We Who Are About To Die

We Who Are About To Die

Early access since Nov 2022

The Ultimate Gladiator Simulator. Fight & strategize through spectacles and arenas. Rise from slave to Champion and earn your freedom or... die trying. This Gladiator RPG Roguelite features in-depth career management and unique physics simulated combat. Those who are about to die, I salute you!

88% positive · 8,362 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $21.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

We Who Are About To Die is a gladiator roguelite that entered Steam Early Access on November 14, 2022, developed initially as a solo project and now under the studio banner Aegic Entertainment. The game has been actively developed throughout its Early Access period, with nine major content updates shipped since launch. The development history shows a consistent pattern of large updates roughly every 3–6 months: v0.16 (February 2023), v0.17 (April 2023), the Combat Controls Update v0.2 (September 2023), The Spectacles Update v0.4 (June 2024), Champion's Journey v0.6 (September 2024), Gladiator's Revenge v0.7 (November 2024), Blood & Sand v0.8 (June 2025), and the Anniversary Update v0.85 (November 2025). The studio has grown significantly over this period — from a solo developer to a team of four full-time developers at Aegic Entertainment. On November 5, 2025, the developer explicitly stated that 1.0 is the next confirmed milestone after v0.85, and cautioned that "it's going to be a while before 1.0 is ready, even with 4 devs." Most recently, on May 6, 2026, the developer announced that the 1.0 update is actually ahead of schedule, a major new meta-progression system is being added, and closed testing is beginning soon. This is the most recent communication from the studio and signals that 1.0 is actively in development and approaching. The game remains in Early Access with substantial planned content still to be delivered before the 1.0 release. The only DLC is a supporter art and soundtrack pack released at launch, which is already available. There is no indication of a completed product — quite the opposite, as the developer has been transparent about what remains to be done and is actively communicating progress.
Evidence
Developer announces 1.0 update is ahead of schedule, with a major meta-progression system being added and closed testing beginning soon. Studio has expanded to 3 full-time developers focusing on this release.
news post · May 6, 2026 source content planned
high
Anniversary Update v0.85 launched. Developer reflects on growth from solo dev to team, commits to continuing bold development.
news post · Nov 14, 2025 source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Jordy Lakiere
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

IMPORTANT: This game is ACTUALLY different!

Get ready to re-learn how to fight. This game features a physics based combat system with directional attacks. It'll take time to master! Don't worry, gladiators exist to be sacrificed. You control your character fully, at all times, based on complex inputs - you will never sit there while an animation plays.

This game's combat will take practice: at first you will find it hard to even hit anything properly. To win and master combat you will have to slow down and pay attention, pressing random buttons in a panic will only send your gladiator to an even earlier grave. You will learn how to move, how to use momentum to hit HARD, how to hit targeted weak spots and eventually, you will make up your own moves and fight in your own style.

An unforgiving Gladiator Roguelite experience.

Take control of a gladiator with a single life, that you lead to an inevitable dea- I mean, to victory and glory! Fight from the Pits to the Arena into the Stadium, pleasing larger and larger crowds until you finally become a legend of the Grand Stadium.

Each run is totally unique!

There are many roads to becoming champion. Try different approaches and improvise through the randomisation to survive in the long run.

Strategise your way to victory - combat skills alone are not enough!

Deal with random events, choose your next matches, please the rich patrons, please the crowds, expand your school, setup your training regime, bribe for information, hire professional help... and much more!

Fully modular equipment system!

Progress and purchase/loot weapons and armor. Master 8 weapon classes that all play differently. Spend hard earned gold and influence and outfit your character piece-by-piece.

Welcome to Terantia: the city of games!

Step into over a dozen arenas of different sizes and styles, each with random variations.

Fight in group battles or take on tense one-on-one duels that test your skills. How long can you last before your inevitable glorious death?

Other features include:

  • Starting backstories with different traits and goals

  • Permanent bonuses for each backstory's victory

  • Dynamic audiences that respond to your actions. Don't just win: entertain!

  • A ranking system with rewards (levelling up)

  • Character skills that grow as you perform the relevant actions

  • And much, much more!

Now into the arena, Aspirant!

To those who are about to die, I salute you!

Jordy

Last evaluated Jun 17, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content