It’s definitely one of the most intriguing titles out there right now, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and to my great surprise, the demo has just dropped.
I’m talking about Bloodgrounds, a title I’ve mentioned countless times in my articles. Officially announced today by Daedalic Entertainment and Croatian studio Exordium Games, Bloodgrounds is coming to PC via Steam in 2025, and you can finally try the free demo available.
In Bloodgrounds, you take on the role of a former slave-turned-gladiator-patron in a dark fantasy city ruled by a cruel Emperor. Every battle plays out on a tactical grid where smart use of terrain, traps, and abilities matters, but what raises the stakes is its permadeath system. If one of your fighters falls, they’re gone for good, gear and all.
You’re managing a growing team of physical, ranged, and magical warriors, each with their own strengths, traumas, and risk factors. Between matches, you’re training fighters, customizing their builds, and balancing your rise to power with the bloodlust of the arena’s crowd. You can even sabotage rival teams before fights begin, assuming you know the right people in the underworld.
Visually, it’s a gritty mix of pixel art and gore, with heavy Darkest Dungeon and Battle Brothers vibes. The city of Marevento is full of political schemes and tournament drama, and the path to the Emperor won’t be clean or fair.
I’d recommend trying the demo on Steam. It’s already promising, and I’m curious to see how it grows. Below are more details and a new trailer.
About This Demo
Lead your team of Gladiators in turn-based arena battles, recruiting, training, and sometimes sacrificing them for glory. But remember, your Gladiators are mortal – If they fall in battle, they are lost forever… though their legacy will live on.
As a noble heir, you’ll manage your city by unlocking, constructing, and upgrading buildings that provide new services and mechanics to aid you on your bloody quest for vengeance.
- Experience the first 2,5 – 4 hours of Bloodgrounds
- Access the entire first Age
- Master the first arena and get an initial peek of what awaits you in the second Age
- 6 out of 9 gladiator classes are available
- Unlock up to 4 out of 7 abilities per class
- Max. level of the gladiators: 5 out of 15 in the full game
- 7 out of 13 base buildings and their first out of 4 upgrades
- Collect a varity of common, rare and epic items (legendary items will be available in the full game)
- 20 out of 100 Achievements
You fought tooth and nail for survival, driven by a burning hatred and a thirst for justice. Now, as a wealthy patron and a gladiator trainer, you plot your revenge against the tyrannical Emperor who stole your freedom and murdered your father. But the path to redemption is fraught with peril, and you must navigate a treacherous world filled with deception and danger.
Recruit new allies and expand your gladiator team to climb the ranks of the brutal tournaments. Each victory brings you closer to the grand Capitol, where your ultimate target – the Emperor, lost in his madness – awaits on his throne.
Before each battle, assemble a team of gladiators from various classes: physical, ranged, or magical. Will you pay gold, duel them, or show mercy in the arena to recruit them?
Level them up, increase their stats, and learn new abilities to ensure they’re battle-ready. Don’t forget to address any negative statuses or traumas, and equip them with shiny new weapons, armor, and consumables.
Use powerful Deity abilities to aid your Gladiators in battle, or make a shady deal with a local crime lord to sabotage your enemies before the battle even begins.
Combat unfolds in turn-based battles on a grid, where units act in order of initiative. Strategically move your gladiators, attack, and position them to outsmart and outmaneuver your opponents.
Use your action points wisely – unleash powerful weapon or class abilities, make use of items like potions and magical scrolls, or set traps on the ground to catch enemies off guard.
Win the favor of the audience by fulfilling their bloodthirsty wishes and reap rewards after each battle. But beware – permadeath is on. If a gladiator falls, they and their equipment are lost forever, adding high stakes to every decision.
You’ve inherited an estate overlooking the desolate coastal city of Marevento, and the city’s future now rests in your hands.
Between battles, use your hard-earned gold to build and upgrade city buildings, unlocking new tools and services to aid you in your quest for vengeance. From the infirmary, where your gladiators can recover, to the bustling market for trading items, and even a grand monument to honor fallen gladiators.
Defeat each region’s Arena Champion to advance the age and access powerful new buildings and items.
Are you ready to rise to the challenge and carve your name into history?
