Menace, the upcoming TRPG from Overhype Studios (creators of Battle Brothers), is set to enter early access later in 2025. Published by Hooded Horse, the game first appeared in demo form ahead of Steam Next Fest this October. While the exact early access date hasn’t been confirmed, the demo suggests that players won’t have to wait too long before getting hands-on time.
The story sets players in the Wayback System, a frontier controlled by pirates and splinter governments. Coming from the Core Worlds aboard the ship TCR Impetus, the strike force’s mission is to restore order, but with communication cut off, survival becomes the immediate challenge. This mix of isolation, faction struggles, and tactical combat defines Menace’s approach.
Combat Focus in the Menace TRPG Demo
The current demo highlights combat, showcasing how operations unfold. Instead of a single mission, players take on linked operations made up of multiple battles. Squad leaders and squad members face permanent death if lost, creating high stakes across each run.
Maps in the demo lean on the larger side, with long stretches of movement before firefights begin. Vehicles already play a role, offering mobility and support, and mechs are confirmed for later builds. Missions begin with preparation: selecting squads, managing supplies, and positioning units in deployment zones. Each squad can hold up to eight members, and every loss reduces long-term strength.
Combat uses turn-based mechanics with cover, suppression, and flanking options. Squads operate with action points each turn, balancing movement, firing, and defensive postures like crouching or going prone. Suppression and pinning are represented by a morale bar, forcing players to account for psychological as well as physical survival.
Squad Management and Strategic Layers
Outside of combat, Menace emphasizes squad leaders and unit progression. Promotion points earned through mission ratings unlock perks that improve squad performance. Equipment management adds another layer, requiring players to balance resources between weapons, armor, and consumables across all squads.
Vehicles and support options tie into the ship-based layer, where players can call in missile strikes or air support during missions. These additions give each operation a sense of scale, blending tactical ground combat with larger strategic oversight. The blend of procedural maps with handcrafted squad leaders promises variety, while still grounding each run in recognizable personalities.
First Impressions and Takeaways
The demo shows promise but also highlights early concerns. Large maps can lead to downtime, and the absence of certain features like mechs leaves an incomplete picture of the final experience. Still, the mix of roguelike operations, permanent unit loss, and faction management makes Menace stand apart from standard tactical RPGs.
Dev Diary #35: MENACE Demo Launches September 29, 2025
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As with Battle Brothers, Overhype seems committed to delivering a punishing but rewarding experience. The permanent loss mechanic suggests that careful planning will matter as much as battlefield tactics. Whether Menace finds a broader audience or stays niche will depend on how accessible the early access build feels when it arrives later in 2025.
