Team-based World War 1 FPS Gallipoli looks promising

Gallipoli is a new FPS with a focus on realism and historical accuracy.

BlackMill Games is known for its long-running series of FPS games set during World War I. Its next installment in the series, Gallipoli, brings the action to a new front, with new weapons and factions. I got the chance to play a few matches of the game during PAX East 2026. 

As you may have guessed by the game’s title, Gallipoli takes the action to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Ottoman Empire fought against the Allied Powers during WWI. Upon entering a match, I was assigned to one of the two factions, which determined the uniform I’d be wearing and the customization options available. For example, when playing on the Ottoman Empire side, there are several types of mustaches to pick from that were popular with Turkish soldiers during that time. With each side, there are also a couple of faces to pick from, uniform variations, and accessories (think ammo belts, pouches, etc.) BlackMill games keeps Gallipoli and its other WWI games centered on realism and historic accuracy, so character customization doesn’t get wacky like many other FPS games of today.

That focus on realism extends to the gameplay as well. The game mode I played was a large-scale 25v25 command mode, in which the two teams attempt to capture several objectives while advancing to the enemy’s HQ. While you can benefit here from having cracked aim and accuracy, it is not needed to excel in Gallipoli. That’s because of a system the game calls “suppression.” Firing near an enemy player will cause that player to become suppressed, making it harder to reload, aim, and fire. When advancing with your team, suppressing enemies can be a huge help. I suspect this will also make Gallipoli more accessible for new and casual players.

Similar to Battlefield, there are a variety of classes to play as, each having a different set of weapons to choose from and a unique ability. I enjoyed playing as an ammo bearing class that allowed me to spawn on my squadmates and provide ammo whenever needed. I also liked playing as the Sniper and the Commander, which can call for attacks on specific areas. 

The FPS genre is arguably the most competitive it’s ever been, which might sound scary for a small, niche game like this. Unlike recent failures in the FPS genre, however, it’s clear what type of audience Gallipoli is aiming for: a more casual audience who might also have an interest in playing in a historic warzone. If that sounds like you, keep an eye on Gallipoli, as it’s set to release later this year. 

This preview is based on a demo played at PAX East 2026. The final product is subject to change.

Shacknews staff does not use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their content. Shacknews strictly prohibits the use of its content for AI training or to generate text, including text in the style or format used for this publication. Shacknews reserves all rights to this work.