Stray Kite Studios Unveils "Wartorn," a Real-Time Strategy Roguelite
Stray Kite Studios, a Dallas-based developer boasting veterans from renowned studios like BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires, has announced its debut original title: Wartorn. This real-time strategy roguelite, slated for a Spring 2025 Early Access launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store, promises a unique blend of tactical combat, challenging moral dilemmas, and destructible environments rendered in a striking painterly art style.
Wartorn follows the journey of two elven sisters striving to reunite with their family in a fractured fantasy world consumed by chaos. Their quest will be fraught with peril, demanding strategic combat prowess and difficult choices with lasting consequences.
Dynamic Chaos and Destructible Environments
The game's chaotic nature extends beyond its narrative. Wartorn's physics-driven environmental destruction system ensures no two playthroughs are alike. Every battle unfolds dynamically, reacting to player actions and creating unpredictable scenarios. This element, coupled with the challenging moral choices players face between battles (such as deciding who to save or feed), contributes to a highly replayable, story-driven roguelite experience.
The magic system further enhances this dynamic gameplay. Players can creatively combine elemental forces (fire, water, lightning) to conjure spells with diverse applications, exploiting environmental weaknesses for tactical advantage. For example, shocking enemies in water or igniting tar-covered foes.
Strategic Depth and Accessible Gameplay
Despite the inherent chaos, Wartorn prioritizes accessibility. A slow-motion feature allows for precise command input, even amidst the most intense battles. Furthermore, a robust progression system allows players to carry upgrades between runs, making each attempt slightly easier than the last. The game's painterly aesthetic enhances the dramatic narrative, immersing players in the sisters' perilous journey.
Co-founder and Creative Director Paul Hellquist states, "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 is poised to deliver a compelling and replayable experience, blending strategic depth with accessible gameplay. Its Early Access release on Steam and the Epic Games Store is scheduled for Spring 2025.
