Brotherhood just launched on Steam and Switch — a brutal retro FPS with a few big caveats

Why Brotherhood’s launch matters to gamers right now

This caught my attention because Brotherhood promises a straight-up return to the razor-sharp, maze-like shooters of the 1990s at a price and scope that actually make sense: 24 large levels, 20+ enemy types, and a Switch release on November 26, 2025. FatCatGames isn’t trying to compete with AAA glitter – it’s doubling down on the part of FPS design that modern games often smooth away: exploration, secrets, and reflex-driven combat.

• Key takeaway 1: Brotherhood is a focused retro FPS that prioritizes level design and player skill over hand-holding.
• Key takeaway 2: The Switch release at $9.99 is a technical and market-smart move – portable retro shooters have traction.
• Key takeaway 3: The demo improvements and 24-level campaign give this more substance than many one-note indie throwbacks.
• Key takeaway 4: Expect niche appeal – speedrunners and purists will love it; players who want modern conveniences may not.

Breaking down the announcement — what’s actually here

FatCatGames has released Brotherhood on Steam (with a 15% launch discount), GOG for DRM-free buyers, and Nintendo Switch — the latter priced at $9.99. The full release is more than a polished prototype: it brings 24 substantial levels across thematic acts, nine weapon types, mutagen abilities, and over 20 enemy types. The studio also claims improvements from the demo and multiple language support.

Why this matters (and why you should care)

There’s been a steady appetite for retro FPS games that aren’t just nostalgia cosplay. Titles like Dusk, Ultrakill, and Prodeus proved that tight, fast-paced combat combined with clever level architecture can attract durable communities. Brotherhood matters because it isn’t a single-level tech demo — it ships with a full campaign sizeable enough to support speedrunning, challenge runs, and discovery-driven play.

Combat, mutagens and level design — the real meat

Combat is explicitly old-school: no objective markers, no hand-holding, and lethal environmental traps. That’s good news if you want tense encounters where ammo, positioning and line-of-sight matter. The roster of 20+ enemies and nine weapon types — from infinite-fire laser rifles to a curious “Butterfly” weapon — suggests the developers want players to adapt tactics rather than spam one gun. Mutagen abilities add a modern twist, but I want answers: how much do mutagens gate progression, and are they balanced or an easy “win” button?

Level design is the headline feature: labyrinthine maps, verticality, and secrets reward exploration. That’s the sort of architecture that encourages routing and optimization — perfect for speedrunners. But it’s also the risk: poorly telegraphed layouts can frustrate casual players who expect clearer goals. FatCatGames seems to have doubled down on tension between exploration and resource scarcity; whether that design feels fair or tedious will be the community’s verdict.

Switch port and technical concerns

Getting this kind of experience to the Switch is noteworthy — precise aiming and fast frame-rates matter in old-school shooters. The announcement brags optimization, but I’m cautious: how are frame-stability and input responsiveness on Joy-Cons? And will the Switch version receive parity updates with PC? PC players will also want to know about mod support and performance tuning; the GOG release is a plus for buyers who prefer DRM-free ownership.

Who should buy Brotherhood — and who shouldn’t

• Buy it if you love exploration-heavy retro FPSes, speedrunning, or want a budget-priced campaign with old-school bite.
• Skip it if you prefer modern conveniences like objective markers, accessibility options, or cinematic narratives.
• Be cautious if you rely on handheld controls for precision aiming — wait for player reports on Switch input fidelity.

TL;DR

Brotherhood is a promising, affordable retro FPS that nails maze-like level design and tense combat on paper. Its success will hinge on performance (especially on Switch), balance around mutagen abilities, and whether the community adopts it for runs and mods. If you’ve been craving a Wolfenstein-era throwback that refuses to coddle you, Brotherhood is worth a look — but don’t expect modern conveniences.