Fans of historically grounded strategy games won’t have long to wait. Strategos, a large-scale real-time tactics wargame set in the ancient world, is officially launching on January 20, 2026, delivering a deep and methodical approach to warfare on PC. Focused on realism, command limitations, and battlefield psychology, Strategos aims to stand apart from arcade-style strategy titles by offering battles that feel authentic, punishing, and strategically rich.
Large-Scale Warfare Across a Thousand Years of History
Strategos simulates warfare spanning nearly 1,000 years of classical antiquity, allowing players to command armies from vastly different eras and cultures. From the Hoplite formations of the Persian Wars, through the age of Hellenistic kingdoms, to the disciplined legions of Imperial Rome and the rise of the Sasanian Empire, the game captures the evolution of ancient warfare in remarkable detail.
Players can command thousands of soldiers simultaneously across expansive battlefields shaped by terrain, morale, fatigue, disorder, and the ever-present fog of war.
Command Warfare at a Realistic Scale
Rather than focusing on fast-paced micromanagement, Strategos emphasizes command and control. Armies operate in formation, react dynamically to morale shocks, and may rout, pursue, or collapse if leadership fails.
Victory depends on:
- Strategic positioning and timing
- Maintaining morale and cohesion
- Using generals effectively to relay orders
- Understanding terrain and battlefield flow
Leadership matters as much as unit quality, forcing players to think like real ancient commanders.
Advanced Battlefield Systems and Tactical Depth
Inspired by tabletop wargaming, Strategos features layered battlefield mechanics that reward planning and foresight. Units can become disordered, suffer morale shocks, flee, or be cut down during pursuit. Flanking, terrain advantages, and fatigue all play decisive roles.
Key mechanics include:
- Morale and routing systems
- Disorder and cohesion breakdown
- Fog of war and limited battlefield awareness
- Terrain-driven advantages and penalties
- Realistic pursuit and evasion behavior
Historical and Custom Battles at Launch
At release, Strategos includes historical battles such as Issos and Raphia, allowing players to recreate iconic engagements from antiquity. Beyond historical scenarios, the game offers an extensive custom battle system, letting players design speculative matchups across eras.
Players can customize:
- Factions and historical periods
- Army sizes and compositions
- Terrain and maps
- AI behavior and difficulty
- Optional randomization rules
This flexibility makes Strategos equally appealing to history enthusiasts and sandbox tacticians.
Key Features of Strategos
Real-Time Tactical Warfare in Classical Antiquity
Command massive armies with realistic formations, morale behavior, and battlefield dynamics.
Advanced Command and Control
Use generals, couriers, and command ranges to issue orders, inspire troops, and personally commit leaders to combat.
Over 250 Unique Units
Field infantry, cavalry, skirmishers, and specialist troops modeled across cultures and eras.
Nearly 120 Playable Factions
Take control of Greek city-states, Rome, Carthage, Persian empires, tribal confederations, and lesser-known regional powers.
Hotseat and AI-Controlled Play
Play against AI opponents or disable AI entirely for hotseat-style shared command.
Operational Campaign Mode on the Horizon
An Operational Campaign Mode is currently in development and will begin rolling out during Early Access. At launch, players will be able to command forces in Sicily during the First Punic War, with additional campaigns planned.
This mode introduces:
- Map-based operational movement by land and sea
- Supply line management
- Decisions on sieges and engagements
- Limited recruitment and replenishment
The campaign layer adds historical context and long-term strategic consequences to tactical battles.
Release Date and Availability
- Release Date: January 20, 2026
- Platform: PC
- Storefront: Steam
Players can wishlist Strategos now ahead of launch.
MicroProse Continues Its Strategy Legacy
Published by MicroProse, the legendary studio founded in 1982, Strategos joins a lineage of classic and modern simulation titles. Known for iconic games like Falcon, B-17 The Mighty Eighth, Gunship, HighFleet, and Ground Branch, MicroProse continues to champion deep, systems-driven games for dedicated strategy fans.
