First Impressions: Over The Top
- PadrePlayz
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Oh mama I am hyped. It feels like decade since I was excited about a game, but I am feeling it. The name of this game is Over the Top WWI.
Over the Top is a third person shooter by Flying Squirrel Entertainment set in the first World War. It is a combined arms game with a combination of infantry, vehicles, and aircraft. I have been keeping my eye on this title for a while. It reminded me a lot of Holdfast, which not to long ago added it's own WWI maps. I did not try any of the play tests, but had it wish listed on Steam. It launched on March 6th with a decent price and a 15% discount so I had to grab it. Boy was I glad I did!
The game launched with 12 maps, 3 factions, and an ass load of weapons. The structure of the game reminds me of similar titles like Verdun. Different classes, squad system, your officer is your spawn point. The game has you play as the Entente or Central powers fighting over points on the map. You pick a class, spawn in and its just 100% chaotic fun from there. Running through trenches as shells fall all around you. Biplanes flying over head raining machine gun fire down on your position. Your officer calls in a rolling artillery barrage and someone yells charge and your literally Over the Top. It is so much fun. One of its innovative features is the entire map can be altered by the battle. With your shovel you can dig trenches all along the map to help with defenses. Falling shells create impact craters and damage buildings. I have never seen a system like this in a shooter before, and from a 4 person studio?! What a feat!
The gameplay mashes together an arcardey type shooter with a serious violent time in our worlds history and does it really well. The game has cosmetics that you can unlock by playing the game. Things like different uniforms, helmets, and weapon camo. Cosmetics feel period appropriate. I mean I am no historian but the uniforms and helmets all appear accurate from some time in the war (understanding uniforms and gear drastically changed from 1914 to the end of the war in 1918). The developers created a world that stays true to its subject matter and makes you feel immersed in it. The attention to detail is superb in this game. They have an accent selection. For the British faction you could unlock accents for Australian, Canadian, Scottish, and Indian soldiers. For the Germans their is different regional accents from the Kaiserreich, which I think is a great touch. I just been having genuine fun with this game. The proximity chat adds hilarity to the fun. In one match someone was screaming "medic, medic!" to which he gets a reply "there is nothing more I can do for you son".
Based on their published road map they have more maps planned for 2026 and plans to introduce the US as a faction. Overall first impressions are super positive and hope this title continues to bring joy throughout 2026 and beyond.
Over the Top WWI is the intellectual property of the Flying Squirrel Entertainment
This article is subject to Fair Use (US Law) and Fair Dealing (Canadian Law) as it is informational in purpose and is a critique of the product. All rights and credits go directly to the owners. No copyright infringement is intended