Vaunted Announced: Tactical Sci-Fi RPG with Real-Time Action from the Creator of StarCraft

Hooded Horse and Lost Lake Games have announced Vaunted with a trailer: a tactical sci-fi RPG featuring three antiheroes that combines turn-based tactics with real-time action.

Imagine this: A disastrous expedition has ended in ruins, and the syndicate that funded it wants to hold you accountable. And your three antiheroes have nothing to show for themselves except a bunch of excuses and lies. This is exactly where Vaunted comes in, the debut title from Lost Lake Games, directed by James Phinney, co-creator of StarCraft and former lead designer of Guild Wars. About a thousand years after the fall of the last Galactic Empire, relics of the old power are scattered across the galaxy—and everyone wants them. As a trio of mismatched scoundrels, you battle your way through ruins, rivalries, and flamethrower-wielding robots to pull off the ultimate heist.

What makes Vaunted special: The game tells its story in three different ways. The game’s three main protagonists—Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath—each have their own version of events—and whose perspective is currently active determines which missions, secrets, and decisions are available to you. If a hero dies, you rewrite the current chapter from a different perspective. Every lie that is exposed opens up new storylines. A narrative system that feels fresh with every playthrough. A pretty interesting approach.

Vaunted’s combat system combines turn-based tactics with dynamic real-time elements: During your turn, you can take cover, adjust your line of sight, or blow enemies up with a grenade—and then riddle them with bullets before they hit the ground. With no fixed order of initiative, you and your opponent take turns freely. Flanking, setting traps, special abilities, and even magic are all part of your tactical repertoire.