In the futuristic city of Scarhelm, dialogue, the use of force, and a body cam that can be turned off determine the fate of a police officer.
Strange Scaffold, the studio behind I Am Your Beast and El Paso, Elsewhere, has announced Gods With Badges. This narrative tactical game revolves around the police’s power over life and death.
The reveal took place during the Triple-I Initiative Showcase on October 8. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam in 2027. You can watch the first trailer right here:
You take on the role of Harrow McClellan. The disgraced police officer is reassigned to her old post. The scandal that once drove her away is now considered a legend among law enforcement. In every dialogue option and every turn-based battle, you must decide: Will you live up to this bad reputation, or will you try to leave it behind?
Patrol in Scarhelm: Dystopian Investigations and Tactical Combat
You patrol the open hubs of Scarhelm, a dystopian city of the future. There, you seize contraband, investigate complaints, and search dark alleys for evidence. Your dialogue choices, arrests, and use of force shape Harrow’s relationships with her colleagues, the public, and the institutions around her.
The highlight: When a situation escalates, the game shifts to isometric, turn-based combat. Here, you take cover, rescue hostages, and decide for yourself how much force to use. You can also temporarily disable Harrow’s bodycam. While this unlocks new tactical maneuvers and dialogue options, it destroys any official evidence of what happens next.
A New Life for a Canceled Project
Gods With Badges began as Hard Justice, an unrealized project from the strategy studio Artificer. Strange Scaffold took the foundation and development materials and reimagined them in its own unique style.
The title is also the latest addition to Project Share. Strange Scaffold launched this initiative last year to encourage developers to share technologies and adopt more sustainable approaches to game development. The first result of this collaboration was *Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 1: Re-Raptored*.
Big Ambitions and a Familiar Sound
“Thanks to the unique production conditions and the goal of making a cultural impact, Gods With Badges is one of the most ambitious projects Strange Scaffold has ever undertaken,” explains studio head Xalavier Nelson Jr.
“I am infinitely grateful to the original developers at Artificer for entrusting us with their project. I can’t wait for players to see what we’ve built on top of this complex, exciting foundation. We’re taking this very seriously and creating an experience that’s extremely focused and impressive.”
The soundtrack was composed by Kris Kirk, who previously provided the music for the Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator.
