Info about MENACE:

Official game description:
Command a strike force of marines, mercenaries, and criminals in a distant system, cut off from the Core Worlds. At the lawless frontier, the Wayback system is controlled by pirate warlords, questionable corporations, and fractured planetary governments who struggle for a new order. Though you initially lead your strike force of marines from aboard the strike cruiser TCRN Impetus, you'll quickly need to unite the disparate locals under your leadership to defeat an unknown threat. Fielding tanks, walkers, and infantry squads with a massive selection of equipment to choose from, you’ll train your troops, plan out operations, and engage in deadly tactical battles.
The developers of Battle Brothers take us to the far future in MENACE – a turn-based tactical RPG set in an isolated system where a strange new threat has begun to emerge.
Your Republic Marine Corps strike force has made its way over to bring the frontier back into the fold, but what was supposed to be a simple pacification mission revealed a threat that puts the entire system at risk…
*   Your approach is entirely yours to determine – as distress calls roll in, calling you from planet to planet, you can decide which to respond to, what resources to employ, and when to engage based on your readiness levels. Your choices will determine how the local factions feel about your presence, with a direct impact on your relations with them and what favors they may be willing to do for you. Will you prioritize relations with criminal elements that specialize in gathering intel, hacking enemy equipment, and securing the best deals from local dealers? Or will you ignore them and focus on the recovery and repair teams that keep your vehicles operational while supplying you with powerful advanced tech?
*   With all communications cut off, you're at the top of the chain of command, and your team of marines, mercenaries, and criminals turn to you for answers. Any single operation is not limited to one battlefield, instead taking you on branching paths of multiple missions each, asking you to engage in a series of battles across entire worlds. Make strategic decisions as you progress through an operation, choosing between the missions available to you – will you first take out the enemy air defenses that keep you from landing tanks? Or will you press directly into the enemy to rescue a group of hostages and gain the trust of the locals? Proceed mission by mission to complete the operation, and ultimately, further your grand campaign, but beware – every decision has serious consequences, not just for the operation at hand, but the entire system itself.
*   The strike cruiser TCRN Impetus acts as your base of operations, not only ferrying you between missions, but providing both orbital support and a place for much needed R&R. Invest in upgrading and customizing your mobile HQ to best synergize with your approach on the battlefield, seeking out opportunities among local allies to gain the upper hand for the task ahead of you.
*   Without access to your standard issue naval arsenal, you'll have to rely on local black market dealers and the spoils of war to equip your squads. From the jury-rigged war machines of the pirate factions to the refined, high-end arms of the local mercenaries, each engagement isn't just an opportunity to bring the fractured system under control, but to acquire new equipment to help accomplish your mission.
The threat of death is real as you find yourself pit against numerically, and at times technologically, superior enemy forces. Large engagements across diverse battlefields are subject to the effects of weather conditions across a multitude of biomes, and human foes are the least of your concern. In the recesses of the system, something alien has taken hold, and its methods are unpredictable and unrelenting.
*   Battles in MENACE are deadly affairs – under the hail of bullets, plasma bolts, and missile fire, you will face off against enemies that are well prepared, and ruthless. Expect to permanently lose squad leaders and their squads, and prepare to adapt to constantly evolving situations on the battlefield. Pacifying an entire system doesn’t come without a few risks, and superior tactical prowess will determine the victor.
*   Use flanking maneuvers to make your way around cover, or use heavy ordnance to flush enemies out from their firing positions. Rush from cover to cover as you plot pincer attacks, opening fire to suppress enemy squads and pin them in place while working to destroy cover they might run to. A tactical approach is essential to coming out on top but remember to stay on your toes – though you can plan around intel gathered for mission briefings, plans never survive first contact with the enemy.
*   Keep an eye on your weapons' efficient ranges, their damage over distance, and whether they're best used against heavily or lightly armored enemies. Even beyond accurate ranges, every round fired causes some degree of suppression to the squad it lands next to – whether they were the intended target or not, and whether friend or foe. With heavy fire more likely to pin an enemy down than small arms, you’ll be able to adapt based on the tools at your disposal, but make sure to adjust your approach as needed. Study the enemy to assess if you should be sniping from a distance or aggressively closing the gap under the cover of suppressing fire.
