Okay, file this under 'news I did not have on my 2025 bingo card.' Just when we thought the dark fantasy strategy genre was taking a nap, Kalypso Media and Artefacts Studio decided to drop a whole new Disciples game on us. Say hello to Disciples: Domination, which is apparently crash-landing onto our PCs and consoles in 2026. Not me actually being hyped for a comeback tour.
So, What's The Tea? ☕
Remember Avyanna from 2021's Disciples: Liberation? Well, she's back, and girlie is not having a good time. The new announcement trailer paints a pretty grim picture. It's been 15 years, and Avyanna is supposed to be running the kingdom, but she's apparently "paralyzed by fear and haunted by her own power." We love a relatable queen in her flop era. As if that's not enough drama, her allies are ghosting her, and some "unknown force" is out there spreading chaos. Classic Nevendaar behavior, tbh.
The whole vibe is 'my kingdom is crumbling, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.' Players will have to step in and basically keep everything from imploding. No pressure.
But Does it Play Good? A Vibe Check
The devs are promising to stick to the series' turn-based, grid-based combat, but they're whispering sweet nothings like "faster pacing" and "new unit synergies." This could mean they actually listened and are making combat less of a slog, or it could be marketing fluff. We're watching. 👀 The big news for old-school fans is the return of the dwarves of the Mountain Clans, one of five factions you'll be interacting with. Your choices will supposedly shape your rep with them, so try not to tick everyone off. The game also features real-time world traversal, so you can wander around Nevendaar before getting into yet another fight for your life.
The Deets You're Crying For
So you can prep your future budget, here's the lowdown. Disciples: Domination is coming to PC (via Steam, naturally), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Sorry last-gen besties, it's time to upgrade or cry. The release window is a vague 2026, so you have plenty of time to forget about it and then get hyped all over again.
Our Two Cents
Honestly, we didn't expect this announcement, but we're not mad at it. A return to the grimdark world of Nevendaar could be the perfect antidote to all the cozy games taking over. The real test will be whether the 'faster' combat actually feels good and if the story gives Avyanna the comeback arc she deserves.
If you, like us, are feeling a little bit tempted by the darkness, you can go wishlist Disciples: Domination on Steam right now. Go on, add another game to your pile of shame. You know you want to.
For more details, check out the official announcements on IGN and Gematsu.
