The tactical RPG genre just gained a new interstellar frontier. Menace, developed by the team behind Battle Brothers, shifts from medieval mercenary bands to high-stakes space warfare, where entire battalions move in turn-based combat. Fans of deep strategy games now have a clear launch window—early access arrives February 5, with a full release expected after a year of iterative development.
Unlike its ground-based predecessor, Menace* scales up dramatically. Instead of commanding individual soldiers, players issue orders to entire strike cruisers and space battalions. The stakes remain brutally high, though the logistics of deployment are now measured in light-years rather than meters.
The Global Launch: When Can You Jump In?
Early access for Menace goes live at 6 AM PST on February 5, meaning early adopters on the West Coast will need to set an alarm. For the rest of the world, launch times vary
- New York: 9 AM EST
- London: 2 PM GMT
- Berlin: 3 PM CET
- New Delhi: IST
- Tokyo: 11 PM JST
- Sydney: 1 AM AEDT (February 6)
- Auckland: 3 AM NZDT (February 6)
There’s no preloading or pre-purchase option, so players must download the full client at launch. However, the demo—clocking in at just 7 GB—suggests the game won’t demand excessive storage space, even in early access.
A New Kind of Tactical Depth
Menace expands the Battle Brothers* formula by introducing a galaxy-spanning battlefield. While the core mechanics of positioning, morale, and unit specialization remain, the scope shifts entirely. Players will need to strategize not just for individual engagements but for entire campaigns across star systems, where resource management and fleet composition become critical.
The game’s early access phase is designed as a testing ground, with developers promising significant updates over the coming year. For fans of tactical RPGs, this is a rare opportunity to shape the evolution of a game before its full release.
No pricing details have been confirmed, but given the scale of the project and the team’s track record, expect a premium experience—one that rewards patience with a fully realized sci-fi tactical masterpiece.
