Right after covering Star Wars for the exclusive preview, I find myself sharing news about yet another XCOM-like strategy RPG that just launched on PC.
Warhounds has officially entered the field. Developed by Everplay DMCC and published by Brightika, the single-player turn-based tactics game launched in version 1.0 for Windows PC on August 11, 2026. Its arrival follows three years of development and a last-minute milestone of 100,000 Steam wishlists. A 15% introductory discount is available through August 25, reducing the U.S. price from $34.99 to $29.74.
Set in an alternate version of Africa beyond 2035, the story-driven campaign places players in command of an elite mercenary organization caught between several competing factions. Each completed contract contributes to the wider conflict, while decisions made away from the battlefield can change the missions, allies, weapons, and resources available later in the campaign.
Combat takes its main cues from XCOM and Jagged Alliance, although Warhounds attempts to reduce the frustration associated with traditional percentage-based hit systems. Attacks are shaped by distance, line of fire, elevation, weapon choice, and the physical obstacles separating a shooter from the target. Point-blank attacks are not supposed to miss because of an unfavorable roll, placing greater emphasis on positioning and battlefield awareness.
Destructible cover, vertical environments, flanking opportunities, and cone-based overwatch expand the tactical options available during each encounter.
Battles are deliberately lethal, so exposing a mercenary or selecting the wrong equipment can quickly turn a manageable operation into an evacuation. Individual missions are designed to take approximately 25 to 40 minutes, while adjustable difficulty settings allow players to choose between a punishing tactical experience and a more forgiving campaign.
Squads can combine five combat classes: Assault, Specialist, Sniper, Machine Gunner, and Grenadier. Their loadouts can include conventional firearms alongside drones, combat scanners, smoke grenades, optical camouflage, powered exoskeletons, and other advanced equipment.
Mercenaries can also be treated and extracted when an operation goes wrong, giving commanders reasons to preserve experienced operatives.
The strategic layer unfolds aboard a mobile headquarters. Between deployments, players recruit new fighters, improve the base, purchase equipment, manage finances and supplies, treat injured squad members, gather intelligence, and carry out covert assignments. Relationships with allied factions also have practical consequences, potentially changing which contracts, weapons, and support options become available.
Warhounds is the international version of the previously released Sparta 2035. According to the developers, characters and dialogue have been adapted for a worldwide audience, with additional changes made to parts of the story.
The 1.0 edition also includes professional English voice acting, expanded character customization, upgraded lighting, and performance improvements.
The game is available on PC via Steam. At launch, the game supports full English audio, while German, French, Spanish, and Polish are available for the interface and subtitles. Everplay has also committed to continuing work on fixes and general improvements after release. Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 editions are planned following the required certification processes, although their release dates have not yet been announced. Below, I share the launch trailer.
