If, like us, you’re intrigued by its absolutely insane gameplay loop and premise, you might want to know more about the game before deciding to take the plunge and buy this game. Well, we’ve put together a list of things you might want to know about the game.

Let’s dive in!

1. From The Future, With Love

The insanity starts with the game’s narrative! You’re a special operations expert sent back in time to 1401 to the Welsh Rebellion, an interesting time period that saw England, Wales, and Scotland embroiled in a series of clashes thanks to the self-proclaimed Prince of Wales.

You’re going to interfere in order to ensure you prevent an apocalyptic event in your own timeline. It’s a typical isekai narrative, with time travel elements thrown in to ensure that you’re a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, or a commander without comparison outside of it.

2. Choose a Side

You can fight for either England, Scotland, or Wales in the main story with multiple endings tied to your choices. Are you going to attempt to quell the rebellion or support it? Perhaps you’re thinking of playing both sides to meet your own ulterior motives? It’s all up to you, and the game is likely to feature quite a few twists and turns as you progress through its main campaign.

That’s good news if you’re the type who likes a bit of replay value from their games, and with a premise like this one, that’s quite a draw.

3. Your Perspective, Your Playstyle

Do you like to get into the thick of the action and unleash your modern weapons against hapless knights, soldiers, and cavalry units? That’s certainly on the cards.

Or do you prefer to hang back and direct your troops from afar, showing off your strategic chops in the process? Go right ahead.

You can seamlessly switch between both perspectives, choosing between action and Real Time Strategy in, well, real time. It’s a gameplay loop that could have you very involved with how your army behaves on the battlefield, and you could choose to turn the tide yourself if your plans go awry. That’s modern warfare in the past for you.

4. Troops That Are More Than Cannon Fodder

Redemption Road has been quite enthusiastic about dynamic AI systems that react to the battle and influence the decisions, pathfinding, and even the loyalty of troops in the field. While they haven’t elaborated on how that works, we’re pretty certain you can expect soldiers to lay down their arms if you overwhelm their formations, or perhaps have to fend off ones who attempt to flank your own forces if the opportunity presents itself.

Your own troops and officers could attempt a few tricks of their own, and managing the battlefield is sure to be both challenging and rewarding in equal measures.

Whether you’re in the field or at your command post, things could get quite heated in the blink of an eye if the studio plays its cards right.

5. Battle Tactics

While the thought of tearing through enemy troops with your assault rifle sounds like you’re going to be invincible on the battlefield, Redemption Road has ensured that things are not going to be as easy as they seem. Your enemies adapt their tactics, choosing to swarm you with superior numbers and removing the advantage that your arsenal affords you and your troops.

Expect resistance irrespective of the weapons and tools you carry with you, and always stay on guard for intelligent attempts to sway the momentum of the fight away from you while you direct your troops.

6. You And Whose Army?

If you find that controlling massive armies a tad too taxing, you could bring a few buddies along in multiplayer co-op that supports up to four players. We shudder to think of what a well-coordinated unit of the best action players can achieve with modern weaponry, and the devastation they could bring to the battlefield if their opponents have nothing but swords, shields, and spears to wield against them.

The best of you could get very creative with your unit’s setup, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with once the game is in your hands.

7. The Right Tools For The Art of War

The game’s premise gives you the scope to wield a wide range of weapons like assault rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, and so many more against troops whose arsenals seem almost negligible in comparison. While it’s one of the main draws of the game, we’re quite curious to see how those battles play out, and how the armies of the past manage to respond effectively to the weapons of the future. It’s an idea that is both ridiculous and fascinating, although the game’s trailers point towards it being executed (pun intended) very well.

8. Wheels Up!

If fancy guns and weapons weren’t enough, you also get to drive armored SUVs, bikes, attack helos, call in air strikes, and even drive a convertible into battle. Talk about arriving in style!

But jokes aside, vehicular combat could very well be another facet of this insane gameplay loop that could very well bring the whole experience together. Perhaps you could go into 007 mode and assault a fortress in the fanciest car that money can buy. Or take a tank if you prefer function over form.

