Just hours after launching its Kickstarter campaign, Prelude: Dark Pain, a brand-new tactical RPG from Spanish indie studio QUICKFIREGAMES, crushed its funding goal—raising over €40,000 in under 15 hours. After spending time with the playable demo, I can confidently say that this is one to watch.
I might come off as obsessive—or like a know-it-all—but I’ve been tracking Prelude for a while now, ever since I stumbled upon it on Steam. Until a few days ago, updates were scarce. Then came a fresh trailer, character reveals, and even a playable build that the developers let me try out. Based on that demo—featuring a cinematic combat sequence aboard a moving carriage and a gripping boss fight—I can say this title is shaping up to be something special.
The game takes place in the dark fantasy world of Statera, where you play as Soren, a blacksmith whose family is slaughtered by the Ashen Crusade, an oppressive regime obsessed with witch hunts. The narrative leans into mature themes and promises branching storylines shaped by player choice.
The demo drops you straight into the action as Soren, along with a few other playable characters—including the archetypal brute-force giant, his son, and an archer. The combat system stands out with its team-based turn structure, rather than individual turns, where positioning is critical—flanking enemies from the sides or back grants bonus damage.
The skill system is a highlight, too. For instance, the hulking giant can leap into the heart of enemy lines to immediately engage, while another ability lets you deploy a turret that auto-fires each turn. Importantly, using a skill doesn’t end your turn—you can spend skill points (which recharge slightly each round), then move and follow up with a basic attack to close out the turn.
Combat in the demo felt engaging and showed real potential for layered strategies, especially when skills are used thoughtfully. I’m hoping to dive deeper soon to see just how much tactical depth the full game can offer.
Another element I’m especially excited to explore, which the demo did not show, is the management layer. Prelude features a base-building system—a refuge or hub, if you will—where you can care for and manage up to 20 playable characters. You’ll be able to send them out on various missions to gather resources, which can then be used to craft items and new gear. It’s the kind of feature I love seeing in this genre—a real strategy layer outside of combat.
Visually and sonically, the game is top-tier. The cutscenes, reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon in style, are particularly striking, and the battle environments are rich with atmosphere. Sound design is equally impressive—and it should be, with a soundtrack composed by Kumi Tanioka, best known for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
If QUICKFIREGAMES delivers on what this demo promises, Prelude: Dark Pain could be a must-play for fans of mature, tactical RPGs, so keep your eyes on this one. Its Kickstarter campaign surpassed its €40,000 goal in under 15 hours, which says a lot about the genuineness of the title. Early Access is planned for 2026, with a full release expected in 2027 on PC via Steam and consoles, including the Nintendo Switch.
