V1.15040(2021) - Wartales

Released in late 2021, marked the beginning of Shiro Games ' gritty open-world tactical RPG journey in Steam Early Access . While the game has since evolved into a massive 1.0 release, this specific early build established the core pillars that would define the mercenary experience. The World of Edoran: A Plague-Ridden Frontier

: Mercenaries could be customized with various attributes and traits. Reaching specific level milestones (3, 5, 7, etc.) allowed players to choose between specializations—turning a basic sword-swinger into a Protector, Knight, or Sword Master. WARTALES V1.15040(2021)

: The visual design emphasized a "grimy" medieval aesthetic, where characters look like they haven't seen a wash in months and secrets are tucked away in every abandoned farm or tower. Tactical Combat and Progression Released in late 2021, marked the beginning of

: Injuries, such as concussions that halved constitution, required immediate medical attention to prevent permanent impairment. Camp Management: The Heart of Your Troop Reaching specific level milestones (3, 5, 7, etc

: You aren't a chosen hero; you are the leader of a band of sellswords trying to survive.

: Beyond humans, players could even recruit ponies for carrying capacity or eventual combat support. Why This Build Mattered