Styx: Shards of Darkness
Styx: Shards of Darkness is a stealth video game developed by French developer Cyanide and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released worldwide on 14 March 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the sequel to the 2014 game Styx: Master of Shadows, and the third game set in the fictional world of the Of Orcs and Men series.
Styx: Shards of Darkness | |
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Developer(s) | Cyanide |
Publisher(s) | Focus Home Interactive |
Director(s) | Julien Desourteaux |
Producer(s) | Antoine Villepreux |
Designer(s) | Mathias Chataignier |
Programmer(s) | Colas Markowski |
Artist(s) | Sophie Legrand |
Writer(s) | Rémi Guerin Mathieu Weschler |
Composer(s) | Henri-Pierre Pellegrin |
Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Platform(s) | |
Release | 14 March 2017 |
Genre(s) | Stealth |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
Like its predecessor, Styx is able to clone himself and to lay traps for his enemies, and can temporarily turn invisible. The player has the option of engaging enemies or avoiding them.[1] Ropes and grappling hooks can be used to reach high areas.[2] A multiplayer co-op mode, with the second player controlling one of Styx's clones.[3]
Plot
Development
The game was announced on 14 October 2015. Developer Cyanide confirmed that it would have a bigger budget and that it would run on a new engine. At the time of its announcement, it had been in development for six months.[2] A new trailer was displayed at E3 2016.[4]
Reception
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Styx: Shards of Darkness received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[5][6][7] Destructoid's Nic Rowen scored the game a 7/10 with the consensus "Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun."[8] Leif Johnson from IGN gave the game a score of 7.8/10 saying that "Styx: Shards of Darkness is a challenging stealth adventure with just as much snark as it has sneaking."[9] Jon Morcom of PC Gamer awarded it a 79/100 stating that "A mean-spirited character leads a big-hearted game; you're unlikely to dwell on its lore but its features combine well to create a satisfying stealth experience."[10]
References
- Craft, Scott (12 January 2017). "Styx: Shards of Darkness Trailer Uses Cinematics To Spotlight Stealth Abilities". IDigitalTimes. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- Sykes, Tom (14 October 2015). "Styx sequel Shards of Darkness announced, out next year". PC Gamer. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- Leonhart, Cryss. "'Styx: Shards Of Darkness' Interview Talks Co-op, Story And Unreal". Now Loading. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- Gelmini, David (11 June 2016). "E3 2016: Styx: Shards of Darkness Trailer Should Have Brought a Bigger Knife". Dread Central. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- "Styx: Shards of Darkness for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- "Styx: Shards of Darkness for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- "Styx: Shards of Darkness for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- Rowen, Nic (14 March 2017). "Review: Styx: Shards of Darkness". Destructoid. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- Johnson, Leif (14 March 2017). "Styx: Shards of Darness Review". IGN. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- Morcom, Jon (14 March 2017). "Styx: Shards of Darness review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 14 March 2017.