WW1 Gallipoli Preview: For Those After a More Grounded Multiplayer Military Shooter

The speaker has developed a growing interest in military simulations, particularly the WW1 series, which they consider the most realistic first-person war shooter on the market. The upcoming game, WW1 Gallipoli, is highlighted as the next installment in this franchise and, based on a brief experience at PAX East, is potentially the best WW1 game yet. The speaker notes that while many Americans are familiar with the major powers of World War II, knowledge about World War I is often less extensive. They personally learned little about it in school, beyond the idea that the United States "saved the day." However, the reality of World War I was far more complex, involving empires and monarchies and marking a violent end to the concept of war as a "gentleman's adventure." The introduction of new, mechanized methods of killing led to unprecedented casualties, and the Great War's fallout profoundly shaped the 20th century, directly influencing World War II. The WW1 game series' commitment to accuracy, while also incorporating engaging gameplay elements, is what initially drew the speaker to WW1 Isonzo, the previous title. They discovered the series after an invitation to preview Gallipoli, and enjoyed Isonzo so much that they purchased the entire series during a Steam sale. A key improvement in WW1 Gallipoli compared to Isonzo is its visual quality. Despite Isonzo being a four-year-old game, the cliffs of the Gallipoli coast in the new title are significantly more detailed. The trenches are depicted with an unevenness that makes them feel more authentic, reflecting the difficult terrain. The battlefield itself is recreated using photogrammetry, a modern technique that ensures high accuracy of every geographical feature. This was a noticeable enhancement, as Isonzo sometimes featured a more textured, polygonal look. WW1 Gallipoli also introduces new classes: Ammo bearer, bomber, heavy machine gunner, and stretcher bearer. The speaker played as a light machine gunner, a role described as similar to the assault class in Isonzo. Ammo bearer and stretcher bearer are support roles with customizable loadouts; for instance, the stretcher bearer can either heal teammates from a backpack or opt for faster healing and additional medic crates. The speaker's campaign experience at PAX East involved playing as an Australian soldier storming the beaches. Unlike D-Day's mechanized landings, the Australians in the game rowed to shore in rowboats, a detail that surprised many convention attendees. The speaker humorously recounted not making it to shore with their company but being able to respawn on the beach. Another significant improvement in Gallipoli is the ability to "give up" when bleeding out, eliminating the need to spam for help if no one is coming. The game's commitment to realism extends beyond visuals; weapon handling is also accurate. Hip-firing a WW1 machine gun is impossible to aim effectively, requiring the player to crouch or go prone and deploy the bipod. Suppressive fire earns experience points, allowing players to contribute even without direct kills. Teamwork is crucial in WW1 Gallipoli, reinforcing the importance of squad-based gameplay. The speaker contrasts this with many Call of Duty matches where players often act as if it's team deathmatch. The community drawn to the WW1 series, however, tends to collaborate effectively. The speaker likened the experience to "digital World War I larping," finding themselves shouting commands despite playing as an Australian with only bots and the Blackmill Games CEO present. The brief time with WW1 Gallipoli concluded with a successful capture of the battlefield. The speaker also highlighted a "cool little touch": improvised grenades, which in reality were made from tin cans, are depicted in the game with fictional labels. The speaker expressed anticipation for the game's release, looking forward to "flinging explosive tins of haggis" at foes.