Rivals of Aether II is available on PC through Steam, but the official sources reviewed do not give a date or platform list for a console release. Story Mode Chapter 1 was included in the game’s 2024 roadmap; in a January 2026 update, Aether Studios director Dan Fornace said its development had been paused for over a year and that the studio wanted it available at console launch.
What the roadmap says about consoles and Story Mode
The October 2024 post-launch roadmap put both console launch and Story Mode Chapter 1 in a section labeled “Beyond.” It also listed new stages, custom colors, workshop support, and buddies. The roadmap did not attach release dates to these items, so it described planned direction rather than a delivery schedule. Gematsu’s October 2024 report reproduced the list.
That roadmap is not a confirmation of specific console editions. The official sources reviewed do not name console platforms or announce a console release date.
Story Mode’s latest stated status
In Aether Studios’ January 2026 2025 recap and 2026 preview, studio director Dan Fornace said: “While Story Mode is still on our to-do and something we want to have available at console launch, its development has been paused for over a year for two main reasons.”
#1 Best Overall
- ✅ALL PARAGONS ARE DIFFERENT: Each player takes control of a deck of 8 to 10 cards, each featuring a different fantastical Paragon with their own abilities and play style.
- ✅ TWO WAYS TO WIN: Deal enough damage or land a special execute attack to instantly defeat your opponent! The game is all about setting this up and avoiding your opponent's execute attack!
- ✅ CROSS COMPATIBLE: with other Pocket Paragons games including The Massive-Verse Fighting Card Game.
Why development was paused
Fornace said the small core team working on Story Mode was disbanded after the Kickstarter. He also described the first chapter as a substantial undertaking that would require multiple team members working for many months. His statement reports the status as of that January 2026 article; it does not establish whether development resumed afterward.
So Story Mode remains a studio goal tied to console launch, not a mode with a confirmed release date. The January 2026 statement also does not guarantee that either Story Mode or the console version will arrive by a particular date.
What is available now, and what later updates confirm
Aether Studios’ press kit gives Rivals of Aether II’s release date as October 23, 2024. The game is available on PC through Steam; its Steam listing notes full controller support and recommends playing with a controller.
Aether Studios’ January 2026 preview described a roadmap priority list that included four new characters, Steam Workshop support, Items, and Casual Stages. It said Workshop was then in open beta on a Steam beta branch, with a goal of moving it to the main build before the end of 2026. Those were plans and status statements made in January, not confirmation that every item was subsequently completed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- This item will be ship on January 20, 2017
- Solemn Recruit x 1
A later Steam announcement dated September 1, 2026 presented the Fall 2026 update and Rivals 1 Throwback mode. It confirms that PC updates continued, but it does not announce a console port or Story Mode release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the studio said about future gameplay content
In its October 2024 launch announcement, Aether Studios said: “Our plan is for all future gameplay content to be free (like characters and modes) and to support development with optional cosmetics only.” This is the studio’s stated plan at launch, not a schedule for roadmap features or a guarantee about when they will be delivered. Read the launch announcement on Steam.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPETITIVE 2-Player head-to-head rivalry between 2 16th century villages.
- OUTWIT your opponent by strategically achieving 1 of 4 instant win conditions without falling prey to their mechanitions. Or win by outlasting your opponent and scoring more points at the end of the game!
- HIGHLY INTERACTIVE strategy game where players directly affect what actions are available to their opponent.
- CELEBRATED designer Andreas Steding
Rank #4
- CREATE YOUR PRINCIPALITY: Immerse yourself in the world of Catan as you take charge of one of two factions striving to develop the newly-settled island. Use your strategic prowess and cunning to build your own principality and shape its destiny.
- EXPLORE AND SETTLE: Navigate uncharted territories, acquire vital resources through card play, and embrace the unpredictability of the dice to expand your domain. Every move you make impacts the fate of your principality.
- EXPLORE AND SETTLE: Navigate uncharted territories, acquire vital resources through card play, and embrace the unpredictability of the dice to expand your domain. Every move you make impacts the fate of your principality.
- THRILLING THEME GAMES: Dive into three exciting "Theme Games": The Age of Gold, The Age of Turmoil, and The Era of Progress. Each presents unique challenges and opportunities that will test your strategic prowess and decision-making skills.
- CUNNING AND LUCK: Will you emerge as the ruler over Catan? Your cunning strategies combined with a dash of luck will determine the fate of your principality and lead you to victory in this captivating card game.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
