Solo developer creates unusual strategy about city-sized flying battleship

Developer benkimchi is working on DREADNOUGHT TARTARUS – a semi-automated strategic simulation where players control a massive warship relentlessly advancing across battlefields and destroying everything in its path. The game already has a Steam page, with release expected in Q3 2026 – a demo should arrive in approximately two months.

Set in 2057, an unidentified hovering dreadnought of colossal scale suddenly appears in Earth's orbit. Its size rivals that of a moving city, and its firepower is capable of erasing entire metropolitan areas. Humanity has no time to understand the object's origin – war begins immediately.

Players take command of the dreadnought TARTARUS and confront occupied or rogue urban defense systems, human military forces, gigantic monsters and anomalous lifeforms, as well as extraterrestrial civilization invasion units.

TARTARUS is not a fixed unit but a constantly evolving war machine. The developer offers free configuration of every major battleship system – from hull structures and functional modules to different types of main cannons, missiles, and super weapons, including carrier-based fighters and support units.

Combat unfolds not as a series of isolated missions but as a continuous campaign across a strategic map. Before entering a war zone, players must plan their route and objectives: select priority targets and regions, choose high-risk high-reward paths, adjust tactical configurations based on enemies and terrain. Strategic decisions determine how the war unfolds.

Among recent updates, benkimchi showcased the first version of an overdrive system, allowing short-duration speed increases, enemy ramming, and enhanced defensive capabilities. Separate hangars and manual control for carrier-based fighters and mechs are also in development. Event design draws inspiration from Stellaris, promising depth to the strategic layer.

The game can currently be added to the Steam wishlist.