With the dream of XCOM 3 nonetheless very a lot simply that, I am going to leap on any probability to get a little bit of turn-based tactical fight into my life. Skygard Area is the most recent newcomer to step as much as the plate, and it instantly caught my eye with its fantasy designs and a battle system that is giving Into The Breach vibes. Developer Gemelli Video games has simply launched it out of early entry on Steam after nearly a 12 months, with a brand new champion and full Steam Deck help among the many inclusions, and it is properly price a glance when you’re craving slightly technique.
Very like the Firaxis-forged favorites and Subset’s mech masterpiece, Skygard Area is all about good positioning, motion, and talent use on tight battlefields. Its showdowns happen on arenas which might be scattered with key targets equivalent to pillars that, when captured, help you redeploy fallen group members. That introduces slightly extra territory management to proceedings, serving to Skygard stand out among the many finest turn-based technique video games of its ilk. Most of the expertise at your disposal are directional, or depend on line of sight, and there are many choices to maneuver your foes across the battlefield and arrange explosive combos.
Narratively, the world of Skygard is break up into 5 distinct factions: The Katia are a long-held alliance of Elves and Dwarves who labored collectively to assemble a flying metropolis they name residence. They’re joined by the Scarlet Empire (relentless conquerors), the Clouds Clan (a fragile alliance of nomad tribes), the Guardians (who shield historic magic), and the Silver Kingdom (a faction of zealots devoted to their angel queen).
You go into battle with a squad of three champions, however that is simply the beginning of the strategic potentialities. Every character may be flipped between completely different personas that supply a novel spell loadout, and then you definitely’re capable of equip them with relics that amplify their expertise with highly effective passive boosts. In complete, Gemelli teases that there are “over 500,000 completely different group compositions” doable, so you will possible be experimenting for fairly some time to search out your favourite.
The principle draw is the story-driven marketing campaign, but when you end up hooked on its asymmetrical battle system then you possibly can preserve coming again with skirmishes towards a variety of more and more powerful pc opponents impressed by chess engines. As soon as you’ve got mastered your group composition of selection, you possibly can head on-line and try to climb the PvP ladder. There is a ranked leaderboard or the choice for informal matches, so that you’re free to take issues at your most well-liked tempo.
Skygard Area 1.0 is out now on Steam, and a 35% sale means you will pay $9.74 / £8.31 when you purchase it by Thursday October 2. Have a look right here when you’ve been craving some contemporary tactical motion in your life.
If it is the type of Skygard that appeals most, you will discover loads extra wondrous worlds to discover amongst our decide of the most effective fantasy video games. We have additionally highlighted the most effective indie video games in 2025 to be sure you do not miss any hidden gems.
Are you continue to holding the XCOM 3 dream alive? Or have you ever discovered alternate options to fill the hole? Inform us about your turn-based favorites within the PCGamesN group Discord server, and possibly you will uncover one thing new within the course of.
