Over The Top: WWI Review – Immersive And Fun Chaos

Many military and war video games aim to deliver either an arcade or a simulation experience. For example, the Arma series fully commits to a simulation-based depiction of war, while others, like the Call of Duty franchise, offer more of a blockbuster arcade experience. Some games, like the Battlefield titles, aim to offer a mix of these two elements: realism and arcade gameplay. A few of those even struggle to combine these two correctly. Newer Battlefield games are the best example of this struggle. While older entries had a perfect combination of these elements, the newer entries conflict in this mixture because they are trying to appeal to both sides, instead of focusing on that synchronization of simulation and arcade gameplay. While the latest Battlefield titles feel like they are afraid to adopt this mixture by not locking weapons to classes for example, games like Over The Top: WWI embrace this combination with open arms and clearly are not afraid to have fun with it.  

Developed by Flying Squirrel Entertainment, Over The Top: WWI brings a fun mixture of chaos and immersion. You can dig trenches, become a sniper, call or fire artillery, or simply play an instrument to raise the morale of your team. You begin your WWI journey by customizing your soldiers, changing their hair and beard, adding accessories, and customizing their uniform. Roles are divided into classes, and you can customize each class with its own fashion. For example, you can dress your sniper with a uniform that will help you camouflage, while your officer can have a more regal appearance. You can customize weapons and vehicles by adding accessories as well. Each team also has its own uniforms and colors. The teams are the German Empire, Great Britain, and the French Republic. In matches, Britain and France team up as the Triple Entente against the Central Powers.  

There are other game modes, such as Team Deathmatch, but the main one is Conquest. Two teams of 100 players each battle for control of specific areas. Each team has its own squads and classes (or roles). The classes are divided into Command, Infantry, and Support. In Command, you will find the Officer class. In the Infantry category, there are the Rifleman, Stormtrooper, Specialist, and Sniper. In the Support section, you will find the Engineer, Heavy Gunner, and Armoured classes. Each class is equipped with its own tools, gear, and weapons, creating different ways to play the game. If you enjoy long-range combat, the Sniper class might be for you. If you prefer leading the charge, the Officer class helps you do that by even using a charge whistle. If you enjoy the digging and construction side of the game, then the Engineer might be the perfect class.  

Yes, digging trenches and building are major factors in Over The Top: WWI. There are multiple unique maps in the game, but they change drastically depending on how much digging, building, and destruction the players create. These elements, combined with the variety each class has to offer, help make each match feel fresh and dynamic. I tend to criticize the decision in Battlefield 6 not to lock weapons completely to specific classes, and this is exactly why. Each class has its own identity, and specific weapons help make each one feel unique. This was a big part of what made Battlefield 1 one of the best games in the series. In Over The Top: WWI, each weapon also complements the equipment carried by the class. For example, the Sniper has a scoped rifle and a decoy to distract enemy players, while the Officer carries a pistol and binoculars, allowing them the agility needed to call in support. In addition to gear, players can select different perks, such as reducing environmental damage or increasing vehicle speed. 

The few issues I’ve had with Over The Top: WWI have been on the technical side. Frame drops are very frequent during large battles. Sometimes textures take time to load, and pop-ups can be a bit annoying. However, the developers continue to work hard, with updates and fixes being released almost every day since launch. The spawn system could also use some improvements. While the game sometimes notifies you if the area you selected to spawn in has nearby enemies, it does not always do so. It can be frustrating to spawn in a friendly base and immediately get eliminated. However, it is part of the chaotic nature that the game has to offer. 

I wish that some AAA studios were more like the Flying Squirrel team. They don’t hold back to take fun gameplay elements from other games like Holdfast: Nations At War and mix them with mechanics from games like Battlefield or Hell Let Loose. Historical and realistic settings are combined with over-the-top battle moments. One second you might see a teammate playing a funny song with an in-game instrument or over voice chat, and the next moment an airship goes down in flames from the sky. Over The Top: WWI offers gameplay moments that will leave you either laughing for days when you remember them or impressed by the spectacle you just experienced. 

Walter reviewed Over The Top: WWI with a provided review code. This review is based on the version of the game available at the time of writing and our score will not be changed.