Frontier: Path of Shadows

Frontier: Path of Shadows is a science fiction tactical game set in the barely charted outskirts of known space, referred to as the Frontier. The player joins the crew of the Simurgh, a worn corvette. The crew includes Rob, the pilot, Alice, who maintains the engines and can hack systems, and Khan, who plans the crew’s missions. The story is told from the perspective of Jay, a former courier whose life changed when a sentient crystal, pursued across much of the galaxy, entered his head. Jay’s goal is to work out what the crystal is, how to communicate with it and what is taking place on the Frontier.

Combat is turn-based and squad-focused, with the developer citing X-COM and Final Fantasy as influences while reducing the role of random chance in outcomes. Maps are procedurally generated and adapt to the player’s earlier decisions. Outside of combat, the player travels to unexplored worlds, gathers resources, earns credits and unlocks new opportunities. Squad members can be upgraded and equipped with new gear, and equipment must be kept in working condition, as it can fail during a fight. Advanced technology is described as rare in the setting.

The game includes narrative choices, with the player deciding on allies and enemies and influencing the wider story of humanity on the Frontier. The description refers to a character named Johnson and states that the intentions of the crystal symbiont are unknown. The developer states that the setting has been built with its player community over 15 years. A release is planned for mid-2026.