Holdfast: Ultimate Edition delivers the complete multiplayer experience of Holdfast: Nations At War, an action-focused first and third-person shooter centered on large-scale historical combat. Players join battles set in the Napoleonic Wars and World War I eras, commanding up to 150 participants across land and sea maps. The game emphasizes coordinated team play with period-accurate weapons such as muskets, cannons, bayonets, and swords, while allowing character customization through uniforms and roles that support infantry lines, mounted charges, artillery support, and naval command.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around forming disciplined ranks for volley fire or breaking into skirmish lines during intense firefights. Players select from distinct battlefield roles that include line infantry for massed shooting, officers who issue commands and boost morale, artillery crews operating cannons, cavalry riders for flanking maneuvers, and sailors crewing ships in naval engagements. Proximity voice chat encourages roleplay and tactical coordination, turning chaotic battles into organized assaults where communication determines success. Factions such as Britain, France, Prussia, Russia, Italy, and Austria provide balanced options in the main Napoleonic theater, while World War I content adds Central Powers and Allied forces for trench and naval warfare. Recent expansions have introduced American Revolution regiments and uniforms, expanding the roster of historical units available for play.
Game Modes
Holdfast supports several multiplayer formats that test different aspects of teamwork and strategy. Line battles focus on regiment formations and sustained musket exchanges across open fields. Siege battles involve attacking or defending fortified positions with ladders, cannons, and close-quarters melee. Naval combat places players on warships where they load cannons, maneuver vessels, and board enemy ships. Invasion modes feature multiple maps with reinforcement depletion or objective capture as win conditions. The Offensive mode, added in the American Revolution update, introduces a tug-of-war progression system that requires sequential pushes and holds on key points. These modes run in large 150-player servers and rotate across Napoleonic, World War I, and Age of Sail fronts.
Historical Eras and Factions
The game spans multiple conflicts through its base content and expansions. Napoleonic battles feature European powers clashing with musket lines and cavalry charges. World War I sections shift to trench warfare and dreadnought naval actions. The American Revolution addition brings new maps, regiments such as the Green Mountain Boys and Washington's Grenadiers, and updated mechanics for that theater. All factions remain balanced without inherent advantages, allowing players to focus on tactics rather than unit stats. Ongoing development includes the upcoming Age of Sail overhaul, which will add the Privateer faction and refine maritime gameplay.
Current State and Community
Holdfast maintains active support with regular patches that introduce new maps, balance adjustments, and faction content. The American Revolution update launched in July 2026 with four historical maps and the Offensive mode, boosting player interest around the anniversary period. The community drives much of the experience through organized events, regiment play, and voice chat interactions that emphasize historical immersion and light roleplay. Servers frequently host line battle events and custom scenarios that highlight the game's social strengths.
Is It Worth Playing?
Holdfast suits players who enjoy large-scale multiplayer shooters that reward coordination over individual skill. The emphasis on formation tactics, historical weapons, and voice chat creates a distinctive experience compared to faster-paced modern titles. Those interested in Napoleonic or World War I settings will find repeated value in the variety of land and naval maps. The game runs on Xbox Series and PC with consistent updates that keep content fresh. Community feedback highlights its strength as a social and roleplay platform where organized groups thrive, making it a solid choice for fans of team-based historical action who value atmosphere and communication alongside combat.
