The biggest turn-based RPG and strategy news from August 24–29, 2026.
Last week, I said Gamescom would probably make the next recap considerably longer. That turned out to be an understatement.
Ubisoft unexpectedly turned one of its biggest franchises into a single-player tactics game; Heroes of Might and Magic III received both a remake and a long-overdue Steam release; and Paradox revealed a post-apocalyptic grand strategy project. Amplitude also confirmed HUMANKIND 2, while Worms abandoned Earth for a tactical roguelite trip through space.
Away from Gamescom, Star Wars Zero Company finally launched, Solasta II dated its multiplayer update, and Shadow of the Road secured a November release. There are plenty of new stories for me to tell you. So get comfortable and keep scrolling.
Table of Contents
Rainbow Six Goes Turn-Based
One of Gamescom’s biggest surprises was Rainbow Six Tactics, a single-player tactical game that moves Ubisoft’s military series away from real-time firefights and onto the turn-based battlefield.
Set alongside the timeline of Rainbow Six Siege, the game places us in the role of Six, overseeing operations from headquarters before personally directing squads in the field. The initial roster contains 15 Operators with individual abilities, gadgets, and skill trees, while deployed teams are limited to four members.
Missions will span more than 45 locations and include objectives such as Hostage Rescue, Bomb Disposal, and Target Elimination. Destructible environments remain central to the Rainbow Six identity: walls can be breached to create entrances, expose enemies, or remove cover. A dedicated Breach Planning system also allows multiple actions to be prepared and executed as a synchronized assault.
Between deployments, Operators can be trained, and the headquarters upgraded, suggesting that the strategic layer will have some depth. Rainbow Six Tactics is scheduled for 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Here is my article with everything we know so far about it.
Heroes III Is Being Remade – and the Complete Original Is Finally on Steam
Ubisoft had an even bigger announcement waiting for classic strategy fans: Heroes of Might and Magic III Remake is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with release planned for 2027.
The original turn-based structure, hero progression, army management, and grid battles are being rebuilt in Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine. The remake replaces the fixed isometric presentation with fully three-dimensional environments, free camera movement, 4K visuals, dynamic lighting, shifting seasons, and real-time weather.
Content-wise, the package includes the original campaign alongside Armageddon’s Blade and The Shadow of Death. All nine factions are returning, as are solo play, Hot Seat, and multiplayer for up to eight participants. Simultaneous turns and revised matchmaking are also being introduced.
Most importantly for the game’s long-established community, existing custom maps and campaigns are expected to remain compatible. Updated editing tools and an integrated hub will make community creations easier to find and share.
Ubisoft accompanied the remake announcement with another welcome surprise: Heroes of Might and Magic III Complete Edition is now available on Steam, marking the first release of the complete original version on Valve’s platform. A new mod campaign was released a few hours ago, and you can learn more about it in my article of the latest releases.
Paradox Leaves History Behind With Afterworld
Paradox Development Studio is stepping outside its usual historical settings with Afterworld, a new grand strategy game set in a procedurally generated, post-apocalyptic version of North America.
Each campaign begins with a small group of survivors struggling to secure food, water, fuel, and shelter. That vulnerable community can eventually grow into a continent-spanning empire, but expansion will require difficult decisions concerning laws, leadership, resource distribution, religion, diplomacy, and the treatment of mutated or technologically augmented people.
Technology follows a dynamic Ideas Tree rather than an entirely predetermined research path. Discovering a river might introduce irrigation, for example, while meeting another society could expose the population to organized religion. Convoys and supply lines are equally important, and an exhausted settlement may have to migrate rather than remain a permanent capital.
The old world has not disappeared entirely. Its ruins contain valuable technology, forgotten history, and the Ancients, pre-collapse figures kept alive through advanced machinery. Competitive multiplayer and cooperative campaigns are also planned. Afterworld is being developed for PC, although Paradox has not announced a release window. More details about Afterworld are in my article here.
HUMANKIND 2 Is Official
Amplitude Studios used Gamescom to confirm HUMANKIND 2, the follow-up to its historical turn-based 4X game. The sequel is headed to PC in 2027.
