I’ve rounded up a batch of RPGs built around that classic, fan-favorite tactical combat system, all slated for release across 2026, though a few might land even later than that. Either way, these are 20 of the tactical RPGs I’m personally most excited about right now. I did have to leave out quite a few others, but I’ll be covering those in a follow-up article soon.
There’s honestly a ton of interesting stuff here, and there’s a good chance several of these titles will be completely new to you. With that said, here are 20 tactical RPGs you definitely don’t want to miss. Let me know what you think over on my new Reddit channel.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
- Developer: Owlcat Games
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
With its sweeping story, brilliant tactical combat, and deep knowledge of the Warhammer 40,000 lore, Owlcat’s previous title Rogue Trader proved to be an all-time great among CRPGs. Now they’re looking to do it again with Dark Heresy, another outing to the 41st millennium that’s smaller in scope but no less impressive in terms of story and gameplay.
This time, you’ll be a member of the Inquisition, rooting out daemonic infestations and traitorous conspiracies with the help of your loyal acolytes. Even if you don’t know much about Warhammer, we expect this to be another great title from Owlcat well worth your time.
Fight Life: Vanguard
- Developer: StartImpulse, Two Cakes Studio
- Release Date: 10 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows, with a later PlayStation release TBA.
- Steam Page
Fight Life: Vanguard puts you in command of a small band of mercenaries, charged by a forgotten god with saving the world from all-consuming darkness – no pressure.
While the game certainly has the gritty-fantasy feel, and rendered in some fantastic pixel art at that, it’s a bit more hopeful than Battle Brothers or Wartales. Your band of misfits, given time, will become legendary heroes worthy of the destiny that’s been thrust upon them… if they can survive the dangers of the road.
Fight Life: Vanguard has been in Early Access for some time now, and launches into 1.0 on 10 April, It’s the best possible time to dive in and see how this exciting project turned out!
Cosmos Point
- Developer: Anatoliy Sidorov
- Release Date: 21 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Cosmos Point mixes board game visuals and dangerous tactical combat with tight inventory management and extraction mechanics.
Your job is to salvage as much as you can from each combat zone, but limited inventory space means you’ll have to choose what to take and what to leave behind – not to mention tracking the ammo and supplies you’ll need just to stay alive. The more you get out with, the more upgrades for your base you’ll be able to afford, hopefully making later missions that much smoother.
There’s a free demo available for Cosmos Point on Steam right now, and the full game launches on 21 April.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
- Developer: Intelligent Systems
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Switch 2
- eShop Page
The Fire Emblem renaissance continues this year with Fortune’s Weave, believed to be a prequel to the beloved Three Houses.
This time, the action is centered around a gladiatorial tournament that will no doubt spill over into a global war, a battle against an ancient entity, or possibly both. However the story goes, the visuals that we’ve seen so far look absolutely stunning, and we’re excited to meet the new cast of characters.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave doesn’t have a firm release date yet, but it is a Switch 2 exclusive, so if you’re hoping to play in the Heroic Games you’ll need to get your hands on Nintendo’s latest console.
Belatoris
- Developer: Adrian Labudzki
- Release Date: Q2 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
This solo project offers classic open-world gameplay, letting you lead your legion to do whatever you like. You can conquer and develop villages, engage in trade, wage wars, or just go fishing. There’s lots of exploration and danger in the game’s world of monsters, magic, and alchemy!
Belatoris is currently expected to release in Q2 of 2026, so it should launch in the coming months. Hopefully we’ll see a demo in that time as well; if you enjoy mercenary sims like Wartales you’ll want to keep an eye on this one.
