What if the soldiers in your strategy game were more than disposable units? In KORYOS: Sons of Mars, solo developer CosmicTwin is building a Roman-era war game that moves between an overhead commander’s perspective and fighting directly alongside your troops.
From strategy map to front line
Set against the Gallic Wars, KORYOS lets players issue tactical orders, command formations and then switch to first-person combat. The goal is to make both the wider battle plan and individual encounters matter, rather than separating them into different games.
Conquer territory, defend what you hold
Capturing land is only part of the challenge. The developer describes fortifications, resource gathering, supply lines and siege warfare, with defending territory as important as taking it. Soldiers also have persistent names and careers, gaining experience and promotions as they survive battles.
An early proof of concept
The Steam page openly describes the current playtest as a very early proof of concept. The full game has no announced release date, and players can request access to the playtest through Steam. This is a project to watch develop, not a finished release.
Why we’re watching
Moving from a general’s view into the fighting is an ambitious idea for a solo project. More interesting still is the emphasis on individual soldiers whose careers continue across battles. If those systems come together, KORYOS could give its strategy an unusually personal edge.
Request playtest access or wishlist: KORYOS: Sons of Mars on Steam.
Editorial note: This First Signal feature is based on the developer’s public Steam listing and is not a hands-on review. Official game artwork: CosmicTwin. The developer discloses the use of AI tools for technical assistance and some assets on Steam; this article does not use AI-generated editorial imagery.