Keeping up with the devlogs for MENACE is proving to be quite the challenge. This new tactical strategy game from the creators of Battle Brothers throws players into a sci-fi universe filled with planets to explore, XCOM-style base management, and deep tactical combat. Overhype Studios has been sharing a wealth of details on the game’s Steam page, breaking down how various mechanics will work in their latest project.
Today, we’re diving into how Suppression functions during tactical encounters, along with some key mechanics related to upgrading your ship—the TCRN Impetus.
All The Devlogs So Far:
- How the Strategy Layer works.
- New details about the combat system.
- Information on weapons and their associated skills.
- Squad Leaders, Stats, Supplies, and Equipment.
The Suppression System
Dev Diary #7 takes a deep dive into Suppression in MENACE, a look at how real-world small-unit tactics translate into gameplay mechanics. Suppression in combat isn’t just about dealing damage—it’s about limiting the enemy’s ability to act, which is modeled through a progressive system that degrades a unit’s effectiveness. The game embraces the classic Find, Fix, Flank, and Finish doctrine, forcing players to use suppressive fire to pin enemies down before moving in for the kill.
The suppression system operates on three stages: Unaffected, Suppressed, and Pinned Down, each with escalating consequences. A suppressed unit is forced to deploy, reducing mobility but slightly increasing defense, while a pinned unit is entirely immobilized with a drastically reduced view range. The game also accounts for various tactical elements, such as cover, armor, and discipline stats, which influence how easily a unit is suppressed. Interestingly, suppression also affects neighboring tiles, adding a layer of depth to battlefield positioning.
Countering suppression is just as important as using it effectively. Players can mitigate its impact through concealment tactics like smoke grenades, highly mobile vehicles, or even combat drugs to instantly recover from suppression effects. Additionally, off-map abilities, such as airstrikes and orbital bombardments, provide a way to disrupt suppressive enemy forces. These mechanics make suppression not just a combat feature but a key strategic tool that skilled players can manipulate to gain the upper hand in battle.
The TCRN Impetus And OCIs
With Dev Diary #8, we’re diving into Operational Capability Improvements (OCIs) and the powerful off-map abilities that come with them. At the heart of MENACE is the TCRN Impetus, the player’s strike cruiser, which acts as a mobile base for resting, refitting, and upgrading troops. Throughout the game, players can customize the Impetus with various OCIs, shaping their playstyle and tactical options.
The OCI system allows players to enhance their ship in three key areas—Armament, Electronics, and Hull, each with dedicated upgrade slots. With around 50 planned OCIs (and more coming in Early Access), there’s near-limitless build variety. Players unlock OCIs by earning trust with in-game factions, while installations require components, a resource earned by completing operations. These upgrades provide both passive effects (e.g., faster squad healing, better intel) and active abilities, known as off-map abilities, which can be used directly in combat.
Off-map abilities add a powerful strategic layer, offering options like dropship strafing runs, smoke screens, supply drops, and air-dropped mines. These abilities typically have a delay, requiring careful planning—such as suppressing enemies so they can’t escape an incoming strike. With the ability to stack OCIs for multiple uses, players can tailor their strike cruiser to support their ground forces in unique ways, making each campaign feel distinct. The flexibility and depth of OCIs ensure that no two players will approach the war against the MENACE in exactly the same way.
MENACE still doesn’t have a precise release date but is expected to be released in early access during Q3 2025 on PC via Steam.