9. Drawing The Line

This one’s pretty amusing despite the disappointment it brought us. The devs have said that they toyed with the idea of a giant mech tearing up the battlefield at one point, but ultimately changed their minds as it was a challenge to sustain the balance they had created. We kind of agree, as the thought of a metal monstrosity assaulting hapless soldiers who poked at it with their swords sounds too far-fetched, even for Kingmakers.

We would have liked to re-enact a modified version of our favorite battle from Star Wars, but it is what it is.

10. A Path to Fame and Fortune

It was kind of inevitable that a premise as unique as the one Kingmakers brings to the table has drawn the attention of studios in other entertainment media. Popular studio Story Kitchen is already working with Redemption Road and publisher TinyBuild to bring a live-action adaptation of the game to the silver screen.

We just hope that the movie is a faithful recreation of the insanity we’re about to witness once this one hits the shelves.

11. Kingmakers Is Just Getting Started

And we mean that literally. Early access opens on October 8th, 2025, while the developers have already excitedly discussed potential additions to the game ahead of its full and final release. There’s going to be flamethrowers, drones, and so much more, allowing you to devise very creative ways to bring misery to any who dares to oppose you in your mission to save the future.

12. Crossplay and Consoles

There’s hope that console ports for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are in the game’s future, with the developers stating that it’s something they would like to do and are actively pursuing. It does make sense to bring Kingmakers to as many platforms as possible, allowing more players to join in on the fun and perhaps build a thriving community around the game and its insane premise.

13. Modest System Requirements

Another feather in Kingmaker’s cap is that its excellent visuals do not come at the price of a high-end setup. As per the Epic Store, it’s going to need Windows 10 64-bit and an Intel i5 10th Gen processor and 8GB of RAM alongside an RTX 2060 GPU, DirectX 11, and a whopping 80GB of storage.

The recommended specs bump up the CPU requirement to an Intel i7 10th gen, and an RTX 3070. While these may be changed in the run-up to the game’s full and final release, they’re a sign that players whose rigs might not be fully up to date can still join in on the fun.

And that’s a wrap on everything you need to know about Kingmakers.

“In short: It’s an incredibly ambitious, uncompromising game, and we don’t want to cut any planned features, for the sake of getting it out the door earlier. Our goal, from the start, has been to create something that’s nothing like anything else on the market, in terms of gameplay, scale, scope, and interactivity.”

The developer noted that it’s pushing Unreal Engine 4 to its “absolute limits” to achieve 60 frames per second on mid-range PCs without needing “fake frames.” “We currently have tens of thousands of soldiers, each with AI and pathfinding that rivals what you’d expect from a AAA third-person shooter. When you walk away from a battle, it continues to play out. Nothing is faked.”

It provided other examples of interactivity, such as lumber mills that could become spots of combat or broken trees collapsing and hitting any soldiers in the way. Players are also “free to explore” the giant map on each server, whether it’s alone or with “their own personal army of thousands.”

“We set out to do all of this, with full drop-in/drop-out 4 player multiplayer support, and we have. We just need a bit more time on content polish before we feel good about charging money for it.”

While there are already shouts of “The Day Before 2” on Steam, Redemption Road has promised a half-hour deep dive on the gameplay “very soon,” complete with a “comprehensive overview” of everything the team has worked on. Stay tuned for more updates and a possible new release window in the coming weeks.

Announced last year, Kingmakers is a third-person shooter/real-time strategy game where players use modern weaponry in a medieval war setting. Between annihilating hordes of enemy soldiers, they can also command their own army from a top-down view.

Ghost of Yōtei

Easily the biggest game of the month, and certainly a contender for Game of the Year, but that’s to be expected. Sucker Punch Productions’ skill for creating engaging open worlds is on full display once more as Atsu scours Ezo for revenge against the Yōtei Six. There’s more variety and less repetition, while the combat system has been expanded to include more weapons, fresh mechanics like disarming enemies (and throwing weapons into their imminent carcasses), and a wolf that occasionally helps out. In a year where Sony desperately needs some PS5 exclusives, Ghost of Yōtei looks to be an incredible showcase for the console when it launches on October 2nd.

