I’m arriving a bit late compared to the IGN gameplay trailer of this promising tactical RPG, very much in the XCOM mold, set in an urban Africa, but I’ve gathered all the information currently available.
Warhounds is an upcoming tactical, turn-based strategy game developed by Everplay DMCC and published by Brightika. Set to release in 2026, the game promises realism, squad-based tactics, and deep strategic gameplay without the artificial randomness often associated with the genre.
At its core, Warhounds revolves around commanding a small but deadly team of mercenaries in a near-future African conflict zone.
The world has been reshaped by corporate warfare, privatized armies, and a fragile balance between local governments and foreign powers. Players take on the role of a commander managing a private military company known as the Warhounds, taking contracts, building relationships with factions, and making choices that influence the course of a regional war.
Unlike many tactical games that rely on dice rolls or hidden probability systems, Warhounds takes pride in removing what it calls “bogus randomness.” Every bullet has a trajectory, every piece of cover can be destroyed, and the line of sight is determined by realistic physics.
Soldiers have defined classes such as Assault, Sniper, Specialist, Machine Gunner, and Grenadier, each bringing unique equipment and battlefield roles. The developers have emphasized that no single tactic dominates.
Players must adapt constantly, using suppression, overwatch, drones, and camouflage to outmaneuver enemies. Cover and visibility are dynamic: smoke grenades obscure sight lines, explosions reshape the environment, and verticality offers both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
The best part is that Warhounds integrates a detailed management layer that adds depth to its tactical gameplay. Between missions, players return to their base, a hub for recruitment, equipment upgrades, medical recovery, and research.
Choices made here ripple through the campaign: hiring certain specialists might anger rival factions, taking one contract could block access to another, and every mission completed (or failed) affects how different groups perceive your company.
This blend of military management and tactical action gives Warhounds a strong identity, combining the resource balancing of XCOM with the narrative consequence system of Jagged Alliance 3.
Warhounds grounds itself in a politically charged and realistic near-future Africa. The developers aim to portray a region shaped by technology, privatization, and the lingering scars of global conflict.
The mission variety reflects this vision: urban raids, jungle ambushes, desert fortifications, and covert infiltration operations each demand different strategies. Some missions can stretch from 25 to 40 minutes, encouraging methodical, deliberate play while still offering a quick restart for those who prefer faster pacing.
Customization is another major pillar of Warhounds’ appeal. Players can tailor their operators’ weapons, armor, and gadgets to suit their preferred combat style.
Whether you prefer a stealth-focused team using suppressed weapons and drones for recon or a brute-force approach with heavy gunners and explosives, the game allows a wide range of tactical expression. Even cosmetic personalization plays a role, with unique armor patterns, insignias, and squad emblems helping players feel ownership over their mercenary company.
The developers have also launched a Warhounds Playtest version on Steam, first available in late 2025, allowing early testers to experience and provide feedback on its core systems. There’s no release date, but it should be in 2026 on PC via Steam. Below is the official gameplay trailer.
