Gallipoli Review | GameWatcher

It’s funny to think Gallipoli is an outlier in today’s first-person shooter market because it’s so realistic. BlackMill Games’ fourth installment of its tactical World War I shooter builds on 2022’s Isonzo, exchanging Italy for the Middle East, once again headlined by the brutality that defined ‘The Great War’ (in hindsight: not so great).

That means there’s no sliding, wall jumping, or doing spinaroonies just before you hit a ridiculous headshot with a soldier from the British or Ottoman empires. Gallipoli is a game of tiny decisions combining to make a huge impact. The devs place an importance on the minutiae across its five maps, which range from the boat landings on Anzac Cove to street skirmishes of Kut Al Amara. Learning the intricacies of each is a vital first step, as Gallipoli quickly teaches you that meaningful survival can prop up your team of 25 players.

I say ‘meaningful survival’ seriously. Winning the war isn’t just about killing the enemy. It’s about positioning, timing, and knowing when to execute even the simplest, time-consuming actions, like reloading. Each class is defined by effectively carrying out small duties that build an advantage, leading to stopping power that thins the enemy who are desperately trying to do the same on their side of the trenches.

For example, a great spotter, or forward-thinking ammo carrier, can elevate the riflemen trying to hold the line. An accurate sniper, of which teams can only have two, can turn the tide by hitting deeper into enemy territory – but miss a shot and they may well be exposed. Heavy machine gunners, who must lug their hulking equipment around, can force onrushing attackers into hiding simply by opening fire.

Gallipoli’s new panic system feeds into this. Your soldier’s senses blur under sustained attack, forcing a retreat or rush to cover in order to snap out of it. This design means there’s reward in thinking about the bigger picture, even if it’s frustrating to keep feeling the effects of being hounded.

My best performances came from combining a few key kills with keeping the rival forces pinned back. Doing so is important in Expedition, the only game mode available, which essentially pits attack against defense in a bid to capture and maintain control of multiple strongholds.

Much of that comes down to reading the battlefield and taking time to assess the issues at hand. In one encounter, the enemy launched an assault down the right of the Suez Canal map, initially wresting power away with sheer numbers and surprise on their side. While the defenders’ respawns can feel unfair in this type of situation, enough of my squad managed to break free and flank, opening up a simple assassination on those who were plowing in. It was a basic maneuver, but it felt damn good.