*   Arrive on the battlefield with a variety of vehicles - from troop carriers to MLRS to jury-rigged pickup trucks and more, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and a variety of weapons systems to choose from. The firepower of a lumbering tank is immense, but the nimble walker is able to respond to fast-moving threats in an instant, rotating freely and quickly. Designated pilots are able to bring these vehicles to the battlefield, albeit at a high cost. Will you opt to bring in self-propelled artillery you’ve commandeered from the mercenaries at the cost of better equipment for your infantry? You might lose an entire squad, but the extra firepower might just be what secures your victory.
*   Use limited supplies to kit your squads out before each mission and ensure you're equipped for the task ahead. Infantry squads can swap their armor to strike a balance between protection and utility with additional accessory slots, where accessories range from drones to grenades to target designators. Each squad can be equipped from a wide selection of weapons with different advantages and disadvantages, as well as particularly powerful specialist weapons – everything from flamethrowers to sniper rifles to EMP cannons.
Pike is the model marine – loyal to the Republic, and a professional soldier, unwavering in the face of adversity. Rewa suffers from the trauma of past scars, a violent rage constantly boiling beneath the surface. Lim owes Pike for saving his home colony, and distrusts non-Marines – but he'll have to learn to meet them in the middle as the going gets rough. Every squad leader in MENACE has a history and personality, and as their commander, it's up to you to navigate the trouble that can bring.
*   From the marines you flew in with to the locals you need to recruit, each squad leader carries their own expectations and aspirations. Their accomplishments and failures on the battlefield will influence their leadership – a mission with multiple confirmed kills might help bolster morale for the following engagements, but a squad leader that sees their entire team eliminated might perform worse for some time as they regain composure. Will you take on the liability of an underperforming squad just because you need the numbers, or will you put them on leave until they recover, potentially jeopardizing the current operation entirely?
*   Squad leaders earn promotions and improve over time, giving you the option to customize them to your liking and improve their squad’s performance. Keep your squad leaders alive and choose perks from varied promotion trees, acquiring additional active and passive abilities to use against the enemy.
*   Each playthrough features a selection of characters from a massive pool – learn how individual backstories are tied together and prepare to navigate the unique combinations of each run. Stories unfold in unexpected ways as your squad leaders push from engagement to engagement. Watch them crumble under pressure from a cataclysmic threat, and do your best to train them for the fight against the MENACE.
With procedurally generated multi-mission operations and battle maps, alongside a big selection of characters and countless equipment options, every run of MENACE plays different from the last. Find yourself face to face with a seemingly insurmountable challenge that takes on multiple forms across playthroughs, and put your strategic and tactical prowess to the test in new ways each time.

Release date: Feb 5, 2026

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Tactical Combat, Squad Management, Character Progression, Procedural Generation, Faction System, Resource Management, Multiple Endings

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 75; verdict: Aggressive; summary: The game exhibits several predatory monetization practices, including the use of paid Gacha mechanics, overpriced items, and potential pay-to-win DLCs. These practices can significantly impact the user experience and are seen as aggressive monetization strategies.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues related to the game's reliance on external data management tools, lack of in-game instructional data, complex mechanics without adequate guidance, and insufficient tutorials. These issues are causing frustration and detracting from the overall user experience.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key issues impacting the Steam Deck experience. The most significant problems include the lack of UI scaling and small text size, which makes the game difficult to read and navigate. Additionally, there is a strong demand for better controller support, which is essential for a seamless gaming experience on the Steam Deck. Stability issues, such as crashes and freezes, have also been reported, further detracting from the user experience. While some users have successfully run the game on Linux using Proton, this requires additional configuration. Despite these issues, some users have reported positive performance on the Steam Deck with certain adjustments.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $25.00 - $40.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users find the game worth its price, especially considering it is in early access. Many reviews mention that the game is reasonably priced around $30 USD, with some noting it is worth even the full price of $40 USD. The positive sentiment around the game's value for money suggests that the community considers the fair price range to be between $25 and $40 USD.