The Chaos Engine

Soldiers of Fortune is an overhead perspective shooter where players navigate a series of open-air environments. The setting is a version of Britain transformed into a mechanical war zone by a rogue artificial intelligence called the Chaos Engine.

This entity originated from advanced knowledge provided by a stranded time traveler, which was used by Baron Fortesque of the Royal Society. The creation ultimately assimilated its creator's mind, leading to the present conflict. The player assumes the role of a mercenary entering this dangerous landscape to stop the chaos.

Gameplay involves selecting from six distinct characters, each with unique attributes and a different recruitment cost. In single-player mode, the player chooses one character to control directly and a second for computer assistance; this AI companion can perform actions like opening doors and collecting items. For two players, the game supports cooperative play with each person controlling one character.

The visual presentation employs a metallic and blue aesthetic characteristic of the developer. Progression is structured across sixteen levels, grouped into four sets, featuring terrain elements like bridges over rivers. The core run-and-gun action shares mechanical similarities with titles like Gauntlet, though set in outdoor areas.