Styx: Master of Shadows

Styx: Master of Shadows is an rpg infiltrator game based on a goblin named Styx, surprising enough, that is also playing a part in a game called Of Orcs and Men, of which events are based 200 years after the events of the Master of Shadows.

The story of Styx and his origin are central elements in Master of Shadows. The game starts abruptly with Styx being caught and brought up for interrogation administrated by the Governor and his son. Why is Styx inside the tower? What does he want from there? These are questions the player answers through playing Styx through his little story. 

Styx: Master of Shadows, being an rpg infiltrator game, is focused on stealth and stealthiness. Because of this there are many missions where the player notices that brute force isn't the answer, as our little goblin friend is quite vulnerable to pointy swords and crossbows. But what the game loses in the perspective of brute force, is added up in stealth and little inherited magical abilities. There are number of ways to dispose the players enemies through different ways. You can summon a goblin mirror of yourself and order it to hide in a chest to lay and wait patroling guards that are snapped and killed and ultimately hidden inside the chest after the mirror goblin catches them, or if you so wish, you can poison the food or water supplies, throw daggers from a distance and dispose your enemies with more subtlety. It is important to hide dead bodies as some missions can't be completed if they are spotted.

As the game leans heavily on stealthiness, it is important to tread carefully and watch your step. The game features a lightning system that is a key in succeeding with your sneaky habits. Torches are better unlit than lit. There is everything needed for the player to feel like an assassin.

What makes the game fun you might ask? Happy news for some, but this game doesnt hold your hands too much. Even on normal it is quite challenging and some levels and missions do take some time when you err and learn from them. And if you do dare to try the Goblin difficulty, where every hit made against you literally one hits you, you might shed a tear. Or maybe more. But hardcoreness notwithstanding it is fun to dispose your enemies in numerous different ways and sneak forward and listen your enemies rather funny conversations.

For a 2014 game the graphics are rather mediocre taking count the game is written on Unreal Engine 4, but they are beautiful in their own way. It is also easily ran on a little slower computer, which is a good thing and signs of excelent optimization. I can't really comment on the story of the game as I am rather biased as I liked Of Orcs and Men, so I have certain expectations and presumptions of it, but that much I can say, that it is worth playing. Our goblin Styx ain't that heartless after all.

If you like games like Thief and Metal Gear Solid, you might like Styx: Master of Shadows, even though it might not be up to par with game like Metal Gear Solid in terms of content and depth.

Review by: Jani Ahde