Chris InglisIndie studio QUICKFIRE GAMES launched a Kickstarter Campaign for its grim tactical RPG, Prelude Dark Pain on April 29, 2025, and I have been fortunate to go hands-on with the game. From the moment the first mission begins, this game offers refinements to the turn-based combat formula that feel fresh and exciting, while being wrapped in a visually appealing package. Environments are richly detailed in a dark and moody setting, character models are distinct and expressive, and the visual effects of attacks and skills are immersive, drawing you into the gritty world the developers are crafting.
Where Prelude Dark Pain impressed me though was its gameplay. You have freedom to move and attack in any order within a character’s turn which is a breath of fresh air. Also, if you plan a move or attack but want to cancel it, it’s an easy right-click and you can reset your plan. This simple yet profound change is sorely missed in more rigid turn structures. You’re no longer constrained by a fixed sequence of move and then attack; instead, you can carefully consider the evolving battlefield. This enables you to reposition to gain an advantage before unleashing a devastating attack or perhaps softening a target with a quick stab before moving away to safety.
Adding to this flexibility is the crystal-clear indication of attack and skill targeting. The preview gameplay clearly delineates the area of effect, the trajectory of projectiles, and the range of melee attacks and skills. This transparency empowers you to make informed decisions, leading to more satisfying tactical manoeuvres and fewer frustrating miss-clicks, though I still managed to melee one of my own units by mistake.
The preview showcased a variety of character abilities depending on their class, each with a distinct purpose and visual effect. Whether it’s a powerful area-of-effect spell, setting up a defensive turret, or firing off a crucial heal, the game provides the tools you need to adapt to different enemy types and combat scenarios. The user interface for selecting and deploying these skills is intuitive, allowing for seamless integration into your turn. The full game will offer more than 20 playable heroes that players can mix and match to form their squad, each of them with unique skills and talents that can be customised and evolved by managing a settlement.
Another particularly clever addition is the ability to have each character defend themselves as your final end-turn action and even choose the direction of your defense. This adds another layer of strategy to your decision making. Do you reposition to gain a better offensive angle, or do you hunker down, anticipating an incoming assault from a specific direction? This simple mechanic can be the difference between survival and defeat, encouraging you to think several steps ahead.
Beyond the engaging gameplay, the narrative threads woven into the preview are genuinely intriguing. While only a glimpse is offered, the world feels rich with lore and the characters hint at compelling backstories and motivations. The stakes feel real, and the initial conflict presented leaves you eager to uncover more of the overarching story. I am keen to see more as the game is developed.
Based on this preview, Prelude Dark Pain is a promising combination of stunning visuals, innovative turn-based combat mechanics, and an intriguing story that is said to be non-linear, and player decisions will shape the evolution of the story. The full release has the potential to be a great game with plenty of options for turn-based fans. With its Kickstarter campaign now underway, this is one to watch and back with excitement.
This preview utilised a key provided by ICO Partners and Prelude Dark Pain is currently running a kickstarter campaign for launch in 2026. You can wishlist the game on Steam.
#roundtablecoop
