The story-driven Glory to the Heroes campaign is not included in the initial Steam Early Access launch. Developer Deaf Tone Games has officially confirmed that the dedicated single-player narrative campaign is scheduled for later in Early Access or the full version 1.0 release. Solo players who want to experience the tactical Ukrainian mil-sim right now can access an offline PvE Training mode or deploy into dedicated online PvE co-op servers.
Official Status of the Glory to the Heroes Story Campaign
Deaf Tone Games addressed the single-player campaign directly in their official roadmap and launch FAQ. While the Steam store page features a single-player tag, the structured story campaign is still undergoing active development.
According to the development team:
- The narrative campaign will not ship as part of the initial October 9 Early Access build.
- Episodic portions of the campaign may arrive during the Early Access phase, but specific release timing has not yet been locked in.
- Full release of the complete story campaign is formally targeted for version 1.0.
In early community roadmaps shared via the studio's Telegram in late 2023, the team initially hoped to release the first campaign episode alongside early test builds. However, the scope of the project evolved toward refining the core combined-arms infantry mechanics, photogrammetry environments, and PvPvE infrastructure before rolling out cinematic narrative missions.
Campaign Vision and Narrative Direction
According to developer documentation from the Indie Cup Ukraine showcase, the narrative campaign for Glory to the Heroes is being written in collaboration with a scriptwriter from Supermassive Games.
The studio’s stated vision centers on depicting modern combined-arms warfare through the eyes of an average enlisted soldier rather than an invincible special forces operator. Core elements established for the narrative mode include:
- Historical accuracy: Depicting actual operations from the Russian-Ukrainian war to serve educational, journalistic, and cultural purposes.
- Real-world battlefields: Levels mapped using 3D photogrammetry scans and real-world terrain heightmaps from locations such as Mariinka, Krynky, and Chasiv Yar.
- Modern threats: Heavy integration of artillery strikes, guided munitions, trench warfare, and FPV drone strikes.
What Can Solo and PvE Players Play Right Now?
Even though the standalone narrative campaign is not ready, players do not have to jump straight into competitive PvP. The game provides two distinct non-competitive alternatives.
| Mode | Player Format | Factions Available | Stash & Progression Saved? | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offline PvE Training | Solo (local offline) | Ukrainian forces | No (isolated local session) | Configurable bots, unrestricted access to weapons and equipment kits, zero financial risk |
| Online Operations (PvE Co-op) | Up to 24 players vs. AI | Ukrainian forces | Yes (shares persistent online character stash) | Squad-based capture points, dynamic AI combatants, persistent vendor tasks, medical survival systems |
| Contact Mode | 24–48 players (PvPvE) | Ukrainian vs. Russian forces | Yes (risk of carried gear loss) | High-stakes linear objective pushes, AI encounters, timed retreat windows, and extraction finales |
Offline PvE Training Mode
The offline training mode runs entirely locally on your PC. It lets you configure AI bots and test weapon handling, ballistics, physical movement stances, and medical mechanics without joining an active server.
Because it is an offline sandbox, your online stash, earned currency, and vendor progression do not apply here. However, nothing in training is locked behind character ranks or in-game money, allowing you to test any firearm attachment, uniform rig, or role kit freely.
Dedicated Online PvE Co-op
If you want persistent progression without fighting enemy players, Deaf Tone Games supports dedicated PvE co-op on their Operations servers.
In this mode, up to 24 players team up exclusively as Ukrainian forces against AI combatants across launch battlefields like Chasiv Yar - Canal, Fights for Krynky, and the Izium Machine-building Plant. Your extracted loot, earned currency, vendor task completions, and character progression carry over seamlessly between online PvE and hybrid PvPvE matches.
Core Gameplay Systems Featured in the Campaign Build
The underlying mechanics built for the multiplayer servers also form the framework for the future story campaign:
- Hardcore injury mechanics: Wounds require specific treatments, including tourniquets, bandages, and pain management. Leaving medical treatments on too long or failing to address blood loss degrades soldier mobility and leads to death.
- Physical handling and ballistics: Advanced ballistics track projectile velocity, armor penetration, ricochets, and magazine management. Long automatic bursts can cause weapon malfunctions, and stamina depletion directly impacts weapon sway and mantling.
- Drone and vehicle warfare: Launch gameplay features transport vehicles like Humvees and Ural-63095 trucks alongside player-operated FPV strike drones. Full crew-operated armor, infantry fighting vehicles, and player-manned M777 howitzer artillery teams are scheduled for later roadmap updates, specifically around the 425+ square kilometer Battle of Izium expansion.
Glory to the Heroes Campaign FAQ
When will the Glory to the Heroes campaign come out?
The story campaign is planned to release in stages during later Early Access milestones, with the full narrative campaign targeted for the version 1.0 launch.
Who is writing the Glory to the Heroes campaign?
Developer updates from Indie Cup indicate that Deaf Tone Games (formerly Spacedev Games) brought on a scriptwriter from Supermassive Games to help craft the story campaign based on real soldier accounts.
Can you play the Glory to the Heroes campaign offline?
While the narrative campaign is not yet live, the game currently offers a separate offline PvE Training mode where you can play locally against AI bots. Official documentation notes that offline training does not carry over to your persistent online stash or quest progression.
Can you play as Russian forces in the campaign?
Developer FAQs state that dedicated PvE modes are played exclusively as Ukrainian forces. Playable Russian forces are restricted to PvP and PvPvE match types to represent opposing factions in simulated multi-squad engagements.
