Dagger Directive Brings Tactical Depth to Steam Early Access

MicroProse is primed to deploy its latest tactical FPS, Dagger Directive, to Steam Early Access on June 3, 2025. Developed by Arcane Alpacas LLC, this first-person shooter strikes a balance between modern tactical realism and globe-trotting campaign drama, letting players approach missions with meticulous planning or bold aggression—whatever gets the job done.

At launch, Dagger Directive will feature 15 missions spread across three international campaigns. You’ll lead Task Force Dagger through operations in the Bering Sea, South Pacific, and Eastern Europe, facing global threats that demand both brains and precision trigger fingers. The game promises nonlinear objectives, meaning you choose how, when, and where to infiltrate, strike, and extract—no two playthroughs need unfold the same way.

“Every mission offers tactical freedom. You can go loud, go silent, or steer a path right down the middle,” says lead developer Daniel Fowler. Expect a toolkit that includes drones, breaching charges, suppressed weapons, and a full day-night cycle for added tactical nuance. Ballistics are grounded in realism—gravity, velocity, and material penetration all come into play—so poor planning (or shoddy aim) could see your mission unravel fast.

Customization takes center stage, with over 25 primary weapons and a deep bench of attachments to fine-tune your loadout. Need to scout ahead? Deploy a surveillance drone. Prefer a more explosive entrance? Mines and breaching charges have you covered. Each operation offers multiple infiltration points and the option to tackle objectives by day or night—so your chosen gear and tactics really matter.

One of Dagger Directive’s standout features is its full co-op multiplayer, letting friends coordinate across entire campaigns. With the game’s sprawling maps and nonlinear mission design, teamwork and communication are as important as quick reflexes. It’s a formula reminiscent of genre favorites like Ready or Not and Ground Branch, but with an even broader narrative sweep and a visual style that tips its hat to MicroProse classics.

MicroProse’s heritage in deep simulation—from Gunship to X-COM—sets high expectations. While the Early Access version launches with three campaigns and 15 missions, the developers are keeping a robust post-launch roadmap under wraps for now, promising to refine and expand the game based on player feedback.

Will Dagger Directive’s Early Access build live up to its ambitious vision? That’s the question as June approaches. But for fans of tactical shooters craving authentic action, flexibility, and meaningful choices, this is a title well worth watching.

Dagger Directive arrives on Steam Early Access June 3, 2025. Suit up, plan your approach, and get ready to carve your own path through global operations.