Here we are at the weekend with a recap of all the latest new releases in RPGs and strategy games. As usual, I’m looking not only at new releases, but also at titles leaving Early Access for their full debut, and even demos if I think they’re worth mentioning.
The highlights this week are certainly the new DLC for Chained Echoes and the unique, JRPG-inspired Artis Impact, but there are also a few semi-hidden gems and a demo for a game that looks genuinely original. So, let’s jump into my weekly recap.
Valiant Tactics
- Developer: Felid Entertainment
- Release date: 4 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Valiant Tactics wastes no time throwing you into the heart of a kingdom in chaos. Playing as a loyal knight, you’ll gather a crew of five heroes from a roster of eight unique classes, each bringing their own abilities and quirks to the table.
Battles strip away hit-chance randomness, so every strike lands, yours and the enemy’s, making positioning, cooldowns, and ability timing the real keys to survival. Across changing weather, varied terrain, and encounters with nine different enemy factions, you’ll hunt for powerful gear, unlock masteries, and make choices in dynamic events that can tip your campaign for better or worse.
With ten bosses to face, branching builds to experiment with, and no two runs playing out the same, the road to dethroning the usurper is as much about adapting as it is about fighting.
Artis Impact
- Developer: Mas
- Release date: 7 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Artis Impact feels like stepping into a cozy, pixel-drawn slice of the future, where humans and AI share a world full of secrets, side stories, and small joys.
You play as Akane, a cheerful yet determined protagonist, joined by her sarcastic AI partner, Bot, as you wander vibrant, hand-drawn maps, chat with eccentric locals, and uncover mysteries both lighthearted and dark.
The combat is classic turn-based and intentionally simple, letting exploration, character growth, and quirky interactions take center stage. Between upgrading your home, taking odd jobs, and chasing down hidden side quests, there’s always another reason to linger in its charming streets.
Even if the battles aren’t the toughest you’ll face, the personality, art, and storytelling make this one worth spending time with. Here you can find our review to learn more about it.
Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC
- Developer: Umami Tiger (Matthias Linda)
- Release date: 7 August
- Platforms: PC – PlayStation – Xbox – Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
Ashes of Elrant returns players to the richly crafted world of Chained Echoes, slipping in just before the final moments of the original story. The Crimson Wings are called to the distant land of Elrant, where shifting truths, new threats, and long-buried secrets await.
Alongside the familiar cast, a new playable character joins the party as you explore fresh locations, face over forty new foes and bosses, and collect equipment to push your builds further.
The DLC doesn’t just expand the map, it deepens the lore, revealing more about Lenne’s past and the origins of the Order of Leonar.
With new music, mini-games, and the same blend of classic pixel art and modern turn-based design that made the base game so beloved, it’s a welcome reason to take one more journey with the crew.
Star Scum (E.A.)
- Developer: Soft Realm
- Release date: 7 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Star Scum blends deckbuilding with turn-based ship combat in a way that keeps every decision under pressure. You’re not just playing cards, you’re commanding them as active units while also managing your ship’s layout, upgrades, and limited command points each turn.
The single-player roguelite mode has you piecing together a deck from hundreds of unique cards as you push through tougher AI opponents, unlocking new ships and tools along the way.
And when you’re ready, you can take your builds into ranked online matches or custom battles against AI or friends.
With its Early Access launch, the foundations are already in place for a deep, highly replayable tactics experience.
Pennon and Battle
- Developer: PB Studio
- Release date: 8 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Pennon and Battle has left Early Access with a 1.0 launch that turns its Heroes of Might and Magic–style foundation into a far more ambitious strategy sandbox.
Set in Ruachland’s fractured fantasy realm, it mixes classic hex-grid battles with hero progression, faction-specific towns, and sprawling campaign maps you can explore solo, online, or in hot seat with up to eight players.
The update expands each alignment’s roster to 140 recruitable units with branching promotions, adds wonder buildings and a flexible city-level system, and brings sharper combat tweaks like mid-turn spellcasting and more tactical targeting.
Two new story campaigns join challenge maps, tournament play, and a packed arsenal of spells, artifacts, and treasures, while the built-in map editor and Steam Workshop support open the door for endless community creations. I’m very curious about how it turns out.
Shards of the Realm
- Developer: Yevhen Rebrakov
- Release date: 8 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Honestly, I had never heard of Shards of the Realm until today, when I came across the news that this interesting tactical RPG has stepped out of Early Access.
In this Old-School Tactical strategy RPG, you’ll manage a fortress, negotiate with rival factions, and handcraft every piece of gear while leading a customizable squad of up to nine heroes into physics-driven battles where positioning, cover, and destructible environments shape every encounter.
The update smooths the early game with a steady income boost from allied factions, then raises the stakes later with faster enemy patrols that force careful planning.
Looks like it features a flexible class and multiclass system, robust crafting and research, political alliances, and the ever-present risk of Demonic Sieges. There’s even a demo to try.
Stellar Raiders (Demo)
- Developer: Five Head Games
- Release date: 8 August
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
The demo I’ve picked this week, and that I’m about to try, is Stellar Raiders. It puts you in charge of a scrappy crew of space pirates, boarding hostile ships in tight, turn-based battles where every tile and action counts.
Each raider brings unique movement tricks and powers, from pushing enemies into hazards to swapping places or even cloning themselves, letting you set up satisfying chains of moves.
Between raids, you’ll expand your ship, boost your loot hauls, and hunt down artifacts with game-changing passive effects.
The free demo offers three starting units, around a hundred skills and perks, and fourteen artifacts to experiment with, making it a perfect time to see if you’ve got what it takes to be the smartest pirate in the galaxy.
That’s everything I think was worth highlighting this week. Let me know what you think by reaching out on any of my channels. Have a great weekend. Ciao
