Stray Kite Studios, an indie team of veteran developers, has announced their first original game called Warthorn.

Built by the developers of games like Age of Empires, Borderlands, and BioShock built real-time tactics roguelite titles.

Players follow two elven women as they journey to reunite their family. Along the way, they face moral dilemmas and battle external and internal threats, all while using elemental and physics-based systems in their desperate quest to survive. Wartorn will come to early access on Steam and Epic Game Store in spring 2025.

“Wartorn challenges players to navigate the chaos of a fragmented world while finding purpose and joy in selflessness,” said Paul Hellquist, creative director and cofounder of Dallas-based Stray Kite Studios, in a statement. “We poured our hearts into creating a game that is not only fun but also makes players think deeply about sacrifice, safety, and the bonds that unite us.”

Set in a fantasy realm torn apart by extremism and the dissolution of old bonds, Wartorn follows a family as they fight to reunite and survive. Players will make difficult decisions, from choosing who to feed to deciding which lives to save, all while dealing with the moral dilemmas of violence and sacrifice.

From the beginning, Stray Kite Studios has focused on making Wartorn unique in the tactical genre. Smart tactics and skillful use of abilities are rewarded, during brutal battles full of personality and translated into a masterfully realized aesthetic.

Here are some of the key features of Wartorn:

Dynamic Combat: Wartorn’s dynamic combat system allows you to use elemental forces such as fire, water, and lightning, which interact in exciting ways to create unique tactical opportunities. Burn tar to engulf enemies, multiply electric shocks through water, or extinguish fire to turn the tide of battle.

Shattered Worlds: The game’s physics-driven destruction ensures that no two encounters are alike, adding layers of depth and unpredictability to each battle.

Unique Development System: The roguelite progression system rewards players for persistence, offering legacies, hero upgrades, and new abilities that progress with each run.

Nice Aesthetic: The world of Wartorn is visually stunning, with its heroes, hordes of enemies, and its magical lands rendered with incredible attention to detail. The painterly aesthetic adds a beautiful layer to the experience, even in times of cruelty and tragedy.

Slow Time: With the slow time feature, even the most complex scenarios are accessible, allowing players to stop the chaos and issue precise commands, adapting the game to suit their pace.

“Our vision for Wartorn is a game that seamlessly blends artistic expression, tactical depth, and emotional resonance,” said Shovaen Patel, CEO of Stray Kite Studios, in a statement. “We want players to feel that every choice matters, both on the battlefield and in the story.”

Wartorn will be available on Steam and Epic Games Store Early Access this spring, and you can wishlist today. The company started in 2018.

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