Long-in-development shooter Six Days in Fallujah is coming to Steam Early Access next month. The game was originally announced in 2009, but was shut down due to controversy over its adherence to the real-life conflict on which it was based. It resumed after six days in Fallujah and was given a 2021 release window before being delayed again.
Promising an immersive and unique take on real-world combat, the tactical shooter aims to bring players into modern-day events through the eyes of those who lived them first-hand. Six Days of Fallujah is set during the Iraq War, with a special focus on the harrowing second Battle of Fallujah, and the game delves into a sensitive and tragic chapter in which many Iraqi civilians died at the hands of U.S. troops and Allied hands. Additionally, the developer claims to have implemented a compelling new approach to AI in Six Days of Fallujah that further enhances the gameplay. However, the question remains whether players will find it appropriate to delve into a recent battle that is still fresh in the memories of many who were affected by its aftermath.
Scheduled to release in early access for PC via Steam on June 22, Six Days in Fallujah offers interesting features that may appeal to tactical shooter fans and those looking for a realistic urban warfare experience. The game features dynamic elements such as procedural architecture, which recreates each building each playthrough, and immersive effects such as realistic lighting, dust, smoke, and weather.
During its lengthy development, Six Days of Fallujah has been mired in controversy since it was first announced in 2009. The game’s ambition to translate a major real-life battle into video game form has been hotly debated, especially about Iraqi citizens in the game’s trailer and the potential glorification of American soldiers and the Iraq war itself. Initially, the game’s creators insisted it wasn’t a political statement, but they later acknowledged that making a game set against the backdrop of the Iraq War inevitably involves political ramifications.
Despite working with more than 100 soldiers involved in the battle, and involving more than 20 Iraqi civilians and soldiers during development, Six Days in Falluja will likely continue to spark controversy as the Early Access release approaches. The game will also launch on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms, although specific release dates for those platforms have yet to be confirmed.
Six Days in Fallujah is coming to Steam Early Access for PC on June 22. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are in development.