Dying Breed Brings Back ’90s RTS Chaos—with FMV, Amphibious Warfare, and a Thumping Soundtrack

This RTS throwback caught my eye for all the right reasons

We’ve seen plenty of “RTS is back” pitches, but MicroProse and indie studio Sarnayer announcing Dying Breed feels different. It’s not just nostalgia bait-it’s a deliberate swing at the golden age: fast base-building, live-action FMV, amphibious/air/land assaults, and a ‘90s electro-metal soundtrack. It launches October 7, 2025 on PC, and yes, the pitch screams Command & Conquer energy with a post-apocalyptic twist (zombies, rival factions, retro-futuristic tech). That mix could be glorious chaos-if the fundamentals land.

Key Takeaways

• Classic RTS pacing-build fast, strike faster—plus combined land/air/sea warfare is ambitious for an indie team.
• Live-action FMV and a crunchy ’90s soundtrack aim to nail that C&C-meets-grindhouse vibe.
• Zombies are here, but the real test is whether rival factions and tech trees add long-term depth.
• PC-only on Oct 7, 2025; press and creators can request early review keys from MicroProse.

Breaking down the announcement

Dying Breed is positioning itself as a “golden-age RTS revival,” developed by Sarnayer and published by MicroProse, with a PC launch on October 7, 2025. The feature set reads like a time capsule in the best way: quick base expansions, brutal skirmishes, amphibious assaults alongside air raids and ground pushes, and live-action FMV cutscenes to stitch the story together. The tone promises tongue-in-cheek pulp—retro-futuristic hardware smashing into undead hordes—scored by chugging, electro-metal riffs. If you grew up rushing War Factories and queuing tanks to Hell March, you know the exact flavor they’re chasing.

MicroProse backing this matters. Since the label’s revival, it has quietly supported tactically minded PC games (Regiments fans know the score), and that track record suggests Dying Breed won’t be afraid of crunchy systems. Press and creators can already request early review keys, which hints at some confidence and a push to get gameplay in front of strategy diehards ahead of launch.

The real story for RTS fans

The headline features are cool, but what actually matters at the mouse-and-APM level?

• Combined arms done right: Land/air/sea warfare sounds amazing until pathfinding melts down on shorelines and transports. If Sarnayer nails naval landings, choke-point beachheads, and synchronized air cover, that’s the kind of tactical sandbox that keeps skirmishes fresh for hundreds of hours.
• Speed with clarity: “Fast-paced base-building” is only fun if the UI is snappy—instant build queues, readable silhouettes, aggressive hotkeys, proper control groups, and clear counter relationships. The best 90s RTS games were lightning-quick because they respected your time.
• FMV that sets tone, not just meme fuel: Camp is part of the charm, but those cutscenes need to pull their weight—briefings that teach mechanics, villains you love to hate, and mission twists that justify unit unlocks. Think early C&C: goofy, sure, but also effective scaffolding.
• Soundtrack with teeth: A ‘90s electro-metal score can be more than vibes. Smart dynamic layering—heavy during assaults, tense and sparse during scouting—goes a long way in selling the fantasy.

I’m cautiously optimistic about the zombies. Hordes make great pressure valves, but they can flatten strategy if they’re just a constant attrition tax. The pitch mentions rival factions and retro-futuristic tech—if those deliver distinct playstyles and tech spikes (e.g., amphibious stealth insertions vs. brute-force armor pushes), the undead become environmental chaos rather than the only threat.

Context: where Dying Breed fits in the RTS revival

We’re in a quiet RTS resurgence. Big names are modernizing the genre’s esports edge, while several C&C-inspired projects chase that chunky, explosive, base-rushing fun. Dying Breed plants its flag in the latter camp, distinguishing itself with fully committed FMV and three-theater combat. That combo gives it a different flavor than the survival-leaning zombie RTS trend and the macro-heavy historical sims. It’s aiming squarely at the “build, boom, laugh at the absurdity, and hit next mission” crowd—my people.

Questions the devs need to answer before launch

• Skirmish and AI: Is there a robust skirmish mode with adjustable AI personalities and difficulty? RTS longevity lives and dies here.
• Mission design: Are we getting naval landings, multi-front defenses, timed evacuations, and infiltration ops—not just “build base, steamroll” repeats?
• Quality of life: Full hotkey remapping, formation controls, rally/waypoint queuing, readable zoom levels, and fast save/load are must-haves in 2025.
• Performance and pathfinding: Amphibious transitions and large unit counts can dirty up CPU time. How stable is it on mid-range rigs?
• Post-launch support: Skins and nostalgia are cute, but balance patches, skirmish maps, and, if possible, mod hooks will keep this alive.
• Multiplayer: Even a simple custom lobby with basic modes would boost replayability. If it’s campaign-only, the bar for mission variety gets higher.

MicroProse’s recent strategy output suggests they understand PC-first expectations. If Sarnayer delivers the fundamentals and MicroProse backs it with steady updates, Dying Breed could be more than a retro postcard—it could be the RTS comfort food we actually keep installed.

TL;DR

Dying Breed launches October 7, 2025 on PC and goes all-in on 90s RTS swagger: fast base-building, land/air/sea warfare, FMV, zombies, and a metal-tinged soundtrack. I’m excited—but the make-or-break is pathfinding, UI speed, skirmish depth, and mission variety. Press and creators can already request early keys, which bodes well. If the fundamentals hit, this could be the year’s most joyful RTS throwback.