Battle Brothers Steam Early Access, Update 0.4.0.20-28, One Video, and Three Screenshots is Now Available

On the 27th April Battle Brothers developed by Overhype Studios got released on Steam Early Access, I mentioned it on Twitter on release but I finally got around to writing a bit about it. The game is a strategy RPG similar in vain to UFO: Enemy Unknown/X-COM, and Mount & Blade: Warband. It is already a very good even in it’s currently early build state.

Video:
Battle Brothers Early Access Trailer.

Battle Brothers can be bought in three editions: Basic Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Supporter Edition from £14.99/$20.00 to £29.99/$39.99. Each edition varies in what they offer but if you just want the game just get Basic, if want the soundtrack get Deluxe and if you want to support the developers and get the soundtrack, a lore book and a special in-game item then get the Supporter Edition. I bought the Basic Edition but I will probably upgrade it at some point.

Basic Edition
“This includes the game in its current Early Access version and all future updates up to and including the full game release. It comes at a cost of 19.99$ – depending on region, your price may vary slightly.”

Deluxe Edition
“The deluxe edition includes the game in its current Early Access version and all future updates up to and including the full game release. Additionally, all buyers will receive the complete Battle Brothers soundtrack as a digital download once it is finished and released. The difference in price to the basic edition will go directly to the fine musicians who are creating all the music for Battle Brothers. It comes at a cost of 24.99$ – depending on region, your price may vary slightly.”

Supporter Edition
“For those of you who really want to support us in the future development of Battle Brothers we also offer the Supporter Edition. Like the Deluxe Edition, this includes both the game itself and the soundtrack. In addition, you’ll get a digital lore book with a lot of background info about the world and its inhabitants, as well as our very first legendary item in the game, complete with a look of its own and a unique background story: The Fangshire. The Supporter Edition comes at $39.99 – keep in mind this price is not about the additional content you get, but a chance for you to support further development of Battle Brothers if this is a project you truly believe in.”

It is worth noting that the soundtrack which is very good and the lore book aren’t completed yet.

Screenshots:
(Click an image to see a larger version).

Updates:
Update 0.4.0.20

• Fixed crash on loading a save from inside the campaign under some circumstances.
• Fixed crash related to entity placement at the beginning of combat in tight spaces.
• Fixed that the game could freeze later on in a campaign when enemy factions were running out of names for new camps and fortresses they built.
• Fixed error in preloading of scripts that could cause all manner of problems.
• Fixed edge-of-screen scrolling not working correctly on the world map.

Read rest of the patch notes here.

Update 0.4.0.22

• Fixed crash on killing charging orcs with the Spearwall skill.
• Fixed crash on using special characters in save game names.
• Fixed bug that had the game not continue when AI moves in combat under certain circumstances.
• Fixed bug that could leave the player stuck when pressing Escape just after ordering a retreat.
• Fixed combat potentially not ending when mercenaries would reach the maximum character level.

Read rest of the patch notes here.

Update 0.4.0.24

• Fixed crash on viewing the Footwork skill tooltip on the world map.
• Fixed crash on viewing the Killing Frenzy effect tooltip.
• Fixed UI issue with the Exterminate Beasts contract.
• Fixed Indomitable skill not being usable.
• Fixed Perfect Focus effect not being removed correctly.

Read rest of the patch notes here.

Update 0.4.0.26

• Fixed crash on using the Swing or Split skills under specific circumstances.
• Fixed rare case of UI vanishing.
• Fixed overlay not being cleared correctly on entering the character screen while having a skill selected in combat.
• Fixed offhand remaining blocked when a two-handed weapon would break in combat.
• Fixed Debilitate skill not working as intended.

Read rest of the patch notes here.

Update 0.4.0.28

• Fixed compatibility issues with some video cards.
• Fixed rare crash on using the Rotation skill.
• Fixed game locking up on orcs charging a caravan donkey.
• Fixed issue with Discover Location contract.
• Fixed issue with combatants spawning at unreachable tiles on forest maps. Probably needs further attention.

Read rest of the patch notes here.

Overhype Studios have been updating the game nearly every day since release which you don’t see much now a days on Steam Early Access. A lot of developers and publishers put basically complete games on Early Access and don’t do much with them and then release it. Battle Brothers is the type of project that suits Early Access as the foundations are in place which can be built upon with the help of the community.

Battle Brothers may seem like a very hard game at the beginning but there are three difficulty settings and once you played it a bit you will get better. At the moment in my main game I have survived about 30 days and leveled up my mercenaries quite a bit, the highest mercenary is currently is at level 7. The game still needs a lot of work as the games balance can be too hard at the start and easier later. However even where I am I can still get wiped out if I don’t use tactics and/or take on a larger force.

At the moment Battle Brothers is more of an open world exploration and survival type game as their isn’t any story apart from building up your mercenary company but expect that to change in the future. Despite that I like how you are free to explore and discover new places by yourself and do what you want like in Mount & Blade: Warband.

I will most likely write-up more about Battle Brothers in the future and do some guides too but in the meantime I would recommend people buy and play the game.