Napoleonic multiplayer shooter celebrates "massive response" to crossplay update

Multiplayer first-and-third-person shooter Holdfast: Nations at War isn't new to PC, but it's currently seeing a resurgence thanks to the launch of a crossplay update. The roleplay-friendly war game, which includes conflicts across both the Napoleonic Wars and World War I, has just landed on consoles, spurring a new player count record. Developer Anvil Game Studios thanks the community for its "massive response" across all platforms, saying the launch "will be a day to remember."

Holdfast: Nations at War is all about large-scale, player-driven battles. While it originally launched with just the Napoleonic Era, Anvil introduced a free World War I total conversion in 2022, giving Holdfast a two-pronged assault on our best multiplayer games list. Described as a "roleplay shooter that places community at the forefront," it's filled with features such as proximity chat to support people enjoying the historical recreations across land and sea together, and its expansion to consoles has just dramatically widened the potential audience.

You can play Holdfast as an FPS game or in third person, and will be able to find a role for you among its many jobs on the battlefield. Perhaps you'll become a decorated and respected officer, leading your men on the frontlines, or riding into battle on horseback to unleash hell with your bayonet. Maybe you're more at home in a supporting role as an artillery gunner, or in command of a naval vessel. With a total of 27 classes to choose from, each featuring its own traits and abilities, there's a place for everyone.

"Steel has been given," Anvil writes in a celebratory thank-you message. "Holdfast has broken its all-time concurrent player count record with a whopping 6,500+ peak on launch day. The massive response to the game's console release has been exceptional and a real joy to see everyone getting stuck in with some Holdfast goodness. Yesterday will be a day to remember for a long time for all of us at Anvil Game Studios." To support that demand, additional servers are being deployed, including officially-hosted Australian servers for players in Oceania.

If you want to join in on the action, Holdfast: Nations at War is available on Steam, priced at $19.99 / £16.75. Just head here to take a closer look. With an 89%-positive Steam review score from more than 22,000 user responses, you're certain to be met with an enthusiastic community.

For other aspects of human conflict, take a look through the best war games we recommend in 2025, or upgrade your rig with the best graphics card you can get right now to ensure your reenactments look as good as possible.

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