Battlefield 6

About four years ago, the Battlefield franchise suffered a slump that few thought it could ever recover from. But here we are with Battlefield 6, a combined effort between DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion and Motive Studio, which could take the series to new heights of success. The return of an epic globe-hopping campaign is already fantastic, but even the multiplayer with its Classes, weapon feel, and grounded atmosphere has us excited. Even Portal and the new Battle Royale don’t look too shabby. Launching on October 10th, Battlefield 6 will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Game Freak’s latest Pokémon title also marks the series’ debut on Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the original Switch, but it goes even further by taking place in a single city. As a new trainer in Lumiose City, it’s your job to investigate the strange outbreak of Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon while having their wish granted in the Z-A Royale. Between new Pokémon and Mega Evolutions, a free-for-all competitive mode called Battle Club, and much more, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is certainly shaping up well. It’s out on October 16th for Switch 1 and 2.

The Outer Worlds 2

For a game that goes “bigger and deeper” than the original, with an overhaul to Skills and Flaws alongside much larger planets and a third-person perspective, The Outer Worlds 2 certainly feels like the underdog heading into October. Maybe it’s the sheer range of other big-name sequels to look forward to, but the new, more-serious story (which still packs moments of dark levity) looks intriguing, and there’s plenty of room for more niche playstyles. Whether you’re a team player or a solo operative intent on killing all NPCs, The Outer Worlds 2 could satisfy that role-playing fix when it launches on October 29th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Seven years after Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory, a new entry in the Digimon Story is finally upon us with Time Stranger. Launching on October 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, it was actually announced way back in December 2017 and offers a brand new story with time travel elements. Following an incident that would change the world, the player, as part of a mysterious organization, ventures back in time to try to prevent it. On top of over 450 Digimon to collect, players travel to Illiad in the Digimon World and attempt to unravel what’s going on. Will it end up overshadowed by Pokémon Legends: Z-A or stand out all the more? We’ll find out in the coming days.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy has returned, and thankfully, it isn’t part of a compilation that’s available only for a limited time. This time, Nintendo Switch players can experience each title in the series for $39.99 separately or for $69.99 in a bundle. Switch 2 owners can play both games at 4K courtesy of a free update, and there are new features like more Storybook Chapters, amiibo support and Assist Mode. These are more like re-releases than remasters, but if you’ve ever wanted to play two of the best 3D platformers ever made, they may be worth checking out on October 2nd.

ARC Raiders

As if it isn’t competing for time with all the other big releases, Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders is sandwiched between two triple-A shooters (with Battlefield this month and Call of Duty in the next). Nevertheless, if the response has proven anything, it’s that it may very well hold its own. Launching with four maps with different conditions and challenging foes, the extraction shooter packs Embark’s sleek shooting with a distinct post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Between mastering different skills, competing quests, taking a shot at the leaderboards, or trying to understand the world as a whole, ARC Raiders promises a lot, and we can’t wait to dive in when it launches on October 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Little Nightmares 3

The heavyweight survival horror titles are already out, but there’s still Little Nightmares 3 to look forward to ahead of Halloween. Set in The Spiral, the story follows Low and Alone as they attempt to escape its hellish landscape. Between towering monsters, sentient puppets, and other horrors, it’s a tall task, but each packs unique tools like arrows and a wrench for puzzle-solving and self defense. And while couch co-op isn’t supported, there is a Friends Pass, meaning another player can join in without owning the game. All the better to spread the terror when Little Nightmares 3 launches on October 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

Keeper

You never truly guess what Double Fine Productions will pump out next, and Keeper, out on October 17th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, is truly unique. You control, of all things, a sentient lighthouse that ventures across the world to learn more about its purpose. Between encountering other strange entities in a wordless narrative and the trippy visuals, it’s certainly shaping up to be an adventure unlike any other.

