REVIEW – Styx the deadly Goblin is back! After the 2014 game Masters of Shadows, our favorite little neck slicer is back to take on the world of Humans and steal as much as he can. We first were introduced to Styx in Cyanide’s game called Of Orcs and Men. However, the team decided to expand on the little critter’s story by releasing Masters of Shadows, a stealth game showing the origins of Styx. Now the developers are back with the sequel Shards of Darkness which promises to alleviate some of the problems that the first game had.

While the development team made such lofty promises, I had a sneaking suspicion that Shards of Darkness is an interlude to the adventures of Styx. All signs point to a grander future game, especially when it comes to the story. However, this game is like a mid-season finale with a bit more polish. A knife in one hand, and an amber bottle in another, we’re in for a wild ride.

C.A.R.N.A.G.E.

Shards of Darkness begins after the events of Master of Shadows, Styx has become rather notorious, and the goblin plague has become sore in Humanity’s eye. The goblins and orcs have been encroaching on human territories, and the Dark Elves plus the Dwarves are also up to no good. The humans have also started recruiting people into their special division to cleanse the world of Orcs and Goblins.

The overall story is nothing that revolutionary, and it is pretty by the numbers. The main character Styx has been a bit rewritten compared to the old game, and here he is a bit too immature. Regularly breaks the fourth wall, and on the death, screen cracks jokes that are pretty hit and miss (depends on how much you like crude humor).

Still compared to Cyanide’s other offering the story does try to flex its muscles, and while initially, it seems quite minuscule regarding its plot’s urgency, by the end it ends up being an epic tale of bravery and loot.  Multiple characters make cameos from Of Orcs and Men, plus from Master of Shadows.

The story is parceled out into 7-8 missions (depending if we count the prolog), and while that does sound rather short, we do have the option to replay the missions to earn a higher score, or do a Ghost run of the missions. The levels are now much more open, and the developers have added even more verticality for Styx to approach the objectives from multiple points throughout the levels. The levels now include sidequests and multiple objectives to complete, so replaying a level can be a necessity if we like to 100% a level.

Parry You Fool!

While we can tackle objectives in multiple ways, it does not mean we can go swords blazing against humans and other foes. The game is primarily a stealth game, and Styx can only do a quick parry before trying to jump on an enemy and slice their neck. So in case multiple opponents come running at you, prepare to run, and hide in lockers, chests, and even tiny barrels can do the trick.

Styx can use bolts to one hit kill armorless enemies, use pocket sand to turn off lights from afar, or confuse enemies. He also has special abilities such as creating a clone to cause diversions, or to keep Styx out of harm’s way. We also have the ability to cloak ourselves to move through undetected between enemy patrols. Both of these spells require amber for us to use them, and if we run out of it, well sadly we won’t be able to use them.

We can also craft items through the levels if we have the necessary raw materials. In order to do so, we need to find a crafting bench, which will allow us to craft health potions, bolts, and even poison.

Speaking of enemy patrols, while the game offers multiple tiers of difficulty the AI is pretty basic, and in case Styx can hide after being seen the usual cliché comments of: “must have been a rat,” or “It was nothing” pop-up every time. Which is a tad bit disappointing, and it is rather easy to abuse the AI to the player’s gain. It is, unfortunately, no Splinter Cell, or Thief when it comes to the AI of the game.

A Knife to the Neck

Shards of Darkness also features Unreal Engine 4 which is a huge step forward when compared to Master of Shadows. The environment texture and characters look marvelous, and the animation is also excellent. While not as good as Horizon Zero Dawn, the atmosphere and the overall style of the game makes up for the lack of ultra quality assets. Everything from the rundown thief town, to the Dark Elf Airship, is well detailed, and worthy to play in those sandbox levels.

In the end Styx: Shards of Darkness is a great AA game, that while it has its issues, and not as great as say Dishonored 2, it still can hold its own in the big leagues. Although some of the humor is hit and miss, the challenge is there to be the sneakiest goblin of them all.

-Dante-

Publisher: Focus Home Interactive, Maximum Games

Developer: Focus Home Interactive, Cyanide Studios, Maximum Games

Genre: Stealth

Release date: March 14, 2017