The Lamplighters League (2023)

Recruit a team of misfits with unique abilities and unforgettable personalities, and chase the Banished Court to the ends of the earth in a mix of real-time infiltration, turn-based tactical combat, and a character-driven story of adventure and intrigue.

The Lamplighters League is a promising new title from Harebrained Schemes, the creators of the acclaimed Shadowrun Trilogy and BATTLETECH. Delving into an inventive alternate 1930s setting, players skirmish against a nefarious cult, the Banished Court, on the brink of world domination.

In a shift from the typical theme of virtuous heroes, The Lamplighters League tasks players with mustering a team of charming “misfits and scoundrels.” This “best of the worst” lineup showcases a range of unique abilities and vibrant personalities. From real-time infiltrations to turn-based tactical combat, the mixed gameplay mechanics demand strategic planning and maneuvering, making every decision consequential.

The Lamplighters League Deluxe Edition provides access to the base game, the exclusive character Nocturne, the game’s original musical score composed by Jon Everist, and a digital art book presenting the game’s remarkable visual design. Nocturne caters an added layer of gameplay mechanics, boasting teleportation and lethal shock attacks that diversify combat encounters.

Furthermore, the game gives players a chance to traverse various global locales — dockyards, deserts, dense urban jungles — while challenging them to keep pace with the ever-looming threat of the Banished Court. Intriguingly, choices at a global level bear significant impact on mission outcomes and your team’s development, introducing an element of urgency and playing up the stakes.

The Lamplighters League aims to entangle players in a supernatural web of adventure and intrigue by blending story-driven exploration, real-time stealth, and engaging tactical combat. However, it remains to be seen how well these individual elements will mesh into a cohesive whole. As it stands, The Lamplighters League is an engaging proposition, ideally suited to those seeking strategy, nuanced storytelling, and charismatic rogues in their gaming experiences.