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple accounts of playtime experiences. The first quote mentions a 20-hour mark for seeing most content, suggesting a significant investment to reach game completion. The second quote explicitly states that a single run takes around 30 hours on Normal difficulty, which aligns with typical game completion times. The third quote indicates a substantial amount of playtime leading to a recommendation, implying a lengthy engagement. The fourth quote, while not directly mentioning playtime, underscores the depth and passion behind the game, suggesting a lengthy campaign.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts fun and engaging but becomes repetitive and less enjoyable over time, particularly after the initial challenging and captivating early hours.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Completion of initial challenging hours
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Lack of clear tutorial; Repetitive missions; Tedious gameplay loop
  - Unlock drivers: Satisfying mission completion; Engaging early challenges
  - Conditions: Challenging early hours; Limited gear in early game
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Tactician (buy)
    - Motivation: Strategic depth and challenge
    - Playstyle: Careful planning, calculation, and long-term strategy
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Hardcore tactics fans; Strategy gamers
    - Reference games: XCOM 2; Battle Brothers; Phoenix Point
  - Accessibility Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Accessible yet deep gameplay
    - Playstyle: Balanced approach, enjoys learning and mastering mechanics
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Turn Based fans; Newcomers; Familiar players
    - Reference games: Battle Brothers; XCOM
  - Customization Experimenter (buy)
    - Motivation: Customization and replayability
    - Playstyle: Experimental, enjoys trying out different setups and strategies
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Customization fans; Replayability enthusiasts
    - Reference games: XCOM 2; Battle Brothers
  - Constructive Critic (sale)
    - Motivation: Improving game mechanics and features
    - Playstyle: Analytical, enjoys providing detailed feedback
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Game critics; Feedback providers
    - Reference games: XCOM 2; Battle Brothers


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Addictive and engaging gameplay (weight 0.34): The gameplay is described as addictive and enjoyable, with a solid gameplay loop that keeps players engaged. Many players find the gameplay challenging, rewarding, and highly replayable.
- Unique squad mechanics (weight 0.2): The game features unique squad mechanics, including squad interactions, squad-based mechanics, and unique squad leaders with special skillsets. These mechanics add depth and variety to the gameplay.
- Strategic and tactical depth (weight 0.19): The game offers a high level of strategic and tactical depth, with a deep tactical layer and strategic depth in AI behavior and team building. Players appreciate the complexity and depth of the gameplay.
- Great visuals and sound design (weight 0.19): The game's visuals and sound design are highly praised, with players noting the great visuals, pleasant graphics, and excellent sound effects. The detailed visuals and high-quality sound design contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Similar to XCOM (weight 0.09): The game is often compared to XCOM, with players noting similarities and seeing it as an excellent spiritual successor to the XCOM series. This comparison is seen as a positive aspect of the game.
- High quality for Early Access (weight 0.09): The game is noted for being extremely good already in Early Access, with high quality and polish. Players find it worth playing even in its early access state.
- Active development and updates (weight 0.09): The developers are very active and put out regular updates, working on balancing, improvements, and fixes. This active development is seen as a positive aspect of the game.

Common complaints:
- AI needs significant improvement (weight 0.28): The AI in the game is criticized for being ineffective, silly, and in need of reworking. Players find the AI behavior unrealistic and exploitable.
- Repetitive mission structure (weight 0.26): Missions are often described as repetitive and following the same template. This repetitiveness can lead to a sense of monotony and lack of engagement.
- Story content lacking depth (weight 0.18): The game's story is frequently described as weak, light, and lacking in depth. Players express a desire for more cohesive and engaging narrative elements.
- Game lacks polish (weight 0.17): The game is noted to have rough edges and lacks polish. Players mention that it feels unfinished and needs additional work.
- Limited content (weight 0.13): The game is criticized for having limited content, which affects replayability. Players express a need for more content and additions.
- Difficulty issues (weight 0.12): The game has a steep difficulty curve and spike. Players mention that the difficulty can be unforgiving and RNG-based.
- Poor design choices (weight 0.12): Players criticize the game for poor design choices, including frustrating gameplay, illogical map design, and poor voice acting.
