From Press Release:
Kyiv, Ukraine — August 19, 2026. Starni Games and publisher Palaye today revealed STEEL CORE, a tactical turn-based strategy where players build giant mechs, turn vulnerable mining outposts into fortresses, and defend them against alien swarms.
The reveal trailer is out now, and STEEL CORE is available to wishlist on Steam.
Players work as contractors for Galactic Mining Industries, protecting Xenoridium operations on hostile worlds. Every mission follows the same unforgiving schedule: build by day, deploy at dusk, fight through the night.
Before each attack, players divide limited resources between constructing and upgrading their mech squad, reinforcing the base, researching new technology, and keeping the mining operation powered. Once night falls, those decisions are tested in turn-based grid combat as the swarm tries to break through and destroy the outpost.
Each mech is assembled from individual parts and can carry up to four weapons, enabling everything from high-precision sniper builds to jetpack-equipped flankers and mechs equipped with two flamethrowers at once.
STEEL CORE’s roguelite campaign moves across jungles, ice basins, lava lakes, and acid pools, introducing new enemies, hazards, and apex predators along the way.
STEEL CORE is scheduled for release in Q1 2027.
Key Features
Build Your Mechs Piece by Piece. Chassis, arms, legs, shoulder mounts, internal cartridges, micro-modules, and up to four weapons per machine. Parts come in rarity grades and perks roll differently on every mech, so two squads built from the same parts bin rarely play the same.
Fight Tactical Turn-Based Battles. Spend action points, work firing lines around terrain and your own units, arc grenades over cover, and lay down flame walls and toxic smoke. The strongest weapons are the ones that make you stand somewhere dangerous.
Turn Mining Outposts Into Fortresses. Walls, gates, watchtowers your mechs can climb and fire from, automated turrets, power plants, drilling rigs. Every resource spent on defenses is a resource not spent on the squad.
Build by Day, Fight by Night. Prepare while the sun is up, study the incoming attack at dusk, then hold the line until morning.
Survive an Escalating Roguelite Campaign. Travel between hostile planets and moons where each environment brings deadlier enemies, new hazards, and a boss that changes how the fight works. Research carries over. So does the difficulty.
Make the Budget Work. Resources are always short, and so is power — every night you decide which buildings stay online. Harvest Fibonite from dead aliens to make your machines stronger.
About Starni Games
Starni Games is a game development studio founded in 2013. The team focuses on creating thought-provoking games with immersive gameplay experiences.
About Palaye
Palaye is a Ukraine-based communications and publishing agency that helps game developers reach and grow their audiences. We collaborate with developers on PR and marketing, and host in-house industry events such as Indie Cup and the Ukrainian Games Festival.
