Merciless trench warfare immerses you and your squad in intense battles of attack and defense. Verdun is the first multiplayer FPS set in an authentic World War One setting offering a rarely seen battlefield experience.
The game transports players to the Western Front between 1914-1918, with maps accurately based on real-world battlefields in France and Belgium. Reviewers praise the exceptional attention to detail, from the historically accurate uniforms and equipment to the overall grim atmosphere that effectively captures the realities of the Great War.
Players work closely with their 4-person squad, each with distinct roles and equipment, to coordinate attacks and defend objectives. Squads provide various combat perks and experience bonuses for cohesive teamwork, encouraging strategic decision-making and communication on the battlefield.
Combat is described as uncompromisingly realistic and punishing, mirroring the horrors of trench warfare. A single shot is often fatal, requiring players to cautiously navigate the treacherous no-man's land between trenches, facing risks of machine gun fire, artillery, gas attacks, and other deadly hazards.
The "Frontlines" game mode features a real-time, momentum-based system where teams alternate between attacking and defending ever-changing trench lines. Players highlight the intense ebb and flow of these battles, with successful attacks allowing teams to advance and capture enemy positions, only to then quickly transition to defending their own gains against counterattacks.
Reviewers praise the game's exceptional level of historical authenticity, from the realistic uniforms and equipment to the environmental destruction and sound design, all of which effectively immerses players in the grim realities of World War I combat. This attention to detail is cited as a key factor that distinguishes the experience from more conventional first-person shooter titles.