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Styx: Master of Shadows

Styx: Master of Shadows

A gem hidden between this autumn's big releases.

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While we waited, hidden in a closet, for two guards to leave the room so we could steal a bottle of amber, we wondered why we'd heard so little about Styx: Master of Shadows. The answer, mirroring what happens during the combat sequences in the game, lies in timing. In combat, a mistimed response to an enemy's attack almost always ends up being a fatal blow. Regarding Styx's invisible release, it emerged from hiding, masked by several AAA games, which inevitably relegated the game to the shadows.

Styx: Master of Shadows is a stealth action game, created by Cyanide Studios, the same studio that brought us action RPG Of Orcs and Men. This is also the very same character we could control in that adventure, but there is no direct relationship between the two games, although it based in the same universe. Incidentally, although the events in Master of Shadows begin years before Of Orc and Men, this isn't even a direct prequel. You can happily play Master of Shadows without ever having played the other Cyanide Studios game. In terms of gameplay and concept, they are also very different, as Master of Shadows is focused heavily on stealth.

Styx: Master of Shadows

Master of Shadows's narrative is somewhat confusing and Styx, as a character, exhibits almost schizophrenic behaviour at times. In short, Styx has to break into a massive tower to reach a sacred tree that produces very special amber, and steal its 'heart'. The problem is that the tower is surrounded by several hundred guards (and more besides), which can eliminate Styx with a few blows.

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Styx is a Goblin - small, agile, daring and resourceful - but he's not very strong nor sturdy. This means that direct combat is pretty much out of the question, because the combat system is nonexistent, replaced instead by quick time events. If you parry enough times, you will eventually get the option to eliminate your opponent, but if you fail, the likely outcome is bitter defeat. Styx is very fragile, and only withstands a few hits (on maximum difficulty a hit is an insta-kill). This means that fighting should be a last resort, and if you are seen by more than one guard... good luck with that.

In other words, if you are expecting a stealth/action experience, you have to look elsewhere (and you have plenty of options, like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor of Assassin's Creed: Unity). Styx is a pure stealth game that requires patience, observation, exploration, and a lot of trial and error. Moreover, it is quite difficult. There are hundreds of guards, and although the AI is not bright, they can detect you with relative ease. And as we've cleared up, fighting is not really an option. Protip - manually save the game regularly, because the checkpoints are horrible.

Styx: Master of ShadowsStyx: Master of Shadows

Fortunately, Styx has an impressive repertoire of stealth moves. If you crouch, he will become virtually invisible in the dark or behind objects, and make no noise. His small size and agility will allow you to climb objects with tremendous ease, and you can even hide inside closets, chests and barrels. Styx is also armed with a dagger, and has no moral problem with despatching a guard or a witness. You have two choices for eliminating unsuspecting enemies - quick and noisy or slow and quiet. You can also push them off balconies, pull them, poison them or crush them with chandeliers.

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Styx is also a very peculiar Goblin, with special abilities related to his amber addiction. Conveniently, Styx can become invisible for a few seconds, although that consumes quite a bit of amber. He also has the option of creating a clone, which you can control directly. This clone allows you to activate levers and can get into places that are not accessible to Styx, and it's perfect for attracting and distracting the guards, but he will die with one blow and he can't attack. Finally, Styx has access to special vision that will highlight items of interest.

Part of Cynadide's RPG legacy is also present in Master of Shadows, which includes a simple progression system. You can evolve Styx's effectiveness in several different departments, from his ability to kill enemies, to his stealth skills. You can unlock actions like murder from above, and unlock quiet falling, or even an option that allows Styx to become invisible without spending amber, provided he dosen't move. The clone can also be improved with new actions, including the option to hide in a closet or trunk, where he will wait to jump at the first enemy that approaches.

Like most stealth games, Master of Shadows will classify the player's performance at the end of each mission. How many times you were seen, the number of enemies killed ("accidents" like falling from a chandelier or a poisoned apple don't count towards the end of level stats), or the number of bodies found; these all contribute to the final score.

Styx: Master of Shadows

Styx is a good mix of stealth and platforming, but it's the level design that really impresses. The maps are massive, almost like mini-open worlds. There are several ways to reach each goal, with many passages and routes through. The maps also include an impressive verticality, with multiple floors and great depth. Two different players are unlikely to choose the exact same route when finishing any given level. There is some backtracking, and at some point you will be forced to go back through the same levels, some from back to front, but since they are massive and feature multiple routes, it's not a major annoyance.

Each map also has several collectibles and hideouts, left behind by Styx's allies. Finding them will improve your chances of completing the level, providing Styx with useful items such as health, amber, sand to extinguish candles at a distance, and acid to melt bodies. There are also several secondary objectives to meet, and even some relics to find. Just don't expect much help in this department, as the maps that the game provides are somewhat confusing and useless. As your position isn't even marked on the map, sometimes it's hard to get your bearings, let alone find a relic that's only vaguely signposted.

It is a pity that Styx: Master of Shadows released at this time, between all the noise created by large marketing machines has drowned it out somewhat. Don't get us wrong, Styx has several flaws - mediocre graphics, frustrating combat, a bit of repetition, big loading times - but it makes up for them with one of the purest stealth experiences of recent years. It's anti-combat concept, together with an above-average difficulty, make Styx hard to recomend to most players. But. If you're among those who appreciates the stealth genre, who enjoys a stern challenge, then Styx: Master of Shadows might just end up being one of your most enjoyable surprises of the year.

HQ
07 Gamereactor UK
7 / 10
+
Styx's repertoire of actions are the dream of every fan of stealth. Design and size of the maps. Considerable challenge. Fair and affordable price.
-
Poor combat system. Considerable loading times. Mediocre graphics. Some graphical glitches and slowdowns. Virtually useless map system.
overall score
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