Styx: Master of Shadows

This game is the hardest stealth game I have ever played. The game is very challanging and unforgiving at times. Although a little buggy (which is why 4 stars) often, and jumping accurately is a challenge in itself the game was very fun and I got it on sale for $10. If you are going for 100%, I wish you luck because some items are next to impossible to get while remaining undetected. Fighting is very hard and is should be avoided at all costs, because quite honestly 9 times out of 10 you will be murdered.

You play as Styx, a goblin thief who wants to steal the heart of a well guarded and secure amber tree. The liquid amber the tree produces is what gives Styx his abilities. Such as turning invisible or activating amber vision which can light up enemies and climbable objects in dark areas. Why Styx wants the heart is a twist of a secret I won't spoil here. The areas you end up traversing are big with multiple paths to reach objectives. The story will have you revisiting the same areas but with different enemy placements for a different challenge. Stealth is what Styx thrives on and that's why fighting head on is extremely tough. You're not meant to. Kill or sneak from the shadows using throwing knives, throw balls of sand to put out torches from afar or grab enemies from behind. The majority of the achievements are obtainable during normal play but only the most sneakiest of players will get all of them. Styx was definitely a fun enough game for me and I will be playing the sequel.

Story is a slow build to crazy plot twists that keep you engaged to find out the game's mysteries. Akenash holds huge maps with multiple paths to complete levels. Stealth is hard, but not impossible thanks to Styx' abilities that can be upgraded. You'll need to for when you back track through the same levels (You'll most likely discover different paths then last time which adds variety to level design) with different enemies that get much harder. Theres plenty of enemy variety to force you to change tactics even to the last levels. The game punishes you for getting caught with challenging combat mechanics that centers the camera under Styx, selling how uncomfortable and inferior he feels in the moment, (Parrying is hard but satisfying when you pull it off) It influences you to do better next time not get caught. Rarely, AI will walk into each other or walk in place. Ledge detection is bad at times, causing unfair deaths. You'll feel like a smart, sarcastic, fragile goblin by the end.

great stealth game with a few options and paths to take to complete objectives but not as many as i would like, it is a true stealth game, no going toe to toe with enemies unless you like dying. the only issue i have is the jumping and catching ledges could use some tweaking, fell many a times thinking i would make it

The loading sreens are long and anyone going for completion will hate the game simply because they will be forced to load saved games again an again to avoid being seen by AI. I would guess I spent more time watching loading screens than actual gameplay. I would highly suggest to have several manual saves and save frequently. Also, do not replay missions until you have finished the main story or you may find the known glitch that locks you in the hideout.