Get ready to bleed for glory. Daedalic Entertainment has teamed up with Croatian studio Exordium Games to unveil Bloodgrounds, a brutal turn-based tactical RPG set in a dark fantasy world of corrupt empires, deadly arenas, and roguelite punishment. The game is headed to PC via Steam in 2025, but you can get an early taste with a free playable demo available now.
In Bloodgrounds, you play as a former slave-turned-patron who once fought in the pits but now commands squads of physical, ranged, and magical gladiators in a desperate quest for vengeance. Combat is unforgiving, deaths are permanent, and every decision — from who fights to how you manage your team — can change the trajectory of your rise through the blood-soaked tournaments of Marevento.
What to Expect in Bloodgrounds:
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Grid-Based Combat with Teeth
Strategic battles play out on a tactical grid where positioning, abilities, traps, consumables, and divine powers all matter. Think XCOM meets Darkest Dungeon, with bloodier results.
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Roguelite Stakes
When a gladiator dies, they’re gone for good — gear, experience, everything. That loss can spiral into total ruin… or fuel your drive to push harder with the survivors.
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Squad Management That Hurts So Good
Build and manage a roster of unique fighters, each with distinct class combos, traits, and backstories. Balance their trauma, injuries, and egos while chasing gold, glory, and revenge.
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Arena + Audience Mechanics
You’re not just fighting enemies — you’re playing to the crowd. Win their favor for bonus rewards, or dive into Marevento’s shady underworld to sabotage your opponents before the fight even begins.
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A World Steeped in Blood and Intrigue
Explore the noble court and criminal alleys of Marevento, where power games, betrayal, and your own dark past collide in a revenge story layered with choice and consequence.
The pixel art is grim and gorgeous, the gameplay is punishing but fair, and fans of Battle Brothers, Into the Breach, and Heroes of Might and Magic will feel right at home — if they can survive.
The Bloodgrounds demo is live on Steam right now and offers a brutal first look at what’s to come. You’ll lose gladiators. You’ll lose gear. You might even lose hope. But you’ll keep coming back for just one more run.