Stray Kite Studios, an indie team composed of veteran developers, announced their first original game called Wartorn.
Built by developers of games like Age of Empires, Borderlands, and BioShock are building a real-time tactics roguelite title.
Players follow two elven sisters as they journey to reunite their family. Along the way, they confront moral dilemmas and battle external and internal threats, all while utilizing elemental and physics-based systems in their desperate quest for survival. Wartorn is coming to early access on Steam and Epic Game Store in spring 2025.
“Wartorn challenges players to navigate the chaos of a divided 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’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.”
Set in a fantasy realm torn apart by extremism and the unraveling of ancient bonds, Wartorn follows an extended family as they fight to reunite and survive. Players will make tough decisions, from choosing who gets fed to deciding which lives can be saved, all while confronting the moral quandaries of violence and sacrifice.
From the beginning, Stray Kite Studios has focused on making Wartorn stand out in the tactics genre. Clever tactics and skillful use of abilities are rewarded, during brutal battles imbued with personality and rendered with a masterfully realized aesthetic.
Here are some of Wartorn’s key features:
Dynamic Combat: Wartorn’s dynamic combat system lets you harness elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning, which interact in exciting ways to create unique tactical opportunities. Ignite tar to engulf enemies, amplify electric shocks with water, or douse flames to shift the tide of battle.
Destructible Environments: The game’s physics-driven destruction ensures that no two encounters play out the same, adding layers of depth and unpredictability to every skirmish.
Unique Progression System: The roguelite progression system rewards players for perseverance, offering heirlooms, hero upgrades, and new abilities that carry forward with each run.
Beautiful Aesthetic: Wartorn’s world is visually compelling, with heroes, enemy mobs, and its magical lands rendered with incredible attention to detail. The painterly aesthetic adds a gorgeous layer to the experience, even during moments of brutality and tragedy.
Slow Down Time: With the slow-time feature, even the most complex scenarios are accessible, allowing players to pause the chaos and issue precise commands, adapting gameplay 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 like 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 it now. The company was started in 2018.
