While still very much in its infancy, Menace is quickly proving to be an excellent addition to the turn-based tactics genre. When the game first deployed into its sci-fi universe in March, writer Jonathan Bolding was effusive in his praise for its core mechanics. "I can't stress enough how much fun Menace's core strategy play is, even with a few early access quibbles," he noted, highlighting how the game simplifies complex wargaming into a faster-paced experience without losing simulation depth.

Now, Menace's first major early access update has arrived to address those very concerns. The 'Redacted' update, released earlier this week, goes much further than simple bug fixes, fundamentally reshaping several core features and mechanics.

Saying Goodbye to the Promotion Tax

The most significant change in this patch is the complete removal of one of the community's most disliked features: the promotion tax. This mechanic was widely criticized for making unit progression feel like a setback rather than an achievement.

"This not so popular mechanic made sense from a game design perspective, but was very frustrating to engage with," developer Overhype Studios explained. They noted that the extra cost often turned promotions into a punishment and could ruin planned loadouts. To balance this removal, the developers have increased squaddie supply costs across all ranges while simultaneously reducing the base supply costs for squads.

Battlefield Manipulation and the Construct Overhaul

Beyond system removals, the 'Redacted' update introduces new ways to interact with the environment. In addition to cutting through fences, units can now remove wrecked vehicles from the map. While this may seem minor now, Overhype Studios believes it will be vital for upcoming urban maps.

The update also features a massive rework of the Constructs, the game's cyborg faction. Developers admitted the faction was "severely lacking in uniqueness, variety and style" and have since reorganized their stats and skills.

Key Changes to the Construct Faction:

  • Drones: These cannon fodder units are now easier to kill but will appear in much larger groups.
  • Soldiers: Rocket attacks have been removed from their arsenal, making them more vulnerable to heavy vehicles.
  • Guncrawlers: This unit has been buffed with a new rocket launcher, making them a significantly larger threat.
  • New High-Tier Unit: The update introduces a powerful new support unit designed to shake up the meta.

As we look toward 2026, it is shaping up to be a landmark year for the tactics genre. Alongside the continued evolution of Menace, we are also anticipating the release of Star Wars: Zero Company, a title that promises a blend of Mass Effect and X-COM gameplay.