A new gameplay trailer for medieval real-time strategy game The Valiant has been uploaded displaying some of its singleplayer and multiplayer gameplay elements. THQ Nordic's recent showcase event highlighted many interesting upcoming titles, with The Valiant being a particularly enticing reveal for fans of the strategy genre hoping for something new.
THQ Nordic's The Valiant was first announced earlier this year with an impressive CGI trailer, although no gameplay was shown at the time, leaving viewers curious as to how the game would actually play out. The Valiant is a squad-based real-time strategy game focused on tactical battles similar to previous THQ-published strategy games like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and the critically acclaimed World War 2 strategy game Company of Heroes. Players command individual squads including "hero" units with unique and customizable abilities that will be familiar elements to fans of Dawn of War 2.
The new gameplay trailer uploaded by THQ Nordic has finally provided gamers with a first look at how The Valiant's gameplay works in a variety of modes as well as a look at some of the narrative aspects of the campaign. Players will command squads of crusaders across Europe during the fifth crusade in the 1200s. Mission selection takes place on a world map screen where players can decide on their next deployment, similar to tactics games like XCOM. Players can choose from a variety of heroes, which can be leveled up and point allocated to a number of different skill trees that determine how the unit will function in combat.
On the multiplayer front, some co-op gameplay was revealed in the form of a wave-based defensive battle where players team up to hold out as long as possible against the oncoming horde, using special abilities to support one another. This mode will likely require some strong coordination and communication in order to make it through the more difficult waves. Competitive multiplayer skirmishes will also be available, with players capturing structures and control points to dominate the map much like Company of Heroes' multiplayer. Ranged units, cavalry, and melee units are all present in what appears to be a rock-paper-scissors style of unit selection.
No release date has been announced for The Valiant yet, and although THQ Nordic has said that it is "coming soon," it's not certain if that means the game will be available before 2023. The Valiant is certainly something to look forward to as one of the few strategy games coming to consoles.
The Valiant is currently in development and will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.