Once again, civilizations will develop from ancient history to the Modern Age, constructing cities, commanding armies, trading with neighboring powers, and moving between cultures.
Amplitude says customs will gradually emerge from ancestral heritage and the surrounding environment, while a changing climate will influence the world and the course of each civilization.
The initial announcement was relatively light on concrete mechanical changes, so the most important questions, particularly how culture switching, diplomacy, combat, and late-game progression have been revised, remain unanswered.
More information is expected over the coming weeks, and Amplitude intends to organize several opportunities for the community to play the game before release, but don’t worry, you will find updates on TBL if there are any.
Worms Enters the Tactical Roguelite Arena
Worms: Galactic Tactics takes Team17’s long-running series into a three-dimensional tactical roguelike built around destructible arenas, escalating challenges, and persistent upgrades.
Developed by Absolutely Games, it follows a customized squad through the Galactic Gauntlet, a succession of hand-crafted battles populated by specialist enemy classes and bosses. Movement, weapons, and utility items can be combined during each turn, while classic equipment is joined by new creations such as the Beambow, Meteor Sheep, and Die-napple.
Weapons can also be modified after battles, creating combinations that increase damage, generate shields, steal health, stun enemies, or launch combatants across the arena. Losing a run is not the end: collected resources can be invested in permanent upgrades before beginning another attempt.
Traditional Worms chaos has not been forgotten. The terrain is fully destructible, attacks still require manual timing and positioning, and local and online one-versus-one multiplayer will accompany the roguelike campaign. A release date has not yet been confirmed.
Star Wars Zero Company Is Finally Out
Star Wars Zero Company finally launched on August 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with a boom. It received lots of very positive reviews, and records were beaten at launch.
Bit Reactor’s single-player tactics game takes place during the final period of the Clone Wars. Former Republic officer Hawks leads an unconventional group containing authored characters and customizable recruits, including clone troopers, mercenaries, a Mandalorian, and a Jedi Padawan.
Combat uses a squad-first turn structure in which each Operator receives three Action Points. Positioning, cover, Overwatch, special abilities, and environmental interactions determine the outcome of each encounter. Between missions, the Den functions as the company’s base of operations, where the team can gather intelligence, improve facilities, and develop bonds between Operators. Here you can find our review.
Solasta II Multiplayer Arrives September 10
Tactical Adventures confirmed that Solasta II’s first major Early Access update will launch on September 10, introducing online cooperative multiplayer alongside a new class and additional campaign content.
A host can begin a new adventure or open an existing save before inviting up to three other people. Hot Join will allow friends to enter sessions already in progress, while dialogue decisions can be settled through a party voting system. A ping tool is being added for communication both inside and outside combat.
Update 1 will also introduce the Warlock and its Time Keeper and Dreamer subclasses, 30 new World Events, additional hairstyles, tattoos, beards, and warpaint. Other additions include cloud saves, optional dice rolling during character creation, and the ability to disable spell-component requirements.
Shadow of the Road Secures a November Release
A most anticipated game of mine from Another Angle Games and Owlcat Games has set November 12, 2026, as the release date. I’m talking about the tactical RPG Shadow of the Road.
The tactical RPG takes place in an alternative version of nineteenth-century Japan, where the conflict between the Shogunate and the Emperor is complicated by supernatural creatures and advancing technology. Party members have their own motivations and relationships, with decisions potentially sending them along different personal paths.
Shadow of the Road will initially be available for PC through Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. A playable Steam demo is already available for anyone interested in testing its turn-based combat before launch and here you can find the latest trailer.
Final Fantasy Resonance Shows More of Its Combat and Endgame
Square Enix shared another substantial look at Final Fantasy Resonance, covering the Zoldaad Empire, Mysidia, additional characters, summons, and optional endgame challenges.
The game’s Visions are crystallized versions of heroes from across the Final Fantasy series. Equipping them gives the party access to additional abilities, with more skills unlocking as the relationship with each Vision develops. Staggering every enemy during the same turn can trigger a Resonance attack, while limited magicite resources are required to awaken and strengthen selected Visions.
Espers work differently. Carbuncle, Leviathan, Odin, Bahamut, and other summoned entities remain in battle for three turns before unleashing their signature attack.
