A Sharp and Kitfox Games have set a 8 September 2026 release date for Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, a tactical narrative RPG with branching encounters and party customisation from the creators of King of Dragon Pass and Six Ages
A Sharp and Kitfox Games have officially announced that Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists will release on 8 September 2026. This tactical narrative RPG, developed by the team behind King of Dragon Pass and Six Ages, promises a blend of party-based strategy and branching storylines set across a series of myth-inspired underworlds. The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer, offering a first look at the game's distinctive hand-painted art and anthology structure.
Release Date and Platforms
Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists is scheduled for a global digital launch on 8 September 2026. The game will be available on PC via Steam, with no other platforms confirmed at this stage. The release date was revealed through an official announcement from A Sharp and Kitfox Games, and is supported by a new trailer now live on the game's Steam page. There is currently no information regarding early access, console versions, or physical editions.
Gameplay Structure and Features
Players will assemble a customisable party, each member possessing unique skills and traits, to tackle a series of dynamic narrative encounters. The game features over 280 branching scenarios, with each decision affecting both the party's survival and the unfolding story. Encounters offer multiple solutions, encouraging risk-taking or cautious play depending on the situation. The anthology format draws on the work of eight different writers, with each underworld presenting its own visual style and set of challenges. Replayability is emphasised, as party composition and mission objectives change with each playthrough.
Development Context and Evidence
Thousand Hells is set in a standalone fantasy world, distinct from the studio's previous Glorantha-based projects. The game's narrative is structured as a series of mythic journeys, with the player's choices shaping both the fate of their party and the outcome of each contract assigned by the mysterious Ambassador. The official trailer showcases hand-painted illustrations and hints at a variety of underworld settings, but does not provide unedited gameplay footage. As with other recent narrative-driven releases, such as the newly launched No More Room in Hell 2 which introduced cross-play and new modes (see our coverage here), Thousand Hells appears to prioritise replayability and player-driven outcomes. However, no independent hands-on impressions or technical performance details have been released at this stage.
Branching narrative games like Thousand Hells rely on player choice to drive replayability and story variation. In these titles, each decision can lead to different outcomes, character developments, or even entirely new story paths. This structure encourages multiple playthroughs, as players experiment with different party compositions and approaches to encounters. However, the complexity of branching narratives can also make it difficult to predict how choices will affect later events, and not all paths may be equally developed or balanced. For players, understanding how these systems work is key to appreciating the depth and limitations of the experience.
