Ex Sanguis, the new tactics RPG from Lightbulb, the developers behind Othercide, has launched into Steam Early Access for PC. The game retains Othercide's signature emphasis on manipulating timelines within its grid-based tactical combat, but streamlines the experience with a leaner roguelike campaign structure.
Players step into the role of the Mater, a goddess tasked with defending a world drained of its vitality by a vampiric moon. The core gameplay loop involves leading a squad of three customizable warriors against the moon's minions. As in Othercide, combat focuses on precise control of time. Abilities can be set to trigger instantly, after a delay, or in response to enemy actions or friendly damage. This allows for strategic pre-emption and interruption of enemy assaults, a crucial element given the escalating enemy numbers and reinforcements that emerge from environmental hazards.
Repositioning abilities, such as shoves and gravity pulses, play a key role, enabling players to manipulate enemy positioning, potentially redirecting delayed attacks or pushing foes into area-of-effect attacks. The game encourages fast completion of missions, often requiring the elimination of specific key targets rather than clearing the entire map, echoing the approach found in games like Into the Breach.
Environments in Ex Sanguis are dynamic and hazardous, featuring blood blisters that explode when struck, potentially triggering chain reactions that affect characters and terrain. The AI's tendency to trigger these environmental hazards adds another layer of complexity to the tactical planning.
The roguelike campaign structure in Ex Sanguis offers a more focused progression. Each run begins with three chosen warriors, whose classes—initially Swordlady, Gunlass, and Time Wizardress—and starting abilities can be selected. Players traverse a world map, engaging in battles that yield choices of new abilities or stat boosts. Accumulating 'Corrupted Blood' from victories progresses the campaign, eventually leading to boss fights that mark chapter breaks. Between runs, players can spend meta-currency on persistent unlocks that introduce new elements into subsequent playthroughs.
While Ex Sanguis builds upon the foundations of Othercide, some elements from its predecessor are missed. The previous game's denser, darker storytelling and the ability to sacrifice weaker units for resources are noted as elements that contributed to its unique atmosphere. The developer is continuing to work on Ex Sanguis, with at least six months planned for its early access period, suggesting further refinements and content additions are forthcoming.