- Black market system needs refinement (weight 0.11): The black market system is criticized for being unbalanced, poorly implemented, and overly dependent on RNG.
- Balance issues (weight 0.09): The game has balance issues that need tweaking. Players mention that balancing is necessary for a better gaming experience.
- Tutorial is not helpful (weight 0.07): The tutorial is criticized for not being very useful or helpful. Players mention that the tutorial missions are poor.
- OCI system needs expansion (weight 0.07): The OCI ship system is noted to need an overhaul and expansion. Players find the current OCI slots and upgrades limited.
- Campaign is short (weight 0.07): The campaign is described as short and thin. Players feel that the campaign could be longer and more substantial.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based strategy and tactical gameplay (weight 0.3): The game features a strong emphasis on turn-based strategy and tactical combat, often compared to XCOM. It includes elements of turn-based missions and incorporates RPG elements alongside RTS mechanics.
- Squad-based mechanics and interactions (weight 0.24): The game features squad-based mechanics, including squad leaders with unique abilities and traits. Squad interactions and specialization are important aspects of gameplay.
- Diverse enemy factions and strategies (weight 0.2): Different enemy factions require unique strategies and approaches. The game includes a variety of enemy types and behaviors, adding depth to the tactical gameplay.
- High and varied difficulty levels (weight 0.16): Players note the game's challenging difficulty, with various settings and a steep difficulty curve. The game is hard to master and offers different difficulty levels to cater to various player skills.
- Planets and factions gameplay (weight 0.09): The game includes a strategic layer with factions competing over planets. Players engage in planet exploration and faction interactions.
- Stealth and mortar mechanics (weight 0.08): The game features stealth mechanics and the use of mortars for off-map fire support. Players have noted the need for buffing mortars and the importance of concealment and detection.
- Action points and perk system (weight 0.08): The game features an action points system for movement and combat, along with perk points for character progression. This system adds depth to the tactical gameplay.
- Fog of war and line of sight mechanics (weight 0.08): The game incorporates fog of war and line of sight mechanics, which affect AI behavior and tactical decisions. These mechanics add to the depth of the gameplay.
- Character interactions and dialogue (weight 0.08): The game includes character interactions and dialogue, enhancing the narrative and player engagement. These interactions are a notable part of the gameplay experience.
- Squad and supply management (weight 0.08): Players must manage squads and supplies, including squad loadouts and resource management. This adds a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay.
- Sound design and visuals (weight 0.07): The game features notable sound design and visual effects, contributing to the overall gameplay experience. Voice acting is also a part of the sound design.
- Cold War and combined arms tactics (weight 0.07): The game incorporates Cold War combat tactics and combined arms strategies. Players must utilize various military tactics during gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Good optimization and performance (weight 0.2): The game is generally well-optimized and runs smoothly across various hardware configurations, including mid-range and high-end PCs, as well as on the Steam Deck despite not being officially optimized for it.
- Few technical issues (weight 0.1): Many players report experiencing zero or minimal technical issues, with no crashes or bugs affecting their gameplay.
- Stable performance (weight 0.08): The game demonstrates stable performance, particularly on high-end hardware, ensuring a consistent gaming experience.
- Quick loading times (weight 0.06): Players have noted that the game has quick loading times, contributing to a smoother gaming experience.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for tactical strategy fans (weight 0.27): The game is highly recommended for fans of tactical strategy games, especially those who enjoy titles like XCOM, Xenonauts, and Battle Brothers. It is praised for its intense tactical battles and brutal sci-fi action.
- Additional features and options (weight 0.09): Requests for additional features include the option to choose different majors, the type of ship, weapon proficiency, more realistic portraits, more campaign options, and a New Game Plus mechanic.
- Try the demo first (weight 0.06): New players to the genre are advised to try the demo before purchasing the full game. This helps ensure the game meets their expectations.
- Quality of life improvements (weight 0.05): Suggestions for quality of life improvements include adding weapon stats to accessory item descriptions, adding a simulation for trying out different loadouts, and implementing cinematic cameras.
- More content and variety needed (weight 0.05): Players are requesting more content, including gameplay options, unique characters, abilities, gear, weapons, commanders, vehicles, enemies, mission types, and skills.