Vultures: Scavengers of Death
- Developer: Team Vultures
- Release Date: 28 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Whether you have fond memories of survival horror classics like Resident Evil or just like watching streamers play them now, you won’t want to miss Vultures: Scavengers of Death. This homage to the PS1 era turns the genre’s tense gameplay into a turn-based tactical RPG where every shot counts.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of nostalgia, you don’t have long to wait. Vultures launches on 28 April, and there’s a free demo available on Steam now.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
- Developer: Unfrozen
- Release Date: 30 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
It’s finally happening. Unfrozen’s much-anticipated revival of Heroes of Might and Magic enters Early Access at the end of this month, and everything we’ve seen looks like a return to form. With six factions, gorgeous visuals, and classic gameplay with a modern touch, it’s looking like Olden Era could be everything we were hoping it would be.
If you can’t wait, check out the demo that’s available now. Remember that this is still just the Early Access launch, with the full release expected in about a year, but for fans who thought the series was effectively dead 30 April is a reason to celebrate.
Ex Sanguis
- Developer: Lightbulb Crew
- Release Date: 21 May, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Ex Sanguis is Lightbulb Crew‘s spiritual sequel to their strange, stylized Othercide. It’s got the same stark visuals, smart gameplay, and high-concept narrative, with a new story and polish to apply what the team learned from Othercide.
If you like planning and executing intricate combos in battles that place a heavy emphasis on skill, be sure to check Ex Sanguis out.
Ex Sanguis enters Early Access on 21 May, with their current timeline aiming for a 1.0 launch around the end of 2026. That may change, of course, but in the meantime there’s always time to check out Othercide if you haven’t already!
Mars Tactics
- Developer: Takibi Games
- Release Date: May 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
This sci-fi strategy game has come a long way since it was first announced; with launch looming next month, it looks great and we can’t wait to take it for a spin. In a war between oppressive Capital and the Labor uprising, you’ll pick a side and develop your base as you send soldiers on missions across the red planet, waging war in fully-destructible environments.
The asymmetric campaigns offer very different playstyles, so there will be plenty of reason to come back and play both sides of the war. The release date hasn’t been officially nailed down, but Mars Tactics should land sometime in May.
Ascenders: Beyond the Peak
- Developer: Ludogram
- Release Date: Q3 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
If you’re afraid of heights, tactical roguelike Ascenders might feel like a horror game. Your enemy is gravity and the environment as you command a team of climbers working their way up a near-vertical mountain face in search of ancient artifacts.
You’ll have to swing, leap, and take cover from falling rocks to keep everyone alive – it’s a long way down.
Ascenders is a very cool idea for a roguelike, and its occult overtones give it lots of extra flair. If you’re ready to make some tough, life-or-death decisions, keep an eye out for its launch sometime this summer.
STAR WARS Zero Company
- Developer: Bit Reactor
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
Zero Company is an XCOM-like in the Star Wars universe, which is frankly all we need to hear. Set near the end of the Clone Wars, it puts you in command of an elite task force composed of the best of the best from across the galaxy. We know Star Wars games can be very hit-or-miss, but if Zero Company is a hit it will be a big one for strategy fans.
There’s no release date set for the game just yet, but hopefully we’ll be able to start tossing thermal detonators and mowing down battle droids by the end of the year.
Pathbreakers: Roaming Blades
- Developer: 6 Eyes Studio
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Steam Page
If you liked The Iron Oath, you’ll definitely want to take a look at Pathbreakers. This mercenary sim features an open world ripe for exploration, trade, and battle, and a new map each campaign means there’s always a new adventure waiting. Best of all, the pixel-art battles look fantastic, bringing your company of sellswords to life.
There’s a lot to look forward to in Pathbreakers, but there isn’t an official release date at this time. It’s on track to launch sometime in 2026, though, so as long as there are no delays it will be here before you know it!
Tattered Banners
- Developer: CookieByte Entertainment
- Release Date: Q4 2026
- Platform: Windows, Linux
- Steam Page
If you prefer your mercenary gameplay a bit darker, Tattered Banners gives you a Game of Thrones-style world full of violence and intrigue to roam around in.
The politics of nobles and the fortunes of cities have permanent effects on the map – like Battle Brothers but more pronounced – so your actions may have indirect impact on world events based on who you decide to work for!