Jurassic World Evolution 3

You kind of know what you’re getting with any Frontier Developments management sim, and Jurassic Park Evolution 3 is no exception. The usual campaign, sandbox and challenge modes return, but there are over 80 species, each with variants (including juvenile dinosaurs), and more complex creation tools to embrace alongside new attractions. Couple this with new locations, and there’s plenty to look forward to when it launches on October 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Ninja Gaiden 4

One of the gold standards for incredible hack and slash action-adventures, Ninja Gaiden, is finally getting a new mainline title on October 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Ninja Gaiden 4 follows Yakumo of the Raven Clan as he ventures to the remains of Tokyo to slay the Dark Dragon. The Order isn’t having it, though, and neither is series mainstay, Ryu Hayabusa (who’s also playable), leading to some bloody battles. While possessing an array of armaments, Yakumo also has Bloodraven Form to modify his attacks and even unleash Bloodbath Kills to maim several foes at once. Promising accessibility via Hero Mode and hardcore challenge courtesy of Master Ninja difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 4 could be the most epic title in the series yet.

Kingmakers

What happens when modern soldiers are sent back in time to fight medieval battles containing hundreds of units? You get Kingmakers, with its unique mix of third-person shooting, extensive military equipment and base-building, launching on October 8th for PC. When you’re not engaging in the battle, you can take an overhead view and command units. All this and co-op for up to four players? If nothing else, it looks like a fun bit of controlled chaos.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault

Nothing can stop a good merchant, especially one like Will, who ventures into dungeons to collect the wares himself. Moonlighter 2 directly follows the first game’s events, as you venture into The Endless Vault, collect valuable artifacts, and sell them in your store. The profits can be used to upgrade the town of Tresna, your own shop and even equipment to delve deeper into the dungeons for more profitable finds. With a jump to full 3D and new mechanics – like using your own backpack as a weapon – there’s plenty to look forward to when Moonlighter 2 launches in Steam Early Access on October 23rd.

Double Dragon Revive

The classic side-scrolling beat ’em up franchise returns courtesy of Arc System Works and Yuke’s when Double Dragon Revive launches on October 23rd for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. Alongside Story Mode with support for up to four playable characters, there’s Extra Mode with more than 50 mission types and a uniquely separate story across multiple unlockable episodes. Between this and Absolum, it’s a great month for beat ’em up fans.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted

After botching Battle for Neighborville and Plants vs. Zombies 3, PopCap Games is going back to the drawing board. Or more specifically, to the first garden in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, an HD version of the tower defense that started it all. Fortunately, there’s a lot to justify that $20 purchase, from a new hardcore mode to the more forgiving but still challenging Cloudy Day Mode. You can even compete in local PvP as the zombies or defend together in co-op. Replanted launches on October 23rd for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Tormented Souls 2

The original Tormented Souls didn’t push any boundaries, but for a title inspired by old-school Resident Evil, it wasn’t half-bad. Tormented Souls 2, out on October 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, continues the story of Caroline as she ventures to a mysterious yet sinister new location. While you’ll be shifting between realities, solving puzzles and fighting off new enemies, tank controls are still in effect, and you won’t have unlimited saves, just like the survival horror games of yesteryears, but you can enable assist mode.

Once Upon A Katamari

A new Katamari title that isn’t a remaster? Somehow, it’s true as Once Upon A Katamari launches on October 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The Prince is once again tasked with fixing the sky after The King of All Cosmos destroys it yet again, and this time, you’re venturing through time, rolling up the Ice Age and other notable eras. With character customization, new tools and KatamariBall, a new four-player competitive mode, the good times may indeed be ready to roll.

Dispatch

What happens when Mecha Man no longer has his mech suit to fight crime? He does the next best thing, taking on a job as a superhero dispatcher. That’s only the start of Robert Robertson’s ordeals, however, as he works with ex-supervillains, dispatching them to different locations with unique consequences. Between unlocking new abilities and managing their various personality quirks, Dispatch is a unique mix of narrative adventure and hero strategy with a strong cast. The first two episodes debut on October 22nd, followed by the next two on October 29th for PS5 and PC, with the final four out in November.

