Ex Sanguis, the latest project from the team behind Othercide, is set for Steam Early Access on May 21. The game blends XCOM-style tactical combat with roguelite progression, challenging players to lead elite warriors, the Stillae, against forces of stasis threatening a dying world.
The reveal trailer emphasizes the game’s signature aesthetic: a striking palette of red, white, and black highlighting brutal, high-stakes battles.
Turn-based combat with tactical twists
Combat in Ex Sanguis centers on time manipulation and environmental strategy. Key systems include:
- Timeline Effects – accelerate, delay, or swap turns to gain advantages over foes
- Environmental Interactions – ignite enemies, explode objects, and block paths
- Tactical Positioning – use flanking, knock-backs, forced facing, and damage-over-time to dominate the battlefield
Players can chain these elements creatively, turning fights into dynamic, high-risk encounters where both preparation and adaptability are crucial.
Roguelite progression adds stakes and replayability
The game incorporates roguelite loops to reward risk and experimentation. Players earn Corrupted Blood from challenging encounters, which can be spent to:
- Access epic bosses earlier
- Upgrade Stillae squads through Map Events
As the player ventures further across the map, standard missions become progressively harder. Each playthrough presents new opportunities and threats, encouraging experimentation while carving long-term power from repeated victories and failures.
Early Access roadmap
Lightbulb Crew plans a six-month Early Access period focused on refinement and content expansion. Developers promise:
- Additional features and game modes based on player feedback
- Improved balance and performance
- Expanded content for progression and tactical options
The Early Access phase is designed to let the community shape the game, while ensuring the core systems—turn-based strategy, environmental tactics, and roguelite loops—remain polished and engaging.
Looking ahead
Ex Sanguis positions itself as a blood-soaked, strategic roguelite for players who enjoy XCOM-style combat with high replayability and emergent battlefield interactions. Steam Early Access launches May 21, 2026, offering a first chance to lead the Stillae against a world in decay while experimenting with time, space, and tactical ingenuity.
