New Game Announced by Ex-BioShock, Borderlands Devs: Chaos Ensues

Summary

• Stray Kite Studios has announced Wartorn.
• The newly revealed game is a real-time strategy roguelite with destructible environments, tough moral choices, and a painterly aesthetic.
• Wartorn is planned to launch in early access on Steam and EGS in spring 2025.

Stray Kite Studios, a Dallas, Texas-based developer founded in 2018, has unveiled their latest project, Wartorn. Comprising around 30 employees as of 2025, the studio is made up of industry veterans who have worked on high-profile titles such as BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires. Before Wartorn, Stray Kite Studios developed the standalone version of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, known as A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure, along with numerous Creative maps for Fortnite.

Wartorn marks Stray Kite Studios' first original game and is slated for an early access release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025. This tactical roguelite game blends real-time strategy with roguelite mechanics, set in a fantasy world where players follow the journey of two elven sisters on a quest to reunite with their family. This journey is fraught with challenging battles and morally complex decisions.

Wartorn Is Chaotic in More Than One Way

Wartorn's setting is a world engulfed in chaos, which not only affects the narrative but also the gameplay. One of the game's standout features is its physics-driven environmental destruction, ensuring that no two encounters are the same. The game delves into themes of finding purpose amidst chaos, as emphasized by Stray Kite Studios co-founder and creative director Paul Hellquist: "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."

Wartorn Will Require Players To Make Tough Decisions

Between battles, players will face tough choices, such as deciding who to feed or whom to save from imminent danger. These decisions contribute to the game's story-driven roguelite experience, making each playthrough unique. Combat in Wartorn offers a flexible magic system where players can mix and match elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These spells interact uniquely with each other and the environment, providing strategic depth and varied gameplay.

Wartorn's progression system, a staple of roguelite games, allows upgrades to carry over between runs, easing the challenge with each attempt. The game's visuals aim to create a painterly aesthetic, enhancing the drama of its setting. To ensure accessible gameplay, Wartorn includes a feature to slow down the action, allowing players to give precise commands amidst the chaos.

Set to launch in early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025, Wartorn promises a unique blend of strategy, storytelling, and dynamic gameplay.