Ex-BioShock, Borderlands Devs Unveil New Chaotic Game

Stray Kite Studios, a team of seasoned industry professionals from Dallas, Texas, has unveiled their latest project, Wartorn. Scheduled for an early access release on both Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025, this game marks the studio's first original title since its founding in 2018. With a team of around 30, including former developers of BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires, Stray Kite Studios has previously worked on projects like Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure and various Creative maps for Fortnite.

Wartorn is an innovative blend of real-time strategy and roguelite genres, set in a fantasy world where players follow the journey of two elven sisters trying to reunite with their family. The game promises a chaotic and deeply divided setting, challenging players with not just combat but also with tough moral decisions. These choices, ranging from deciding whom to feed to whom to save, will shape the narrative and ensure that each playthrough is unique.

Wartorn Is Chaotic in More Than One Way

The chaotic nature of Wartorn extends beyond its narrative to its gameplay mechanics, featuring physics-driven environmental destruction that adds variability to every encounter. The game delves into themes of finding purpose amidst chaos, as articulated 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

In addition to its narrative-driven choices, Wartorn offers dynamic combat with a magic system that allows players to combine elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These elements can interact in various ways, providing strategic depth and situational advantages, such as igniting enemies covered in tar or electrifying them in water. The roguelite aspect of Wartorn includes a progression system where upgrades carry over between runs, making each attempt progressively more manageable.

Visually, Wartorn aims to captivate with its painterly aesthetic, enhancing the dramatic feel of its setting. To ensure accessibility, the game will feature an option to slow down the action, allowing for precise command inputs amidst the chaos. As players eagerly await its release, Wartorn stands out as a thoughtful and engaging addition to the real-time strategy and roguelite genres.