Dirt & Viscera: The Great War is a real-time roguelike strategy game set during the Western Front of World War I. Players manage trench defenses and timed offensives using limited resources in a grim, top-down environment where terrain changes permanently from artillery and flamethrowers.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on two separate economies that force constant trade-offs. Cards determine which units become available to field, while requisition points control what can be purchased and placed in the current moment. Available forces range from basic riflemen and machine guns to specialized options like snipers, flamethrowers, trench raiders, Mark IV tanks, gas attacks, walking barrages, and biplane strafing runs. Units are positioned directly in the mud, where barbed wire affects movement for both sides and artillery craters reshape the battlefield over time.
Timing the advance defines every run. Defending the trench provides safety but leads to eventual defeat as enemy pressure builds. Blowing the whistle sends forces across open ground into prepared defenses, where losses mount quickly if the push occurs too soon or too late. The environment remembers prior actions, with fallen soldiers remaining visible and subsequent barrages further altering the landscape and remains.
Procedural generation and persistent changes keep each attempt distinct. Abstract soldier figures and blood decals convey violence without realistic detail, paired with gallows humor that underscores the futility and dark comedy of the situation.
Game Modes
The campaign follows an FTL-style structure across four sectors. Players select routes between positions, each offering specific upgrades, and accumulate a pool of roughly seventy upgrades with about half earned through in-run actions. Eight commanders are available, each tied to a doctrine that shapes available options. Difficulty settings and optional hardship mutators increase challenge and rewards. The campaign concludes against a super-heavy land cruiser advancing on the final trench.
Endless mode shifts focus to survival against an ever-growing horde. Capturing enemy trenches advances the front line to new ground, while losing ground forces a retreat to the reserve line. An upgrade is drafted after each successful capture. Runs can be suspended and resumed at any point, allowing players to pursue personal bests over repeated attempts.
Progression and Upgrades
Upgrades accumulate across a run and influence future unit draws, placement efficiency, and defensive capabilities. The branching map encourages experimentation with different routes and commander choices to build stronger combinations. Hardship mutators add layers of restriction or increased enemy strength for those seeking greater difficulty and corresponding rewards.
Resource management remains central throughout. Card draws introduce variability in available tools, while requisition spending requires careful timing to avoid being caught without funds during critical moments. This system rewards adaptation rather than rigid planning.
Is It Worth Playing?
Dirt & Viscera: The Great War targets players who enjoy roguelike decision-making combined with real-time strategy elements in a historical setting. The emphasis on timing the single offensive push, managing dual economies, and adapting to procedural changes creates a focused experience centered on trench warfare mechanics. The grim tone and humor provide a distinct atmosphere without relying on graphic realism.
With no microtransactions and a complete single-player focus, the game suits those interested in short-to-medium campaign runs and longer Endless sessions. The planned November 2026 release means current interest centers on the described systems rather than live player data. Fans of card-driven unit selection and persistent battlefield alteration will find the core loop matches the provided details closely.