Wreckreation

I’ll admit to being somewhat disappointed with Bugbear’s Wreckfest 2 (which has seen several updates after launching in early access), but Wreckreation, developed by the team behind Dangerous Driving, could fill that void. It’s out on October 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and introduces the 400 square kilometer sandbox that is MixWorld, which you’re free to build up and wreck alone or with others. With extensive customization tools and plenty to discover, it’s an interesting proposition, and hopefully one with a lot of staying power.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection

Have you ever wanted a definitive collection of all classic Mortal Kombat titles? Yes, even Mythologies: Sub Zero and Special Forces? Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection could be the answer as it contains Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3, 4, Trilogy and much more with multiple versions, online play with rollback netcode and instant access to all secret characters. You can explore the lore of the series and its characters, and learn more about the franchise’s development courtesy of new creator interviews. Launching on October 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, it could very well be a must-buy for any fighting game fan.

As showcased in the latest trailer, up to four players can battle together, commandeering various vehicles and spreading death. Best of all, other players can command their own armies, leading to massive conflicts of unprecedented scale.

An array of weaponry is showcased, from shotguns, rocket launchers and AK-47s to explosives and swords. And while you could ride a tank or motorcycle into battle, nothing is stopping you from going in on horseback.

Of course, the strategy side is still essential as you fight alongside and command thousands of AI soldiers. Between battles, base-building and managing your kingdom are also key. Stay tuned for more details and gameplay en route to its early access release.

According to Fisch, the story of Kingmakers revolves around a modern-day soldier being sent back in time to 1401 to take part in the Welsh Rebellion of the time. While the real-world version of the rebellion was defeated, with its leader Owain Glyndŵr disappearing under mysterious circumstances, Kingmakers will have players, armed with assault rifles and tanks, lead the rebellion to victory in their quest to conquer England.

Fisch points out that one of the key features of Kingmakers will be that the thousands of soldiers that players take on in any of the game’s levels will all be fully simulated. He compared this to a game like Dynasty Warriors, which tends to spawn in fresh soldiers to fight when players get close. Instead, all the soldiers will be in the battlefield right from the beginning of the level, with each one playing their part in the fight.

Buildings will also be fully navigable and destructible. This can lead to hordes of soldiers being able to storm a massive castle which features complex architecture across its multiple floors. Fisch promises the same level of pathfinding and fidelity that players expect from modern shooters.

“Originally, we thought Kingmakers was going to be a cool simulation of what it would be like to go back in time with modern weapons,” says Fisch in the trailer. “Would you be able to defeat a medieval army with an AK-47? Then we realised that if we’re going to do this, we’ve got to do it right. Medieval battles involve thousands of soldiers, so we’re going to simulate thousands of soldiers.”

He also revealed that the idea to add real-time strategy game mechanics to Kingmakers came about because the studio figured that, with battles of massive scopes taking place, players would want to command their own armies. This led to the studio adding building and army recruitment mechanics to what was originally going to be a more standard action game.

Fisch goes on to describe Kingmakers as “a shooter with real-time strategy mechanics that rival Age of Empires, and shooting gameplay that rivals Helldivers and Space Marine.”

When it comes to the destructible buildings in Kingmakers, Fisch mentions that players have a wide range of ways in how they can raze the structures. Players can use grenade launchers, call in airstrikes, or even just drive through buildings in a heavily-armoured tank. The destruction is all supposed to be dynamic, with no strictly-scripted building collapses in the game.

Fisch notes that the studio decided to develop Kingmakers using Unreal Engine 4 over its more recent iterations primarily because of how the engine handles physics. While Unreal Engine 5 has plenty of new features that developers could use, according to Fisch, none of the newer versions of the engine could match the processing speed required for the physics simulation in Kingmakers that was provided by Unreal Engine 4.

Along with all of this, Kingmakers will also feature co-op multiplayer for up to four players for the entirety of the campaign. This includes all mechanics, including the RTS ones where each player will be able to field their own armies.

Kingmakers will be coming to PC as an Early Access game. While there is no release date, Fisch also notes that the title will eventually also come to consoles.