list. Gun Club 3 is not available for low-memory devices and while there isn't a Windows 8 version, I could see this game working out really well when played from a tablet.

  • Gun Club 3: Virtual Weapon Sim - Windows Phone 8 - Free - Store Link 512 MB devices not supported

George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.

63 Comments
  • Looks like a good one...will try it
  • You'll shoot your eye out, kid.
  • Thanxx for the tip Oldman
  • LOL
  • Downloading....
  • No 512 MB RAM support.
  • Got Gun Club 2? That has, & according to a review for GC 3 is better...
  • Perhaps these reviews should start with the fact that there is no low ram support, and go from there..?
  • That would be helpfull
  • Buy a phone with 1GB RAM that will be really helpful for you people.
  • Yeah, I've moaned about that too, but obviously there not doing it. I think game that WORK with 512 ram should be headed that they do. Which to be fair sometimes they, WPC, do. Games that need 1GB ram should be headed that, which as you've said, WPC don't do.
  • Can you explain that shit ...... I didn't understood
  • He's saying that they(WPC)should mention(headed)that which games are supported by 512MB RAM!! Or if they ain't supported..They should mention that as well!!
  • How about You just flick your thumb and scroll to the bottom of every game review and find the information you're looking for. Or is that so much harder than writing a complaint in the comment section?
  • Complaints are okay as long as they're stated politely. We can't act on every suggestion, though.
  • I'm not being impolite to WPC I'm being impolite to the trolls who think they can get away with writing whatever they like. If you read what I wrote you'll find that I've defended WPC & praised WPC when you have included articles or comments about 512 mb ram devices. What I'm not putting up with is trolls taking the piss. That Okay?
  • No, it's not. You're not a moderator, and, ironically, you're violating this site's rules on comments with the name calling, etc. You even lashed out against one of this site's writers.
  • This app has moderators? I've never seen them, I sick of people taking the fucking piss & getting away with it. I've had enough. Writing 'buy a better phone' is trolling & I don't care about your opinion. Take or leave.
  • " I don't care about your opinion"
    You really should as I have no problem IP banning you and wiping your account. Play nice or leave, you're wearing out your welcome here real fast. I've already told you it's not your place to admonish people in comments, especially not with your tone and language. Consider this your last warning. Thank you.
  • You don't do anything about trolls you let people take the fucking piss cause their in India. If I defend myself you want to ban me? I've been trolled on this app so many times & you've all done nothing about it. I'm fighting back!! Ban me I don't give a fuck you baby
  • I'm asking the readers on Twitter if you should be banned or not and letting them vote on it. Your fate is in their hands, not mine anymore. Update: After 102 votes by your internet peers, 73% have voted for your banning. Because you're British and lost the war of Independence, I shall commute your sentence to a 7 day ban.
  • I love you, Daniel. Posted via the WPC App for Android!
  • Bahaha
  • Red card.
  • We mention low RAM support or lack thereof whenever we remember to test it. Fact is we don't use low RAM phones as our primary devices, so it's never going to be the main concern for us. Not that we don't care, but playing a game and writing about it are pretty time consuming so sometimes we might forget to check low-RAM support.
  • Yeah you do & I've praised WPC when you've done that. But rather than leaving it till the conclusion can you not included it in the opening? Seems sensible journalism to me...
  • Well, maybe two writers instead of one should handle games reviews, one reviewing a specific game for high RAM phones, and one reviewing it for low RAM phones (there will be many occasions when this is not applicable due to lack of 512 mb RAM). After all more than 70% of WP8 and 8.1 users are sporting low RAM phones, so a big chunk of your reader base are using such phones.
    Anyway, thanks for your efforts, indeed games reviews are time consuming.
  • Its like 512mb Ram phones don't exist!
  • If you search on the WPC app you will find some good games that work. Search, 'Game 512 ram' then you'll get a list.
  • Feedback to Nokia updated and renamed , became "rate us" !
  • 512mb ram support please
  • To be fair to WPC they do tell 512 ram owners when games are available for us, just search using the app.
  • Fully endorsed by the NRA?
  • @George: How about adding a badge like '512 MB supported' something like that, on the top or bottom of every WPCentral, so readers can have a quick judgement of how the apps/games will suit for their phone? It will come in handy for many, and even the WPCentral team will like it for sure!! :D
  • WPC do actually tell 512 ram owner ie, Temple of Doom 2 & have posted articles about other 512mb games as they become available. But a badge would be nice lol. 512 ram phones will die out in Europe I should think & only be available in what's termed 'emerging markets' over the next couple of years.
  • 512MB people just sideload this
  • Doesn't support my 128MB ram device.
    LOL
  • haha I'm glad someone else saw the humour in everyone whining about 512MB support
