Before Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shifted the franchise toward modern combat and online-focused progression, first-person shooters were largely shaped by World War I and World War II campaigns. These games emphasized scripted missions, linear storytelling, and cinematic presentation. That era of FPS design is now the reference point for The Defiant, an upcoming World War II shooter developed by Hoothanes and published by 4Divinity.
The Defiant is a single-player FPS set during China’s War of Resistance against Japan, a part of World War II that has seen limited representation in mainstream shooters. Instead of following familiar Allied or Axis perspectives from Europe or the Pacific, the game places players in the role of Chinese soldiers fighting across occupied territory. This setting gives the project a different historical focus while still operating within the structure of a traditional WWII campaign.
Gameplay footage released so far has drawn comparisons to early Call of Duty and Medal of Honor titles. Viewers have pointed to the mission layout, weapon handling, and pacing as reminders of older campaign-first shooters. Comments on trailers published through major gaming outlets and the developer’s own channels suggest that many players see The Defiant as closer to how FPS campaigns were designed before live service models became common.
Story details remain limited at this stage, but Hoothanes describes the game as a narrative-driven experience built around battlefield scenarios and character-focused storytelling. The developer has highlighted an emphasis on tactical gunplay and grounded combat encounters, rather than large-scale open maps or long-term progression systems. This positions The Defiant as a contained experience meant to be played through as a complete story.
In the current FPS market, historical settings are often explored through multiplayer-focused releases. Games such as Hell Let Loose have found success by offering large online battles, while upcoming projects like Brass Rain continue that trend. The Defiant takes a different approach by concentrating on a single-player campaign, targeting players who prefer structured missions and narrative continuity over ongoing seasonal content.
The game is confirmed for release on PC and consoles, though no launch date has been announced yet. As more information becomes available, The Defiant may attract attention from players looking for a WWII shooter that prioritizes story and campaign design. For fans of older FPS titles, it represents a modern project built around ideas that shaped the genre before it moved in a different direction.
