Project Haven stands out as a turn-based tactical strategy game blending RPG elements with indie flair, set in a gritty near-future world. Developed for PC, it puts you in charge of a mercenary squad navigating the dangers of Haven City, where survival hinges on smart decisions and precise combat.
Gameplay
In Project Haven, the core loop revolves around commanding the Steel Dragons mercenary team through intense, turn-based battles. You select and equip squads, then direct them in missions against various threats like gangsters and rival forces. Combat emphasizes tactical depth with free movement across environments, allowing mercs to navigate without grid restrictions.
Aiming is manual, using simulated projectiles that let you target specific body parts for effects such as reducing enemy accuracy by wounding arms or slowing movement with leg shots. Cover mechanics play a big role, where units can hunker down or lean out for shots. Stealth options enable silent takedowns, while abilities like throwing grenades, healing teammates, hacking locks, or breaching walls add layers to your approach.
Weapon handling feels realistic with magazine management, chambered rounds, and ammo types that influence penetration and damage based on caliber. Customization extends to modifying gear with attachments like suppressors for quiet operations or scopes for better long-range hits. As mercs gain experience, they level up, unlocking skills and attributes that shape roles from stealthy scouts to durable frontline fighters.
Game Modes
The game offers a story-driven solo campaign where you uncover the dark underbelly of Haven City through voiced dialogues and cinematics featuring motion-captured characters. This mode focuses on narrative progression, with missions that reveal mercenary lives and city secrets.
For multiplayer, Project Haven includes an online co-op campaign supporting up to four players, letting teams tackle the story together in turn-based fashion. Additionally, procedural skirmishes provide quick battles for one to four players, either against AI or friends, on generated maps that keep encounters fresh.
Story and Setting
Set in the sprawling megacity of Haven, the game paints a picture of desperation and corruption. You lead the Steel Dragons, a ragtag group of mercs with distinct personalities that influence team dynamics and story branches. Missions vary from high-stakes contracts to exploratory challenges, all woven into a campaign that explores themes of survival and moral choices in a dystopian urban landscape.
Enemies range from street gangs to government enforcers, each requiring adapted tactics. The narrative delivers through fully voiced interactions, highlighting the harsh realities faced by inhabitants and your crew.
Is It Worth Playing?
As an upcoming title with positive pre-release feedback from outlets like Kotaku and GameStar, Project Haven appeals to strategy enthusiasts who enjoy detailed turn-based combat similar to tactical RPGs. Its focus on squad management and modular mechanics suits players seeking depth without overwhelming complexity.
If you favor games with free-form movement and realistic ballistics in a cyberpunk setting, this could be a strong pick once released. The co-op elements add replay value for group play, though without user reviews yet, anticipation builds on its awards like the Epic MegaGrants and indie contest wins. For fans of mercenary-themed tactics, it promises a fresh take worth watching.
