If you’ve spent the last few years wishing for a game that captures the “eighties action movie” vibe of Jagged Alliance with the polish of modern strategy, Warhounds is likely already on your radar. Developed by Everplay DMCC, this upcoming tactical RPG drops players into a near-future, alternative version of Africa where the geopolitical landscape is shifting and the only law is written by those with the most firepower. You aren’t playing a chosen hero or a galactic savior; you are the commander of a hardened mercenary outfit trying to keep your squad alive while carving out a reputation in a world of high-stakes contracts.
Lethal Combat Without the Luck
The most striking thing about the gameplay is its stance on randomness. We’ve all been there—standing two inches from an alien in XCOM with a 95% chance to hit, only to watch our soldier shoot the dirt. Warhounds is ditching the “bogus RNG” in favor of real ballistics. If your barrel is pointed at an enemy and there’s no physical obstruction, you’re going to hit them. This shift places a massive emphasis on line-of-sight, verticality, and destructible cover. When a wall gets blown out by a grenade, it isn’t just a visual effect; it fundamentally changes the tactical map, forcing you to rethink your flanking maneuvers on the fly.
Managing the Business of War
Success isn’t just about what happens during a twenty-minute skirmish. Between missions, you are responsible for the base management and logistics of your private military company. This means recruiting operators with distinct personalities and classes—ranging from heavy machine gunners to high-tech specialists—while balancing a strict budget. Every choice you make, from which allied faction you support to how you spend your intel, ripples out into the narrative. The campaign promises real consequences, meaning your political leanings could lock you out of certain gear or turn former friends into lethal rivals on the battlefield.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the game is currently deep in development, the hype is building following recent gameplay trailers that showcase its slick, isometric aesthetic and high-lethality combat. Published by Brightika, Inc., the game is currently targeting a 2026 release date on PC. For those who can’t wait that long, the developers have recently opened up windows for closed playtests, giving the community a chance to help tune the balance between “tactical hell” and a rewarding strategy experience. It’s a bold project that seeks to prove tactical RPGs don’t need a dice roll to be tense.
