7 Best FPS Games With Muskets, Ranked

Summary

• Darkest of Days offers a unique historical FPS experience with muskets – save key individuals from history.
• War of Rights immerses players in the American Civil War with muskets and realistic battles.
• Holdfast: Nations At War provides solid combat mechanics, historical conflicts, and musket action.

Ever since it was first introduced to gamers more than three decades ago, the FPS genre has become one of the most popular out there. Some titles in this genre play better with a controller than a mouse and keyboard, giving players a chance to choose. A few more focus on fast-paced combat with formidable enemies, whereas others prefer to revisit historical periods.

Whatever the case, there’s always fun to be had. Some historical FPS games feature weapons like muskets, which are very powerful, although sometimes inaccurate and hard to reload. Many of the titles covered below allow players to either traverse the battlefield from a third-person perspective or zoom into their weapon’s sights through a first-person view. Here are some of the best FPS games with muskets.

7 Darkest of Days

An Interesting Adventure Through Time

• Platform(s): Windows, Xbox 360, macOS, Classic Mac OS
• Released: September 07, 2009
• Developer(s): 8monkey Labs
• Genre(s): FPS
• Players must save key individuals from death
• Various weapons are available, including muskets

While Darkest of Days isn’t one of those FPS titles that will keep players busy for months, it still manages to deliver an entertaining experience for those who love history. Players will be in control of a soldier called Alexander Morris under General Custer’s leadership during the Battle of Litle Big Horn.

Throughout the game, players will have to take part in different historical battles to rescue important individuals from dying. Darkest of Days features various weapons, including muskets, which makes it a solid addition to the list.

6 War Of Rights

An American Civil War Story

• The game covers many aspects of the American Civil War
• Muskets are part of the combat experience

Set during the Maryland campaign in 1862, War of Rights presents players with a multiplayer-only experience that features maps of the battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Shepherdstown and more. On top of the well-crafted locations this title offers, there’s also great allied AI chatter that gives the experience a more realistic feeling.

War of Rights is one of those games that can provide players who fall in love with it with hundreds of hours of unending fun. Given the game’s period, there are muskets frequently involved in combat.

5 Battle Cry Of Freedom

An Authentic American Civil War Experience

• Platform(s): Windows
• Released: March 01, 2022
• Developer(s): Flying Squirrel Entertainment
• Genre(s): Shooter Video Game, Role-playing game, Indie game
• Fast-paced battles
• Realistic depiction of the American Civil War

It’s no secret that the American Civil War has sparked interest in movies, TV shows and games alike for decades. It was such an important period in history, that it has much to offer to both historians and history buffs alike. Battle Cry of Freedom touches on some of the most critical events of this armed conflict, allowing players to experience it in a very authentic way.

The game offers some unique control schemes, exciting battles, and the possibility to play in both a third and a first-person perspective.

4 Battle Grounds 3

A Great Title Covering The American War Of Independence

• Platform(s): Windows
• Released: June 30, 2019
• Developer(s): The Battle Grounds Game Development Team
• Genre(s): Shooter Video Game
• Set in the American War of Independence
• Fun combat experience

Leaving the American Civil War period behind and going further back in time, there’s Battle Grounds 3, an outstanding title set during the American War of Independence. The game presents players with an authentic experience during this important historical period, pitting British and American forces against one another for the ultimate battle.

Battle Grounds 3 isn’t one of the most challenging games out there, but it does present players with hard, yet satisfying gunplay, an entertaining combat experience, and interesting locations that feel true to the events covered.

3 Holdfast: Nations At War

A Game That Covers Key Historical Armed Conflicts

• Platform(s): Windows, GeForce Now
• Released: September 21, 2017
• Developer(s): Anvil Game Studios
• Genre(s): Shooter Video Game, RPG
• Fun multiplayer experience
• Solid combat mechanics

Similar to some other games on the list, Holdfast: Nations At War offers players an online multiplayer experience that can be enjoyed from both a first and a third-person perspective, giving the game versatility.

Covering important historical periods from the Napoleonic era and World War 1, Holdfast: Nations At War should be played by those who consider themselves to be history buffs. With great battlefield combat mechanics, tons of musket action, and beautifully designed uniforms for the soldiers on the battlefield, Holdfast: Nations At War is definitely a game to keep an eye on.

2 Hunt: Showdown 1896

An Interesting Premise With Late-19th-Century Elements

• Interesting concept based on hunting monsters in American rural areas
• A large variety of weapons to choose from

As opposed to other titles on this list, Hunt: Showdown 1896 takes a more fictional approach rather than focusing on accurate depictions of historical conflicts. Players will be tasked with hunting the savage monsters roaming the Louisiana swamps and the mountains in Colorado. Although the game’s concept is interesting, it can also feel a bit basic sometimes.

Now, just because Hunt: Showdown won’t make it into the hall of fame of the best story-driven FPS games out there, it doesn’t mean that it’s not fun to play. With a wide variety of weapons to choose from, including muskets, and different challenges presented to players, this title offers a great experience.

1 Mount & Blade: Warband – Napoleonic Wars

An Expansion Pack That’s Definitely Worth Playing

• Multiple unique units
• The game covers important historical battles

While Napoleonic Wars is not a standalone game, but rather a multiplayer DLC expansion for Mount & Blade: Warband, it still deserves a spot on this list, as it presents players with a great experience covering the final years of the French Empire’s dominance and expansion.

This title supports up to 250 players with more than 220 unique units to fight immersive historical battles, including the invasion of Russia and several others. All in all, Mount & Blade: Warband – Napoleonic Wars is a great game that allows players to use muskets and see what the bloody battles of the early 18th century looked like.