This title is a compelling blend of turn-based strategy, role-playing, and simulation, casting players as the leader of a fledgling mercenary company. Set in a gritty, low-power medieval fantasy world, the core experience revolves around survival, management, and tactical warfare. Released in 2017, this experience is available across PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch platforms. The atmosphere is grounded and unforgiving, demanding careful planning to keep your company solvent and alive.

Core Gameplay Loop: Strategy Meets Tactics

The gameplay is distinctly split between two major layers: the strategic world map and the tactical combat screen. This dual structure dictates how players manage their resources and engage in conflict.

On the strategic world map, players exercise complete freedom of movement across a procedurally generated campaign map. This is where the business of mercenary life takes place: choosing which contracts to accept for coin, scouting locations for valuable loot, tracking down dangerous foes, or visiting towns to resupply and hire men. Crucially, this is also the hub for managing your roster—hiring new recruits, equipping them with appropriate gear, and overseeing their individual progression and training.

When conflict arises, the game transitions seamlessly to a detailed tactical combat layer. Battles are resolved through intricate, turn-based engagements where positioning, unit specialization, and anticipating enemy actions are paramount to victory. Success in these bloody encounters directly fuels your company’s growth and reputation.

What defines the mercenary experience in this game?

Permadeath and Company Management

A defining feature is the high-stakes nature of leading a band of mercenaries. Every man and woman you hire has the potential to die permanently in battle, meaning losses are felt deeply, both financially and strategically. This system forces players to invest heavily in their troops' development, as replacing experienced veterans is a costly endeavor.

The low-power fantasy setting ensures that even seemingly simple bandits can pose a significant threat, reinforcing the need for careful preparation before every engagement. Players must constantly balance risk versus reward when deciding which contracts to pursue.

Equipment and Progression

Recruits start as raw, untrained individuals. Through combat and dedicated training, they gain experience and level up, allowing players to customize their skill trees and specialize them into various combat roles, such as frontline tanks, nimble skirmishers, or ranged support. Equipping your mercenaries with the right armor and weapons for the current threat is a vital strategic consideration before leaving town.

How is the world structured?

The open world is dynamically generated for each campaign, ensuring high replayability. While the core mechanics remain consistent, the geography, available contracts, and enemy placements shift every time you start a new game, challenging players to adapt their strategic approach to new circumstances.

Available Content

This main game experience has been supported post-launch with additional content. There are currently five downloadable content (DLC) packages available to expand the core game, offering new mechanics, scenarios, or units to integrate into the existing framework.