Dead Weight from Klukva Games is an ambitious tactical roguelite blending Into the Breach, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Lovecraftian steampunk. After completing the demo prologue and sampling playtest builds, our takeaway is clear: the game already distinguishes itself through Abyss combat and atmosphere, while fuel balance and one-action-per-turn limitations need the polish Klukva promises before the July 16, 2026 Steam launch at $12.99.
Publisher Spaghetti Cat backs a project with over 120,000 wishlists — remarkable for a grid-based indie. The demo's 40–60 minutes and 20+ skills deliver enough depth to judge whether this genre fusion fits your taste before spending money.
This is a pre-release preview based on demo and playtest access, not a final scored review of launch code.
What Works
- Tight grid tactics — every turn matters; Abyss kills feel rewarding and skill-expressive.
- Art and tone — steampunk sky pirates, Aluza, and Insid create memorable flavor.
- Arn vs Berry — contrasting kits prove four-character launch potential.
- Value proposition — $12.99 with a free demo lowers purchase risk.
- Localization — solid multi-language support including full English VO.
What Needs Work
- Fuel tuning can soft-lock demo players — acknowledged by developers.
- Single-action turns frustrate against goblin packs — AP overhaul incoming.
- Berry locked behind playtest — public demo undersells the roster diversity.
Verdict
Wishlist and play the demo if tactical roguelites, environmental kills, or sky pirate lore appeal to you. Foundations are strong; July 2026 updates should address the sharpest friction points. Start with our getting started guide, demo guide, and release date page.
Compared to other Into the Breach-likes, Dead Weight invests heavily in narrative and meta layers — ship fuel, madness, god bargains — that pure puzzle tactics games skip. That breadth is either the selling point or the complication depending on your tastes. After 40–60 demo minutes you will know which camp you occupy. Either way, the Abyss push mechanic alone is worth the free download for tactics fans curious about what Klukva Games and Spaghetti Cat are building toward full release.
Watch the embedded preview video above for gameplay footage alongside this written assessment — together they give a fuller picture than either medium alone before you wishlist or buy.