Steam: Tactical fantasy RPG with unique combat debuts at 92% positive reviews

Veterum is a new tactical RPG that launched on Steam on September 7, 2026 and has so far proven highly popular with players. The game is somewhat reminiscent of Battle Brothers, but moves the mercenary life into a classic fantasy world. Players take on the role of Commander Edward and lead the last army of the Order of the Gatekeepers through a realm teeming with wild creatures, blood cults and what appears to be an impending apocalypse.

On the open world map, players decide for themselves which cities to visit and which missions to accept. Along the way, they can recruit new fighters including humans, dwarves, elves, Turanians and others, buy or find equipment and rare artifacts and build relationships with various settlements. Quests, random events and merchant inventories are partially randomized, meaning the campaign plays out somewhat differently with each run. Building your own army appears to be exceptionally complex. The various soldiers not only come with individual personality traits as well as active and passive abilities, but also expect to be paid individually.

Tactical battles with numerous influencing factors

At the heart of the game is its deep tactical combat system, which is turn-based and takes place on hex grids. Simply sending the strongest units to the front is not enough. The outcome of battles is influenced by numerous factors – including morale, exhaustion, weather and even lighting conditions. Fog and rain, for example, can hinder archers, while nocturnal creatures become particularly dangerous in the dark. Players can sometimes influence these factors themselves. They can light fires, build barricades, dig trenches, cut down trees or freeze rivers. Before a battle begins, single-use scrolls can even summon rain, poison enemies or deploy a catapult.

Just one day after release, Veterum already has more than 160 Steam reviews, with a very positive average rating of 92%. The title also temporarily reached No. 1 in the “Popular New Releases” category on the Steam charts, although it has since slipped to No. 2. Players particularly praise the deep combat system and the flexibility of building their own army. There are also some criticisms – including occasionally clumsy enemy AI, cumbersome equipment management and a user interface that still feels somewhat unpolished – but most players seem willing to overlook these issues.

Anyone who wants to check it out can still get Veterum with a 15% launch discount until September 14, bringing the price down to $16.99 from $19.99. Steam Deck compatibility is listed as “Playable.”