Stray Kite Studios, a team of industry veterans known for their work on high-profile projects like BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires, has announced their latest endeavor: Wartorn. This upcoming game combines real-time strategy with roguelite elements, set to launch in early access on both Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025. This will be the first original title from the Dallas, Texas-based studio, which was founded in 2018 and currently employs around 30 people.
Wartorn follows the journey of two elven sisters on a quest to reunite with their family. Their path is fraught with peril, encompassing intense battles and morally challenging decisions. The game's setting is a fantasy world engulfed in chaos, reflecting the internal struggles of its protagonists. One of the standout features of Wartorn is its dynamic, physics-driven environmental destruction, which ensures that no two encounters are ever the same.
Wartorn's Unique Blend of Strategy and Chaos
The core theme of Wartorn revolves around finding purpose amid chaos. "We’ve poured our hearts into creating a game that not only entertains but also makes players think deeply about sacrifice, survival, and the bonds that unite us," said Paul Hellquist, co-founder and creative director at Stray Kite Studios. Players will navigate through a world where they must make tough choices, such as deciding which character to feed or whom to save from death. These decisions are integral to the game's story-driven roguelite experience, ensuring that each playthrough is unique.
Combat in Wartorn is equally dynamic, featuring a magic system that allows players to mix and match elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These spells interact with each other and the environment in varied ways, offering strategic depth and situational versatility. For example, players can shock enemies in water or set fire to mobs covered in tar, adding layers of tactical gameplay.
As a roguelite, Wartorn includes a progression system where upgrades persist between runs, making each subsequent attempt at completing the journey progressively easier. The game's visual style is characterized by a painterly aesthetic that enhances the drama of its setting. To ensure accessibility, Wartorn allows players to slow down the on-screen action, enabling precise command inputs amidst the chaos.
With its blend of strategic depth, moral complexity, and engaging visuals, Wartorn promises to be a compelling addition to the roguelite genre when it launches in early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025.
