Overhype Studios, the clever minds behind 2017's cult hit Battle Brothers, is back. They are set to launch their new turn-based strategy game, MENACE, into Steam Early Access this autumn. While it inherits the tactical depth that made Battle Brothers a success, MENACE is pushing the scale further by fusing modern warfare with a gritty sci-fi setting.

The game drops you into a distant, hostile future, tasking you with commanding a mobile strike force. With procedurally generated maps and stories, paired with a meticulously crafted combat system, the developers promise a fresh strategic puzzle every time you deploy. Let’s dive into the core mechanics and the challenges that lie ahead.

The setting is the 'Wayback' star system, a lawless frontier where order has long since evaporated. You operate out of the assault cruiser 'TCRN Impetus', commanding a motley crew of marines, mercenaries, and criminals. Your job is to broker peace—or chaos—between pirates, faceless corporations, and fractured planetary governments. All the while, a mysterious threat known as 'MENACE' looms large. You must neutralise this entity before it spirals out of control and consumes the entire system. Every distress call you answer and every resource you deploy shifts your standing with local factions, which in turn dictates your access to gear and orbital support.

Gameplay is split into two distinct layers: grand strategy and granular tactics. On the strategic side, you are responsible for upgrading your ship and managing your troops. Through missions, you earn promotion points, OCI parts, and authority points to bolster your fleet. Specifically, OCI (Operational Capability Improvements) allows for devastating tactical interventions like orbital strikes or rocket barrages.

Then, there are the tactics. Combat is a turn-based affair using an 'alternating initiative' system, where you and the AI trade actions unit by unit. It demands high-level decision-making; you must carefully weigh who moves first and when. Expect large-scale engagements involving infantry, tanks, and hulking walkers.

One of the standout features is the 'Squaddie' system. Each member of your squad is an individual with a name and a history. If they fall in battle or sustain injuries, those scars are permanent. There are no magical auto-heals here; when a soldier is lost, they are gone for good, taking their experience and the effort you invested into them to the grave.

To manage this, there is a 'persistent personnel pool' system. You must recruit fresh faces to fill the gaps or expand your squad. However, reckless charges or leaving soldiers exposed will drain your roster fast, forcing you to treat every encounter with a healthy dose of caution.

Tactical combat goes beyond simple pew-pew exchanges. Vehicles have distinct health and armour values for their front, sides, and rear, requiring you to flank effectively. If a vehicle takes enough damage, it suffers 'faults' that hinder performance, adding an unpredictable layer to the scrap. To counter this, a modular weapon system lets you mix and match light, medium, and heavy weapon slots on vehicle chassis to suit the job at hand.

Infantry armour is tiered from level 1 to 6, mirroring real-world ballistic standards. Higher protection comes at the cost of mobility and logistics. These ratings are critical in calculating armour penetration and damage. You can even use lighter variants to boost stealth or carry extra gear. In MENACE, your loadout is not just about stats; it is a tactical choice that determines your mission success.

Discipline and Morale are the heart of the battlefield. Physical damage is only half the battle; if your soldiers' morale breaks, their accuracy and action points plummet, and they may even become uncontrollable. The 'Suppression' mechanic is key here—pinning enemies behind cover allows for a realistic 'find, fix, flank, and finish' approach to combat.

An 'Operation' consists of 3 to 5 procedurally generated missions linked together. This isn't just window dressing; damage to gear and losses in your squad carry over from one mission to the next. If you fail, the whole operation is compromised, making preparation vital.

Rewards manifest as 'Strategic Assets'—temporary boons that apply for the duration of the current operation. Successfully rescuing troops might net you an extra squad for the finale, while destroying pirate supplies could weaken their forces in subsequent encounters. These assets turn the tide of battle and give you meaningful reasons to choose one mission over another.

Be warned: if you ignore a mission, the enemy will claim those 'Enemy Assets' for themselves. A pirate metalworks might boost their armour durability, or a propaganda centre might harden their resolve. It is a constant tug-of-war between grabbing power for yourself and denying it to your foes.

The developers state that 80% of the core features are currently implemented, with the team now shifting focus to bug squashing, balance passes, and overall polish. A public demo focusing on tactical combat is slated for release in late September, which—true to form—uses the same procedural generation to keep things interesting.

MENACE is scheduled for Steam Early Access in the autumn of 2025 and will officially support Korean.