{"id":41349,"date":"2026-08-07T12:53:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=41349"},"modified":"2026-08-07T12:53:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:53:03","slug":"upcoming-tactical-rpg-from-othercide-developers-set-for-september-release-playtest-currently-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=41349","title":{"rendered":"Upcoming Tactical RPG from Othercide Developers Set for September Release, Playtest Currently Available"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/upcoming-tactical-rpg-from-othercide-developers-set-for-september-release-playtest-currently-available.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/upcoming-tactical-rpg-from-othercide-developers-set-for-september-release-playtest-currently-available.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p>### Exploring Lightbulb Crew&#8217;s Ex Sanguis: A Tactical Roguelite Adventure<\/p>\n<p>Lightbulb Crew, known for their previous work on the deeply atmospheric tactics RPG Othercide, is set to introduce players to a new realm of strategic battle with their upcoming game, Ex Sanguis. Fans of Othercide can expect a continuation of the studio&#8217;s unique aesthetic and gameplay philosophy, blending psychological themes with tactical depth.<\/p>\n<p>#### Gameplay Mechanics and Features<\/p>\n<p>Ex Sanguis retains a familiar turn-based tactical framework that players experienced in Othercide but introduces new mechanics that add layers of strategy. Players command a squad of characters, navigating a beautifully grotesque battle environment. The game thrives on its initiative system, allowing for strategic maneuvers that let players act outside of their turn, enhancing the pace of combat. <\/p>\n<p>The dynamics of the battlefield include hazardous terrain elements like exploding blood blisters, which can be exploited for tactical advantages. This innovative feature encourages players to not only strategize their character movements but also consider the environmental interactions in combat. Characters can use abilities that push enemies into these dangerous zones, creating opportunities for creative tactical plays.<\/p>\n<p>#### Early Access and Demo Availability<\/p>\n<p>Scheduled for early access release on September 10th, Ex Sanguis aims to immerse players in its dark universe ahead of full launch. To give players a taste of this tactical experience, a demo is available on Steam, allowing them to explore the mechanics and narrative setup.<\/p>\n<p>#### Tactical Variety<\/p>\n<p>The game introduces various new abilities that can manipulate enemy positions, enhancing the tactical gameplay. A shove ability can launch enemies several squares across the battlefield, while a Magnetic Pulse ability allows players to manipulate enemy placements strategically. This manipulation can lead to devastating combo attacks, creating a unique flavor of tactical engagement compared to traditional tactics games like XCOM.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the character order bar at the top of the screen helps players master the flow of combat. Players can enhance their characters&#8217; actions by accelerating or slowing down their movements, integrating elements from other tactical games such as Into The Breach.<\/p>\n<p>#### Campaign Structure<\/p>\n<p>Ex Sanguis diverges from its predecessor&#8217;s structure by adopting a roguelite format. This modern configuration offers players choices between various paths as missions unfold, allowing for high-risk encounters or the opportunity to gather resources for fortifying their team. The development team emphasizes the importance of strategy in mission selection, as resource management becomes crucial in facing challenges ahead.<\/p>\n<p>#### The Narrative Aspect<\/p>\n<p>The story places players once again in the role of a maternal figure, resonating with the themes present in Othercide. The game explores the lore surrounding &#8220;the Sanguis of the Mater&#8221; and the birth of &#8220;Stillae,&#8221; elite warriors imbued with the last hope of the world. This narrative layer adds emotional depth to the tactical gameplay, as players are driven by their characters&#8217; struggles.<\/p>\n<p>#### Conclusion<\/p>\n<p>With its imminent early access release, Ex Sanguis is poised to captivate fans of tactical RPGs and newcomers alike. The blend of intense strategic mechanics, unique environmental interactions, and rich narrative elements promises an engaging experience. As players navigate through dark and surreal landscapes, they will be challenged to rethink their tactical approach and explore the depths of a beautifully crafted world. The anticipation builds as players prepare to dive into this artistic and brutal journey on September 10th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/upcoming-tactical-rpg-from-othercide-developers-set-for-september-release-playtest-currently-available.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/upcoming-tactical-rpg-from-othercide-developers-set-for-september-release-playtest-currently-available.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p>\nLightbulb Crew&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockpapershotgun.com\/games\/othercide\">Othercide<\/a> was a melancholy meatgrinder of an XCOM-style tactics RPG, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockpapershotgun.com\/othercide-is-a-tactical-rougelite-about-the-worlds-pushiest-mother\">featuring the world&#8217;s worst mum<\/a>. It saw you leading squads of sorrowful, blade and pistol-wielding clones into stark geographical projections of anguish. With the odds generally against you, the game put a huge emphasis on initiative, running order and acting outside your turn. Lightbulb&#8217;s new game Ex Sanguis looks an awful lot like Othercide, from the porcelain beauty of the characters to the grotesque and gloopy metaphysicality of the battlespace, and I couldn&#8217;t be happier.\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockpapershotgun.com\/the-makers-of-the-glorious-othercide-have-another-tactics-rpg-bloodbath-out-in-september-with-a-playtest-live-now\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41350,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}