Verdun
Verdun is a World War I first person shooter that takes its name from the brutal 1916 clash on the Western Front. It focuses on squad play and the harsh rhythm of trench fighting, with battles supporting up to 32 players per match.
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Publisher: Steam Playerbase: Low Type: First Person Shooter Release Date: September 19, 2013 (early access) Pros: +Historically grounded WWI weapons and maps. +Distinct squad roles that encourage teamwork. +Both tactical and quicker, casual modes. Cons: -Small community, so matchmaking can be slow. -Menus and HUD can be hard to read at first. -Movement and overall feel can seem a little heavy. -Demanding learning curve for FPS newcomers. |
Verdun Overview
Verdun is a buy-to-play, squad-focused online FPS that aims to capture the tension and attrition of WWI trench combat. Instead of modern loadouts and fast respawns, it leans into believable period equipment, grounded visuals, and a pace that rewards positioning and coordination. Matches are built around teams of four, and those squads matter, since each soldier slot is tied to a role that supports the group rather than operating as a lone-wolf kit.
The game offers different ways to play depending on what you want out of a session. Dynamic Fronlines is the more tactical option, built around coordinated pushes and defensive holds that mirror the back-and-forth nature of trench lines. Rifle Deathmatch, on the other hand, is designed as a simpler, quicker mode where you can focus on fundamentals like aim, timing, and learning the weapons without as much overhead. As you play, you earn experience that goes into class progression, opening additional weapon options and role-related abilities over time.
Verdun Key Features:
- Trench Warfare – Verdun delivers WWI-era firefights with authentic weaponry, uniforms, and recognizable battlefields.
- Tactical Squad-Based Gameplay – every player in a four-person squad fills a specific role, which pushes teams toward coordination.
- Class Progression – level up through play to unlock new weapons and abilities tied to each class.
- Deathmatch Mode – a faster free-for-all option that highlights the era’s deliberate, single-bolt style of shooting.
Verdun Screenshots
Verdun Featured Video
Verdun Review
Verdun sets itself apart by committing to the feel of WWI combat, where sightlines are limited, shots are often measured, and pushing forward can be as much about timing and smoke as raw aim. The best moments come when your squad works as intended, one role watching angles, another preparing utility, and the group moving together from crater to crater or trench segment to trench segment. When the teamwork clicks, the game creates a tense kind of momentum that is rare in the shooter space.
The gunplay is intentionally less “snappy” than many modern FPS titles, which is fitting for the setting but can still be a hurdle. Weapons are deadly and often unforgiving, and the overall handling can feel weighty, especially when you are new and still learning how to pick fights on favorable terms. That slower style also amplifies mistakes, so early matches can be rough until you understand typical chokepoints, safe routes, and where defenders tend to set up.
Dynamic Fronlines is where Verdun’s identity comes through strongest. The mode encourages careful advances and punishes scattered pushes, because lone players are easy to pick off and do not create the pressure needed to break a line. Rifle Deathmatch is a good alternative when you want shorter, more straightforward firefights, and it can double as a practice ground for getting used to iron sights, reload timing, and the era’s weapon behavior.
Progression is handled through experience that feeds into class unlocks. It gives you a reason to stick with a role and improve at it, while gradually expanding your options without turning the game into a loot chase. The downside is that Verdun is not always easy to “read” at the UI level, and the interface can take time to understand, especially while you are also trying to learn maps and squad responsibilities.
The largest practical issue is the playerbase. With a low population, finding the right match at the right time can be inconsistent, and that can undercut what is otherwise a strong team-focused shooter. For players who value historical flavor and methodical gunfights, Verdun remains an interesting pick, but it is best approached with the expectation that it plays slower and expects more patience than mainstream FPS games.
Verdun Links
Verdun Official Site
Verdun Steam Page
Verdun Wikipedia Entry
Verdun Wikia [Database/Guides]
Verdun Metacritic Page
Verdun System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / Mac OS X 10.8 / Ubuntu 12.04 or later
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz / AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 4000+
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8600 / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
RAM: 3 GB
Hard Disk Space: 7 GB
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 / Mac OS X 10.8 / Ubuntu 12.04 or later
CPU: Intel Core i3-3240 3.4 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 40 or better
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GT 460 / ATI Radeon R7 250 2GB or better
RAM: 4 GB
Hard Disk Space: 10 GB
Verdun is Mac and Linux compatible
Verdun Music & Soundtrack
Verdun Additional Information
Developer: M2H / Blackmill
Publisher: Steam
Game Engine: Unity
Open Beta: June 8, 2013
Steam Greenlit Date: June 28, 2013
Early Access: September 19, 2013
Official Release: April 28, 2015
Development History / Background:
Verdun is a tactical FPS set in World War I with a clear emphasis on historical authenticity. Its uniforms, gear, and audio direction draw from real-world references to help sell the era. It also spent an extended period in early access, remaining purchasable in that state for close to two years before reaching its official release on April 28, 2015.