Bloodgrounds is a strategy game from the Croatian studio Exordium Games that combines battle management, tactical grid planning, and the permanent death of gladiators. This game places the player in the role of a patron, the owner of a gladiatorial school with a motive for revenge, but the story discreetly follows your progress without revealing key details.
The main part of Bloodgrounds consists of tournament battles on the grid. Every decision can be crucial. You choose whether to move, use powers, or wait for a better moment. Actions and movement consume energy that replenishes at the start of each turn, so every decision is important. Moves often require optimization. Use the power immediately or wait for a better position, get closer to the opponent and take a risk or stay safe; it’s all a matter of tactics. Each gladiator brings their own powers and traits, sometimes an advantage, sometimes a disadvantage, as well as equipment that affects the team's effectiveness. The audience can surprise you with their wishes during battles, and fulfilling those requests earns you extra rewards.
In addition to battles, Bloodgrounds allows for city development. You can invest in a hospital for the wounded, a marketplace for equipment, or an academy for additional powers. Each upgrade strengthens the team and opens new possibilities. The game does not overwhelm you with complex menus. You simply follow what you need, but the options you unlock provide real space for thought. Some decisions require a bit more consideration, and each upgrade can completely change the way you play and build your team.
Death is a serious matter in Bloodgrounds. When your gladiator falls, there is no turning back. You lose both equipment and experience, everything you have invested. Because of this, every move is made carefully, and every good plan pays off when the battle goes awry. The game is currently in Early Access, but even now it provides a very good feeling and plenty of content for strategy enthusiasts. The team is constantly working on new improvements, so the game grows week by week.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Daedalic Entertainment