- Anticipation for future updates (weight 0.04): Players are looking forward to future updates, indicating that the game has potential but may currently lack some content or features.
- AI and enemy improvements (weight 0.04): Players suggest making enemies more numerous and improving the AI to make the game more challenging and engaging.
- Multiplayer and co-op modes (weight 0.04): Players express interest in multiplayer and co-op modes, suggesting that these features would enhance the game's appeal.

Other player notes:
- Request for Workshop support (weight 0.02): Players are expressing a desire for Workshop support, which would allow for user-generated content and mods to enhance the game.
- Drag-and-drop squad leader portraits (weight 0.02): Players have expressed a wish for the ability to drag-and-drop squad leader portraits, which would enhance customization and user interface flexibility.
- Early Access status (weight 0.02): The game is currently in Early Access, which means it is still under development and may have incomplete features or bugs.
- Photo mode suggestion (weight 0.02): There is a suggestion from players for the addition of a photo mode, which would allow them to take in-game screenshots.
- Feedback link available (weight 0.02): The developers have provided a link for players to submit feedback, showing their commitment to improving the game based on player input.
- Gifted by a friend (weight 0.02): Some players received the game as a gift from a friend, indicating that the game is being shared and recommended within social circles.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.23): Players are frustrated with a variety of gameplay mechanics and design choices, including game balance issues, lack of content, and poor explanations of basic mechanics. Specific issues such as the spawn points system, difficulty spikes, repetitive missions, and AI behavior also contribute to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.17): Players enjoy the game's tactical and strategic layers, engaging setting, and good voice acting. The addictive gameplay loop, diverse characters, and enjoyable weapons also contribute to the overall enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): Players are excited about the game's unique gameplay mechanics, strategic depth, and potential for future updates. The engaging gameplay, diverse characters, and anticipation for more content also contribute to this excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players are satisfied with the game's overall quality, updates, and the value it offers. The satisfying squad setup, enjoyable gameplay mechanics, and the game's potential also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Excited (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's potential, future updates, and the engaging gameplay. The enjoyment of squad customization, mission design, and the anticipation for more content also contribute to this excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players are disappointed with the game's design choices, lack of expected features, and unbalanced mechanics. The game's current condition, lack of fun gameplay, and comparison to other games also contribute to this disappointment.
- Hopeful (weight 0.04): Players are hopeful for future developments, improvements, and more content. The belief in the game's potential and the anticipation of future updates also contribute to this hopefulness.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Players have hope for the game's future improvements, updates, and potential to become as successful as other games. The belief in the developers' potential and the game's Early Access status also contribute to this hope.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's stability, combat feel, and extensive content. The depth, aesthetics, and future potential of the game also contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players are looking forward to future updates, improvements, and the full release of the game. The anticipation for the game's development and future content also contribute to this anticipation.
- Satisfied (weight 0.02): Players are satisfied with the gameplay, squad management, and the overall experience. The coherent sci-fi sensibility, impeccable combat, and regular updates also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Optimism (weight 0.02): Players are optimistic about the game's potential for future improvements and developments. The belief in the game's potential and the excitement for future updates also contribute to this optimism.
- Enthusiastic (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's setting, modern military style, and the combination of turn-based combat and tactics. The enjoyment of the game and looking forward to updates also contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the enjoyable gameplay, audio design, and game mechanics. The fun playing experience and the game's difficulty and controls also contribute to this happiness.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with the game not meeting expectations, lack of need for tactics, and lack of camera flexibility. The completion of Early Access content and the game's shortcomings also contribute to this disappointment.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Players are interested in the game's faction ideas, interesting concept, and theme. The uniqueness of the squad and the game's setting also contribute to this interest.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from the addictive gameplay, emotional and funny voice lines, and starting up new runs. The overall enjoyment of the game's mechanics and features also contribute to this joy.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the game's systematic approach, military theme, and accessibility. The developers' love for the genre and the game's design also contribute to this appreciation.
- Hopefulness (weight 0): Players are hopeful about the game's great foundation and potential. The expectation for improvements and additions also contribute to this hopefulness.}