Holdfast: Nations At War stands out as an online multiplayer first and third-person shooter that blends action, strategy, and role-playing elements in historical settings. Set during the Napoleonic era and World War 1, this game emphasizes large-scale battles with up to 150 players per server, where coordination and community interaction drive the experience. Proximity voice chat lets players communicate in real time, turning battles into lively, immersive encounters filled with strategy and unexpected humor.
Gameplay
In Holdfast: Nations At War, the core loop revolves around selecting a class and diving into chaotic, team-based combat across land and sea. Players choose from 27 distinct classes, each with unique traits and abilities that support different roles, such as infantry firing musket volleys, officers leading charges, or artillery crews bombarding positions. Mechanics encourage standing shoulder to shoulder for coordinated attacks, using bayonets for close quarters, or commanding ships in naval skirmishes. Progression allows unlocking cosmetic items like specialized weapons and gestures, rewarding battle-hardened participants without altering balance. The first and third-person perspectives switch seamlessly, enhancing tactical decisions in smoke-filled fields or trench warfare.
Role-playing features shine through proximity chat, where voices carry based on distance, fostering organic alliances and rivalries. Cavalry charges on horseback add mobility, while naval combat involves steering vessels and firing cannons at enemy fleets. These systems create a blend of simulation and strategy, where voice commands often prove more vital than firepower alone.
Game Modes
Holdfast: Nations At War features several battle types that capture historical warfare without rigid single-player campaigns. Players join servers for massive engagements, including Napoleonic field battles where lines of infantry clash in open terrain, emphasizing volley fire and bayonet charges. World War 1 modes focus on trench-ridden frontlines, with soldiers advancing under whistle signals amid machine gun fire and artillery barrages.
Naval modes transport the action to the seas, allowing crews to man warships from the age of sail or bombard beaches like those at Gallipoli with dreadnoughts. These modes support up to 150 players, promoting team objectives like capturing points or sinking enemy vessels, all within multiplayer-only frameworks that rely on community participation for full servers.
Factions and Classes
Factions in Holdfast: Nations At War draw from historical powers, adding depth to the multiplayer setup. In Napoleonic scenarios, options include the British Empire, French Empire, Kingdom of Prussia, Russian Empire, Austrian Empire, or Kingdom of Italy, each with period-accurate uniforms and tactics. World War 1 divides into Central Powers or Allied Powers, reflecting the era's alliances.
Key classes include:
- Infantryman for frontline volleys and charges
- Officer to rally troops and issue commands
- Artilleryman for operating cannons and howitzers
- Sailor for crewing ships and naval gunnery
- Cavalry for mounted assaults
Each class contributes to team success through specialized abilities, like surgeons healing allies or engineers building fortifications, encouraging diverse squad compositions.
Is It Worth Playing?
Holdfast: Nations At War remains active with ongoing updates, including a recent one in early 2026 that introduced fresh content to keep battles engaging. Player reception highlights its strength in community-driven fun, especially in groups, with many noting the hilarity of voice chat moments amid intense fights. Available on PC and consoles, it appeals to those who enjoy historical shooters with role-playing twists.
For fans of large-scale multiplayer action mixed with strategy and simulation, this game delivers lasting value through its emphasis on teamwork and voice interaction. If you thrive in chaotic, player-led environments and appreciate historical authenticity, it stands as a solid choice, particularly when played with friends for coordinated tactics.
