Master of Piece Enters Steam Early Access This February

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Independent studio I M GAME has announced that its award-winning strategy game Master of Piece will enter Steam Early Access on February 4, 2026. The game blends the careful thinking of chess with the replay-driven structure of a roguelike deckbuilder. Interest in the project is already strong, with more than 30,000 wishlists and over 22,000 demo downloads.

The game is set in a dark medieval world slowly being swallowed by a strange black fog. Players take the role of a commander leading a group of mercenaries across a broken land. Instead of cards, you place chess-like mercenary pieces onto a grid-based board. The controls are easy to understand, relying on simple drag-and-drop actions, but the deeper systems reward careful planning.

In Early Access, you will return between runs to a central Garrison, where you can build new facilities and unlock permanent upgrades that expand future playthroughs. You will also gain access to a new commander named Libius, explore two new regions, and experience a rewritten story with a clear ending. For those looking for a serious challenge, the update will also add Ordeal Mode, which offers ten rising difficulty levels meant to push strategy skills to their limit.