The studio behind sleeper hit mech combat game Brigador has returned with an ambitious follow-up, and its lead developers are drawing direct inspiration from a golden era of gaming. Stellar Jockeys, the brother duo made up of Hugh and Jack Monahan, released Brigador Killers into early access this year, bringing their signature blend of tactical tank warfare and moral ambiguity to players once again.
The studio recently sat down with us over the summer to discuss the development of its new game, the importance of player agency in storytelling, and why they deliberately emulate the “show, don’t tell” approach to morality found in ’90s PC classics. For the Monahan brothers, those older games offered lessons that modern titles often overlook.
A philosophy rooted in the ’90s
The developers’ design ethos is deeply informed by their experience playing PC games from the previous decade. According to Hugh and Jack Monahan, those titles embedded their themes through gameplay rather than heavy-handed narration. The brothers noted that these classics often taught genuinely special things without ever resorting to preachy messaging.
“The ’90s PC classics often taught really special things, but not because the story said, ‘Wow, violence is bad!’ They let players draw their own conclusions through the systems and choices they presented.”
Hugh and Jack Monahan, Stellar Jockeys
This philosophy carries directly into Brigador Killers, where players are left to navigate ethically murky situations without a game telling them how to feel. The design deliberately resists moral instruction, trusting the audience to interpret events through their own lens rather than being guided toward a predetermined conclusion.
Building on Brigador’s legacy
The original Brigador earned its reputation as one of the most thoughtful mech and simmy games of recent years, combining punishing combat with an atmospheric world. Stellar Jockeys built upon that foundation with Brigador Killers, expanding scope while retaining the careful attention to player choice that defined its predecessor.
The transition into early access allowed the studio to refine the experience alongside its community, gathering feedback as it shaped the final product. This iterative approach reflects the developers’ broader commitment to letting players engage meaningfully with their world rather than passively consuming a story.
Looking ahead
With Brigador Killers now available in early access, players have the opportunity to experience the Monahan brothers’ distinctive vision firsthand. The studio continues to develop the game based on community input as it moves toward its full release.
For those interested in exploring upcoming titles across the year, further details about the broader slate of games can be found through our coverage of the most anticipated releases ahead.
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