World War Aether
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
World War Aether — playtest build
Nations fight with summoned gods and heroes, not standing armies. You are a Grand Summoner: pick a champion, chart a branching campaign map, and win battles with a deck you build as you go.
WHAT THIS IS
• Roguelite campaign — route choices, shops, events, bounties, and stage bosses
• Card battler — units, spells, equipment, and mythos synergies on a tactical field
• Multiple champions and paths — Arthur, Hercules, Anubis, Oda, and more (content still growing)
• Meta progression — mastery, Empire buildings, and mythos unlocks between runs
SETTING
Aether crystals power the modern world. Mythos shards feed temple oaths across the Veil. Champions are manifestations — real power from the Other Realm, fighting for sport and dominance in World War Aether.
PLAYTEST STATUS
This is an early build for feedback. Balance, art, and features are still in flux. Expect rough edges. Lite and Full graphics modes are included (see install instructions on the download page).
If something breaks or confuses you, note your champion, stage, and what you were doing — it helps a lot.
Thank you for trying the game.
Download
Install instructions
DOWNLOAD
• Click Download on this page. The same zip works for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Unzip. Open the folder: champions-of-war
ONE-TIME SETUP (about 10 minutes)
1. Install Python 3.10 or newer: https://www.python.org/downloads/
Windows: enable "Add python.exe to PATH" during install.
2. Open a terminal in the champions-of-war folder:
Windows (Command Prompt):
cd path\to\champions-of-war
pip install -r requirements.txt
Mac / Linux (Terminal):
cd path/to/champions-of-war
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
If pip fails, try: python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt
(Windows: py -3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt )
RUN THE GAME
Pick Lite (recommended first) or Full, then double-click:
Windows — Lite: Play Lite.bat Full: Play Full.bat
Mac — Lite: Play Lite.command Full: Play Full.command
(first launch: right-click → Open if macOS blocks it)
Linux — Lite: Play Lite.sh Full: Play Full.sh
More detail inside the zip: START_HERE.txt and CHOOSE_VERSION.txt
LITE VS FULL
Lite — faster, less memory; window title shows [Lite]. Use this on laptops or if Full stutters.
Full — all artwork and effects; needs a stronger PC.
SAVES
champions_of_war_profiles.json in the champions-of-war folder (created after first play).
COMMON FIXES
• "No module named pygame" → run the pip install step above
• Mac security warning → right-click the .command file → Open
• Linux .sh won't run → chmod +x Play\ Lite.sh then ./Play\ Lite.sh
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.