Players Like...

❤ Navigating the Open World

Players freely traverse a procedurally-generated medieval fantasy world, moving their mercenary company between towns, ruins, and other points of interest. The day-night cycle affects combat, so players must balance speed to reach destinations versus conserving supplies and resting their men. Carefully selecting contracts and destinations is crucial to the game's strategy.

❤ Unforgiving Tactical Combat

When the company engages enemies, the game shifts to a turn-based, hex-based battlefield. Players must position their troops, utilize diverse weapons and abilities, and react to the enemy's tactics. Combat is brutally difficult, with dead mercenaries staying dead and injuries persisting. Mastering the nuanced tactical systems is essential to success.

❤ Building a Specialized Mercenary Company

Players recruit a ragtag band of mercenaries, each with unique backgrounds, traits, and skills. As the company grows, players outfit them with appropriate gear and level them up, unlocking powerful class-like specializations and perks. Carefully managing the company's composition, equipment, and development is key to overcoming challenges.

❤ Adaptable Tactics Against Diverse Foes

Enemies range from nimble bandits to heavily armored nobles, each with distinct equipment, abilities, and AI behaviors. Players must learn to tailor their tactics - using spears against swift enemies, hammers against armor, etc. - to counter the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent type. This depth rewards players who invest time to understand the game's combatants.

❤ Consequences of Failure

Battle Brothers features a punishing permadeath system - when a mercenary falls, they are gone for good, along with their specialized gear and levels. This high-stakes atmosphere makes every combat feel critical, as players must weigh the risks and rewards of engagements. The weight of losing valued veterans is a major part of the game's challenge and appeal.