Hardlane Studio has released Outcast Tales, a post-apocalyptic tactical RPG, for free on Steam. The game launched on October 26, 2026, for Windows and Linux, offering a complete single-player adventure without microtransactions, paid DLC or supporter packs. Published by Inner Pocket, the game combines turn-based combat with personality-driven party interactions and branching story outcomes.
The developers confirmed the full release through an official Steam announcement, explaining that players can experience the complete game without spending money. Rather than introducing optional paid content, Hardlane Studio is encouraging players to support the project by leaving honest Steam reviews and recommending it to others.
Outcast Tales takes players into a hostile wasteland populated by mutants, raiders and other threats. Players assemble a three-character party from a roster of adventurers, each possessing different abilities and personality traits. These characteristics influence how party members interact, respond to decisions and perform during encounters.
Character personalities are central to the experience. A support-oriented Technomancer might work effectively as a Pacifist, while assigning that personality to a Mercenary could create a different set of complications. Party members can develop friendships, rivalries and romantic relationships, with their interactions affecting both the narrative and tactical encounters.
Combat follows a turn-based system in which players must consider their characters’ abilities, upgrade their skills and adapt to challenging battles. The game also incorporates roguelite progression, encouraging repeated playthroughs with different party compositions and decisions.
The full release expands the experience beyond its earlier demo. According to the developers’ October 26 launch announcement, Outcast Tales now features 15 endings, including 13 additional conclusions unavailable in the demo. Some endings reveal more about the game’s post-apocalyptic world, while others introduce encounters with additional bosses. Certain outcomes depend on the personalities assigned to party members, rather than narrative decisions alone.
The launch also introduces the Alchemist as a recruitable character. This class uses experimental mixtures that can sacrifice health while providing defensive benefits to allies, adding another option for constructing a party.
Players who previously tried the Steam demo can transfer their progress and unlocks into the full version automatically. This allows returning players to continue their adventure without restarting their progression.
Outcast Tales supports both Windows and native Linux, although its official Steam Deck compatibility status remains unconfirmed. The game currently offers English and Russian language support, with the developers inviting community volunteers to help translate it into additional languages.
The release adds another party-based tactical RPG to Steam’s catalogue, alongside upcoming projects such as WANE, an occult tactical roguelike built around three-character parties. Outcast Tales distinguishes itself through its emphasis on character personalities, relationship-driven consequences and entirely free distribution.
Hardlane Studio has reiterated that it does not plan to sell DLC or supporter packs. The developers intend to keep the complete experience freely accessible, with community feedback and word-of-mouth recommendations serving as the primary ways players can support the project.