  • They do sound like a broken record sometimes.
  • 512mb Is history now
  • Is that a real gun behind the virtual ones @George??
  • yes.
  • I was just joking sir..Hope you are also joking!!
  • It's virtually real in a really virtual way.
  • oh no... it is a real pistol. In my other life I'm on the downhill side of a law enforcement career. Hopefully I can hang up my gun and badge in about five years.
  • Ohhk..Hope we make friends not enemies!!
  • Dear developers, 100 dollar IAP means automatic blacklisting. Stop taking the Mickey.
  • Does anyone else have a problem with the daily mission? I can only do the first event, but the second never gets unlocked.
  • Yes me too. Been looking for a way to contact the developers but i cant find any contact info. Didnt search too hard though.
  • They have a facebook page, but doesn't look like they've posted anything since June 15th, and they don't seem to reply to replies on their own posts.  https://www.facebook.com/TheBinaryMill They also have a website at http://www.thebinarymill.com/ Okay, I've just run across another facebook page for them based on these games... https://www.facebook.com/GunClubArmory/ This one seems to get more posts on it than the other (last post on this one was 7 days ago).  The link to the forum from their official site was messed up.  I found the actual location for it.
  • Nice one! I just,posted on their support,page.
  • I've just posted to the Gun Club Armory facebook page.  Guess now I'll sit back and see if anyone replies to it. :)
  • I'm guessing that they don't want any of their fans posting to that page unless they're posting positive feedback on whatever silly freebie promotion they're running at the time.  It looks like they've deleted my post, already.   Oh well.
  • Nevermind.  Found the post on the far left side of the page below Photos.
  • I haven't been able to unlock it, either.  Having trouble getting the Alley to work correctly, too.  Most of the buttons on the left side crash out the game on my Nokia Lumia 820.
  • I just ran across and downloaded this thing this morning on my Nokia Lumia 820 and I've got a question.   What the hell gun-controlled third world country is it that charges you $15,000 for a Glock 17 or Beretta M9?!   Saw the $15,500 new player account and thought, "ALRIGHT! ZOMBIE ARSENAL TIME!!  GIMME THAT, AND THAT, AND THAT... and top it all off with a SHINY, NEW BARRETT .50 CAL!  WOO-HOO!!"   Hey, can I set up my player account with the option of being a Gun Club gun-runner?  I'd LOVE to get in on THAT racket. :)   On the concerned player side of things, the Sound Effects seem rather staticky on my phone's speaker.  Dunno if it's that way for everyone else or not.
  • Alley Range
    "Set the paper target's distance with these arrows." (Up and Down arrows with +/- on them)
    "Tap here to get the target up close for inspection" (Silouette with down arrow button) Tapping any of those three buttons crashes me out of the game while using either of the sidearms in my current collection: M1911 and G17. Tapping the 'aim down the barrel' button below them works correctly, though.   Nokia Lumia 820
  • That seems to be a problem with every gun in my arsenal, not just the first two that the game gave me. The Set the paper target's distance with these arrows and Tap here to get the target up close for inspection buttons just crash out the Nokia Lumia 820 anytime they are touched.
  • Would be nice if you could combine the Coins that you have saved up to use with the Money you have for those times when the NPC offers you a half-priced gun, but you're just shy of the total amount. Also, allowing the half-price offer up for the next hour under Dealer would be welcomed since it would allow you to work your butt off to try and make reach that amount when you get offered a firearm that you're really looking to add to your collection. (I really did want that Thompson at half price) :)
  • If we already have a weapon in our arsenal which is the same model as the one used in the Daily Missions, why can't we do the Daily Mission with that weapon? Doesn't make much sense that we'd have to use a stock model with 0 levels in it and none of our preferred equipment when we're already holding a version of the same gun which would actually work for the mission. I'd much rather take my M1897 Trench Gun with 100% Reload, Handling and Accuracy, Armor Piercing Rounds, 9 round Magazine, four Lasers, Angled Foregrip, Compact Holographic Sights and Medium Supressor (which kicks TOTAL butt!) instead of the base model which... well... doesn't.  I mean heck, with all of the time and 'money' people put into their prefered firearms, why the hell NOT let them use them for the Daily Missions?! Heck, at least let us bring our actual SKILLS into the Daily Missions.  We spend a lot of time garnering Reload, Handling and Accuracy bonuses in this thing.  Why would we immediately forget how to use the damned things the moment we signed up for the minigames?
  • Press 'decline' and you will use the gun that your equipped,with.
  • Thanks! They really need a better tutorial with this thing :)
  • I managed to pick up the "Clean Sweep" Achievement for all bullseyes using my Vintorez sniper rifle. :) Now I've got another problem: The game tried to sell me a P90.  I'd already purchased one last night before going to bed, but it still hasn't arrived.  It says that it should be here in 8 hours. I'm just glad that I didn't have enough left to purchase it, again or I'd be royally pissed off right now. :)