Deep Fringe

Cool but wildy unbalanced at the time of writing.

The game has potential, worth following its development during early access.

[u]Update (26/01/2026)[/u]: Today I was surprised to find that they added proper save system with manual save/load. Now you can create backup saves in-game, without worrying about something getting broken. [u]Original (22/01/2026)[/u]: Very good tactical game. Somewhat reminds me of Battle Isle II and III. The only issue with Early Access is the save management system: if game doesn't save correctly after battle, you might lose all acquired items and mission itself. For now you need to backup all save data manually. You can find saves here: [i]\Steam\steamapps\common\Deep Fringe\Deep Fringe\SR_Data\Data\SaveData\GameSave\[/i]

Really liking this so far. Too many tactics games try to add in some clever new system that ends up making it feel like it's less about tactics, and more about getting specials like airstrikes or whatever. This game is all about tactics, pure and simple. You load out your team for a mission, and what you bring in is what you're going to have to work with. Learn how to have units sustaining other units with repairs, learn how to use terrain (height, LOS blocking, weak terrain under enemies you can destroy, etc), learn what abilities which enemies have. Really really nice tactical gameplay. I also really like the dark setting, and that it doesn't feel like it's all about humans and Earth, it's just some weird pseudo-religious robots (you) versus blobby mutant aliens.

Good gameplay and an interesting setting - but be aware that this is *very* early access. There's no more than a dozen hours of main content and the balance is still very much under development. The closest comparison I have is Urtuk: The Desolation, which I also played in early access and became a very good game for its time. If you liked that, you'll like this.

Well, I dislike games in which map and objectives are obscured until you reach a checkpoint. Yet still, this game manages to scratch a WH40k-like itch, while being something completely on its own, provide smart maps where you can utilize elevation and environmental props, introduce unique units with versatile abilities and customization, and make an impression (sic!) of an RPG-progression. Unlike other games, when you are limited to certain units, it soon becomes apparen why exactly (you need those abilities to progress) and instead of feeling limiting it rather becomes a hint. Despite being recommended, which is a rare thing for a sophisticated player like me, I find it's music and SFX to be somewhat irritating, although the artstyle is definitely impressive. Moreover, the game really needs to develop towards QoL features, like hovering over units entering the battlefield, and appearing objectives, because more often than not you miss what has changed, and therefore have to double-check everything every freaking turn, or be doomed to restart the mission. Overall the explanations are most lacking, so let's hope this is adressed before it will leave the EA. For now the major re…