Overhype reveals the Space Pirate faction for Menace

The next title from Battle Brothers developer Overhype Studios and publisher Hooded Horse, Menace is one of the hottest strategy and tactics games expected to be released in 2025. In their latest blog post on Steam, the studio got into the nitty gritty of one of the game’s factions for the first time, detailing the Space Pirates players will be able to encounter in the Wayback System. What’s important is that factions like the Space Pirates are not exclusively enemies — players can get cozy with them, which even gains them access to their units and vehicles. As such, it will be of vital importance to know the strengths and weaknesses of each faction.

The Space Pirates are described as a highly mobile faction with motley crews using improvised weapons and vehicles. On the battlefield they are highly aggressive, bordering on recklessness.

Overhype stated that the Space Pirates’ weaponry is largely inaccurate due to its nature, but it packs a mighty punch and performs especially well while being used on the move. Their troops prefer to be transported close to the enemy on trucks and jeeps offering minimal protection — a tactical approach that players can exploit by setting up ambushes or hitting their foes while they disembark.

The standard Space Pirate infantry units are the Scavengers. Armed with makeshift rifles, frag grenades, and RPGs, they are a versatile, if undisciplined bunch designed to overwhelm foes.

More dangerous are Chain Gun Teams, which can effectively suppress enemy infantry to cover the advance of allied forces. Being well equipped to stop and board vehicles, the Space Pirates have access to EMP Gunners that are highly dangerous against mechanized forces.

The Space Pirates’ most dangerous ground force are their Boarding Commandos: Wearing heavy armor and weapons, they are absolutely lethal at close range thanks to their shotguns and grenades — it’s advisable to keep your distance from these rogues on the battlefield.

Aside from transport vehicles, the Space Pirates field several types of combat vehicles, all of the same improvised nature as their other gear. Rocket Trucks are highly mobile artillery pieces that can blanket an entire area with fire, though with very low accuracy. It’s also not very durable, so damaging it may lead its ammunition to explode. Chain Gun Trucks are a more mobile version of the footborne Chain Gun Team, while the heavier Laser Truck uses a repurposed starship gun to target down enemy vehicles. It needs to cool down between rounds, though. Finally, the Flame Truck is an excellent solution against entrenched infantry, though the same weakness as for the Rocket Truck applies — hit the gas tank and the entire thing goes boom.

Overhype Studios has previously named Warhammer 40,000 as a big inspiration for the game – both in terms of gameplay and setting – and it’s easy to find some parallels between the Space Pirates and 40k’s Orks here.

Menace is set to come to PC in Q3 of 2025.