The historical first-person shooter genre takes on a new dimension: developer Hoothanes and publisher 4Divinity launch The Defiant, a new action game that illustrates the events of World War II from a rare perspective. The game is dedicated to the Chinese resistance struggle and the historical battles of the East Asian Front. Officials have shown new film footage showing fierce fighting at the Futu Valley Wall in 1942. The game will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, the specific release date has not yet been determined.
The plot of “Rebels” follows a group of soldiers who are deployed in Northeast China as part of the anti-Japanese coalition. The action will take you to the snowy forests of the northeast and the heavily guarded streets and alleys of occupied cities.
The developers placed great emphasis on a dark, melancholic atmosphere, aiming to capture the tragedy and danger of the resistance struggles of the time. Throughout the campaign, your character will be supported by loyal companions, which will bring extra depth to the emotional journey.
In terms of content, the game is structured as a collection of various interconnected stories. These aim to revive the collective memory as well as the individual fates of the warriors and underground radio speakers of the time.
Missions are diverse and dynamically switch between covert operations, city-capture espionage, melee and ranged combat. You must plan your route carefully, utilize cover, and use your arsenal of weapons in a targeted manner to survive against superior enemy forces.
Gameplay relies on dynamic firefights where you have access to a contemporary arsenal of historical firearms. These include the classic Hanyang 88 rifle, Mauser C96 and SIG Bergmann Model 1920.
In addition to direct confrontation, the exploitation of the environment also plays a central role. Many areas are illuminated by enemy searchlights, which are designed to nip any signs of resistance in the bud and require you to proceed without being detected.
You can try the game yourself for the first time in the West in a 15-minute public demo at Gamescom 2026 in Hall 7.