Tattered Banners is in the playtesting phase, and you can request access via their Steam page. The game itself is expected to launch toward the end of the year, so sharpen your swords and fill your quivers!
Never’s End
- Developer: Hypersect
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation
- Steam Page
Lots of tactical games boast environmental interaction, but Never’s End takes a clever approach in a world being devoured.
Using your spirit powers, you can change the temperature, wind, and even density of solids to create effects on the battlefield. Fire, floods, and fog are just some of the Dwarf Fortress-like ways you can stand against the darkness in this clever title.
Never’s End has a demo available now, and is expected to launch later this year. If you’re a fan of offbeat TRPGs like Phantom Brave, this is an indie game well worth a look.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II
- Developer: Bulwark Studios
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Exbox
- Steam Page
Not only do 40k fans have Dark Heresy to look forward to, but there’s also the sequel to the excellent tactical battler Mechanicus as well.
Like its predecessor, Mechanicus II will pit the Tech-Priests of Mars against the forces of the Necrons… but this time, you’ll be able to take command of either side! That’s right, the Necrons get their own campaign, with unique units and tech.
Given how much fun the first game was, there’s a lot to look forward to when Mechanicus II drops later this year. In the meantime, the original Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is 88% off on Steam until 16 April!
Space Scum
- Developer: Sole Survivor Games
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
There are a lot of mercenary sims on this list, and they all trace back to Battle Brothers. Space Scum is perhaps the closest to the source material in that regard, with one major change; rather than orcs and skeletons, it has you jetting off to distant planets to fight robots, aliens, and other horrors of the galaxy!
If, like us, you were sold at the words “Battle Brothers in space,” you can try the demo on Steam. There’s no release date yet, but we expect to see this exciting game by the end of 2026.
Dungeon Settlers
- Developer: CanOpener
- Release Date: Q3 2026
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Steam Page
Dungeon Settlers, meanwhile, takes the opposite course, taking the gameplay of sci-fi favorite RimWorld and transporting it to a fantasy setting.
As you lead your expedition, you’ll not only have to contend with your settlers’ needs but also command them in real-time with pause battles against whatever monsters want to eat them on a given day.
Dungeon Settlers is expected to launch sometime this summer, but you can request access to the playtest via their Steam page if you’d like to try it early.
Shadow of the Road
- Developer: Another Angle Games
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Thanks to titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Rogue Trader, we’re in a golden age of CRPGs. Shadow of the Road sets itself apart from the standard medieval fantasy setting, imagining instead a steampunk Meiji Japan to explore.
With its immersive story, memorable characters, and, of course, thrilling tactical combat, this tale of the twilight of the samurai will be one to remember.
There’s no set date for Shadow of the Road, but there is a free demo available to try. Give it a whirl, and if you like what you see be sure to follow and Wishlist it so you don’t miss the release!
Abyss Rebel
- Developer: DRock Games
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
We’ve pointed out before that Abyss Rebel stands poised to be one of 2026’s sleeper hits where tactical RPGs are concerned, and it’s looking even cooler by the day.
In this party-based RPG, you’ll lead a small squad to explore the universe’s most dangerous world. Loot, combos, and, in emergencies, a giant mech are your biggest assets against the creatures of the deep. Keep an eye on this one – we certainly will.
Abyss Rebel doesn’t have a release date yet, just a plan for sometime in 2026. You won’t want to miss this one, so be sure to Wishlist it if you haven’t already.
Shardpunk 2
- Developer: Clockwork Pile
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Finally, we have the sequel to the wonderfully tense Shardpunk, a game that asks, “what if Vermintide was turn-based?” Commanding your band of survivors, you’ll have to stay one step ahead of the encroaching horde as you make your way to safety.
The rats have only gotten more powerful since the last game, and you’ll need to take risks to scavenge enough gear to stay on top of the curve in each run.
The playtest for Shardpunk 2 is in progress, and can be joined from the Steam page. The game is expected to launch later this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the original game goes on sale at some point between now and then.
