I have to admit, I’ve been somewhat dismissive of Overhype Studios’ new strategy title—you know, the creators of Battle Brothers. No specific reason, really—just the lack of details and proper gameplay sequences until now. But that’s changed. Straight from their Steam page comes a detailed devlog packed with information and screenshots about how the game’s Strategy Layer will work. After reading and seeing it, they’ve got my full attention.
Let’s be clear: everything you’re about to see is still a work in progress. That said, it gives a solid glimpse into the game’s UI and overall direction, and I must say, it’s impressive. Let’s dive into everything they’ve revealed so far:
The Starmap acts as your primary hub, offering a visual representation of the star system where MENACE unfolds. Here, you’ll navigate between planetary bodies, track faction ownership, and respond to requests for aid—ranging from tackling rogue pirates to containing alien infestations. Your choices in assisting or neglecting local factions will influence their loyalty, shaping alliances or sowing discord as you progress.
Resource management plays a critical role here. Key resources include Promotion Points, which allow you to level up and enhance squads; OCI Components, used to upgrade your ship and recruit squad leaders; and Authority Points, essential for maintaining crew morale and discipline aboard the TCRN Impetus. As the commander, you’ll face unpredictable challenges, from crew disputes to hidden distilleries, all requiring decisive action that could impact morale, authority, or vital resources.
Upgrading the Impetus is made possible through Operational Capability Improvements (OCIs). These upgrades unlock both active and passive abilities, such as air support during battles, enhanced squad recovery post-mission, or improved intelligence for mission planning. This customization ensures your ship can adapt to the escalating demands of the campaign, providing tools tailored to your strategy.
The screenshot that truly captured my interest in Overhype Studios’ new title is undoubtedly the one of the Armory, where you can manage your units’ equipment and stats—simply divine.
The Armory is where you’ll manage your squad leaders and pilots, fine-tuning their load-outs with a diverse array of weapons, armor, accessories, and vehicles. Each item comes with unique advantages and trade-offs, encouraging experimentation and empowering you to craft a playstyle that suits your preferences.
Promotions further deepen the customization, with each squad leader offering a distinct perk tree, unlocked using earned Promotion Points. These perks, along with personal traits unique to each leader, ensure meaningful progression and differentiation within your forces.
Finally, the diary teases additional features of the strategic layer to be detailed in future updates. These include a black market for trading and acquiring rare equipment, opportunities to recruit new personnel, and the introduction of “operations”—multi-mission campaigns that promise greater depth and complexity.
For now, this glimpse of MENACE’s strategic gameplay reveals a rich, interconnected system designed to complement its tactical combat. I’m starting to seriously think this might be the game that finally pulls us away from XCOM 3 for good.