Optional content will include Mighty Foes, high-difficulty secret dungeons, recurring battles against Gilgamesh, and an eventual confrontation with Ultima Weapon. Final Fantasy Resonance launches October 22 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Persona 4 Revival Gets a Proper Story Trailer
Atlus released the official story trailer for Persona 4 Revival, returning the focus to Inaba, the serial murder investigation, and the strange world connected to the Midnight Channel.
The footage was accompanied by a ten-minute presentation from producer Kazuhisa Wada, providing additional context for how the remake is approaching the original game’s story and characters.
Persona 4 Revival is scheduled for February 18, 2027, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It will also join Game Pass at launch.
A Few More Gamescom Stories Worth Mentioning
Sea of Remnants added an Xbox Series X|S version and narrowed its release window to early 2027. The free-to-play ocean RPG mixes turn-based combat with roguelite voyages in which potential crewmates, enemies, bosses, equipment, and enhancements change between expeditions. A closed beta is planned for December.
Mewgenics is expanding beyond PC on September 8. Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel’s turn-based cat-breeding roguelite is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Cassette Beasts 2002 was revealed for March 2027. Set in London and its distorted counterpart Nodnol, the sequel includes more than 250 creatures, over 57,000 possible fusion forms, twelve companions, and online multiplayer covering exploration, trading, and story battles.
Flamecraft, the digital adaptation of the dragon-filled board game, will launch September 17 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The strategy game supports solo play and groups of up to five Flamekeepers.
Amphibian made its debut at the Future Games Show. The story-driven RPG follows a group of frogs defending their homeland from invading toads during a devastating drought. Its campaign uses curated turn-based encounters without random battles or grinding and is planned for PC and consoles in 2028. Learn more about it
Wishseeker was announced for PC without a release date. The roguelite strategy RPG sends a four-character party through changing grid-based dungeons and supports both solo play and four-person online co-op. Multiplayer turns resolve simultaneously, reducing the amount of time spent waiting for teammates. Playtest registration is already open. Here is my overview of the game.
Indie Radar: Horror Cards, Robot Expeditions, and Hero Forge Miniatures
Gamescom’s smaller showcases delivered several projects that deserve attention even if they were overshadowed by the larger announcements, but don’t worry, I’ll show you what you need to know in detail.
INFERIUS received a new gameplay trailer showing its first-person exploration and turn-based Tarot battles. Its shifting interpretation of Hell contains nine sin-themed Dominions, each with separate environments, creatures, mechanics, and bosses. The horror deckbuilder is planned for PC in 2027. More details here.
Deck of Memories presents a gentler use of card mechanics. Mina returns to her grandfather’s lighthouse and enters miniature dioramas constructed from his fading memories, solving curated card encounters to restore missing parts of his past. It is coming to PC in 2027. Learn more about it
Frost Protocol opened its first Steam playtest on August 24. The current build contains a tutorial and two expedition maps, providing an early sample of its mixture of robot-led turn-based missions, resource recovery, and survival-oriented base management. Learn more about this XCOM-Like strategy game.
Wildmagic Frontier introduced its grid-based, deck-building tactical combat and confirmed a September 10 Kickstarter campaign. Hero Forge users will be able to import their existing digital miniatures as playable characters. The game is planned for Windows and browsers with solo play and online co-op for up to three people. More details.
Finally, the project previously known as From Hel to Asgard has been renamed Helcast. The Norse roguelite uses deckbuilding, merge puzzles, and physics-based weapon throws to create an unusual turn-based combat system. HYPER REAL and 2P Games have joined as publishers ahead of a planned PC release in the first quarter of 2027.
Chained Echoes Joins PlayStation Plus
PlayStation also revealed its September monthly games, with Chained Echoes representing the turn-based side of the lineup.
The PS4 version of the acclaimed JRPG will be available to PlayStation Plus members from September 1 through October 5, alongside Sniper Elite: Resistance, MLB The Show 26, and Wobbly Life.
These were the biggest news and stories from this final week of August 2026. Let me know what you think by reaching out on my social channels or joining the Reddit community, which is closing in on 9,000 members. Have a fantastic Sunday. Ciao
