Wartorn is a squad-based roguelite focused on tactical elemental warfare

by

As I venture through the legendary Isles of Talaur, I’ve come to realize that these idyllic islands are brimming with danger. Every step towards freedom is met by a horde of adversaries, and the only way to push them back is by harnessing the raw power of the elements. This might sound familiar to many gamers, but Wartorn is taking this concept to unprecedented heights. I was fortunate enough to get an early sneak peek at Stray Kite Studios’ debut project, helmed by none other than Paul Hellquist, former Lead Designer of BioShock and Creative Director of Borderlands 2. The game is set to launch in early access soon, as reported by Shacknews following their recent visit.

Initially unveiled in January, Wartorn is a game that chronicles the tale of sisters Yara and Elani, elven duo forced to flee their homeland. Their ultimate refuge lies in Beynun, their ancestral land, but the journey there is fraught with peril as they confront hordes of formidable adversaries in real-time strategic encounters. Along the way, these sisters won’t be on their own, as they’ll enlist allies during their numerous treks across the Isles of Talaur.

Adventures unfold across an expansive world map. The route to Beynun isn’t explicitly marked, as Yara and Elani are venturing out from home for the very first time. As players navigate their caravan along various routes, Elani will document their journey with sketches. What sets each playthrough apart is that, in addition to ensuring everyone’s survival, players need to maintain a ‘hope meter’. Hope serves as the driving force for the caravan, inspiring everyone who joins them to keep going. If the hope meter depletes, either due to hunger or other hardships, the journey comes to an end.

As I journey through Wartorn, much like how it feels when playing tabletop games, unexpected incidents pop up along the way. These encounters might trigger the game’s action-packed combat sequences. In these battles, I get to assemble a team of up to four squads, joining forces with Yara and Elani on the battlefield. Each squad is unique, consisting of diverse fantasy tribes and races, each boasting their own special traits and skills. With everyone moving simultaneously, fights play out swiftly, even when I’m controlling only a few squads. To get the upper hand, I can hit the space bar to temporarily pause time, giving me a moment to strategize my next move.

In Wartorn, strategies play a crucial role. Players receive bonus attacks when they attack from behind an enemy, as one example. However, the most fascinating strategies often involve manipulating elements. Interactions between elements can determine the outcome of any fight. For instance, soaking enemies with water can make lightning attacks stronger, or setting fire to areas around enemies by attacking tar surfaces with fire. Winning every battle is the goal, but sometimes things don’t go as planned, and an escape option may be provided. It’s important to remember that permanent death means any lost squads won’t return, and the loss of squads can impact the hope meter.

Exploring the path to Beynun becomes a shared experience, as evidenced by the unveiled Villa hub. In this Villa, players interact with Non-Player Characters and prepare for their upcoming journeys. Prior to setting out on a journey, players may visit the Family Portrait Gallery and select a family member to accompany them. These selected individuals possess unique skills. For instance, Clucks is Yara’s pet chicken, capable of gathering resources, while Inkyra is an adopted winged relative who can help locate rare treasures. Only one family member can be chosen from the gallery initially, but more may be discovered during the journey itself. It’s beneficial to have family along for the ride, given that they offer Heirlooms, which provide passive abilities when equipped.

When observing a gameplay session of Wartorn, there’s an intriguing blend of Slay the Spire and Oregon Trail that emerges. Typically, games with this structure are associated with traditional RPGs or card-based combat adventures. However, Wartorn choosing the tactical real-time strategy (RTS) route is captivating and provides a unique experience compared to most roguelite games currently available. The adventure of Yara and Elani is far from over, as Wartorn is expected to remain in early access for some time. Players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on it; look for Wartorn to become available in early access on both Steam and the Epic Games Store starting from Tuesday, June 17.

Read More

2025-04-24 19:28