The game that blends RTS and typing in a fantasy world, Touch Type Tale, is currently free, for Windows — 100% free to keep — as part of a limited-time Epic Store’s giveaway! Don’t miss out, as Touch Type Tale normally sells for US$19.99.
Touch Type Tale – Strategic Typing is an indie real-time strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world, with a unique twist: all controls are executed exclusively through the keyboard. It was developed by Pumpernickel Studio and originally released on March 28, 2023.
The game features a single-player story campaign — narrated by award-winning actor Jim Broadbent — and multiplayer modes against AI bots of varying difficulty as well as PvP. It also serves as an educational tool, helping players improve their typing speed and accuracy while developing coordination, focus, and real-time decision-making skills.
Published by Mythwright and available for Windows, Touch Type Tale has earned dozens of very positive reviews on Steam — at least at the time of this post.
You can get the game here, where there’s also a free demo! And there’s also a free demo version here!
Trailer
Gameplay
Touch Type Tale is an RTS controlled entirely via keyboard input, with no mouse support. The player performs all actions by typing words displayed on screen, each corresponding to specific commands such as constructing buildings, moving units, or casting spells. The dynamic interface constantly presents new words for the same actions, requiring continuous attention and adaptation.
In addition to word-based commands, the game uses a shifting input system: interacting with the same structure or unit again will prompt a new word, preventing repetition and encouraging players to stay focused. Multiple difficulty levels allow less experienced players to adjust before facing tougher challenges. This design fosters the development of typing speed and accuracy, seamlessly integrating real-time strategy mechanics with keyboard-driven gameplay.
The game features various mission types, including traditional skirmishes, escort missions, and area defense challenges. The main campaign follows Paul, a young apprentice who uses a magical typewriter to lead his people against numerous threats. The narrative unfolds through a series of progressively difficult scenarios, with adjustable difficulty settings.
Although its typing-based mechanics might suggest a slow pace, the game quickly ramps up in intensity, demanding fast reflexes and strong coordination. Touch Type Tale also encourages the development of typing precision, multitasking, and strategic decision-making.
The beta version included placeholder voiceovers and ongoing production adjustments, but already stands out for its consistent cartoon-style visuals and its innovative control system, offering a unique experience within the RTS genre.
Game modes
- Narrative Campaign – The player controls Paul, a hero with a magical typewriter, in a story-driven mission to save his village and people. The game includes narrated cutscenes (with temporary voiceovers in the beta).
- Skirmish Mode – The classic RTS game type, likely involving standalone battles unrelated to the main campaign.
- Escort Missions – The player must protect specific units or characters as they move across the map.
- Take-and-Hold Missions – Focused on capturing and defending strategic areas.
- Village Defense – The player must prevent enemies from destroying their base or village in endurance-style missions.
About the game
Touch Type Tale is a real-time strategy game with a typing twist, featuring a rich story-driven campaign and competitive online play that will challenge even the most battle-hardened RTS veterans.
Your fingers… Yes, those fingers. They’re incredibly nimble! I’ve never seen anything like them. Use them to type and overcome unique strategic challenges. Take on the role of Minsteria’s unlikely hero, whose throne is vulnerable to the sticky little fingers of scheming nobles and bloodthirsty bandits.
Use your typewriter to rally armies, build villages, and defeat wrongdoers in a lengthy tactical campaign full of surprising mechanics.
This mission will test both seasoned and novice strategists. But I believe in you, Paul. As my grandmother used to say: the keyboard is mightier than the sword.
Command a Unique Strategic Army
- Control squads of swordsmen, archers, pikemen, and cavalry — not to mention golems and catapults — to conquer the opposing village.
- Hire workers to farm and mine for gold, which you’ll use to upgrade units and construct buildings like stables, barracks, and spearman huts, expanding and enhancing your forces.
- Engage in melee and ranged combat, and make tactical decisions based on unit types, army sizes, and available routes. Go head-on against your enemies or flank them in a classic pincer move to deal more damage.
- Cast stylish spells to tip the odds in your favor and build an ink factory to unlock advanced magic like teleportation and plague.
Use the Keyboard to Control Everything
Mouse? Who needs it! You can toss it into a bonfire, because all you need to play Touch Type Tale is your keyboard. Type to build structures. Type to mine gold. Type to command your army. Type to pour the perfect pint of beer. Enjoy magnificent typing mini-games, including cooking contests, shooting galleries, rhythm games, bullet hell segments, and grand strategy challenges.
Win Online Multiplayer Battles
Take your skills online and carve your name into the leaderboards.
Rank Among the Best Players
Improve your typing accuracy and speed, your multitasking ability, and your language skills — all text and mechanics are available in thirteen languages. Pick a difficulty that suits your style, but come back for higher levels and reap the rewards of your effort.
Hear a Story Told by Jim Broadbent
Of course, beloved Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent lends his voice to this charming tale. Our hero, Paul, is a humble apprentice who wants nothing more than to not be stuck organizing someone’s toenail collection. Dive into a vivid fantasy world and discover how Paul became Minsteria’s greatest hero… and never touched a toenail again. Gross!
Touch Type Tale… On Twitch!
Stream the game on Twitch and let the chat take control! Viewers can type in the chat to vote on what gets typed in-game. Just head into the game menu to connect Touch Type Tale to your Twitch channel — then surrender to the chaos. (LOL.)
Screenshots
More info and strategy
Overview
- GET Touch Type Tale – Strategic Typing HERE - Download link(s) or store's listing.
- Size: 20 GB
- License: Commercial
- Operational systems: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
- Developer(s) and/or publisher(s): Pumpernickel Studio, Mythwright
- Categories: Strategy
- Views: 10
- Added by: Valewson