Epic Games store is giving away another fantasy action adventure in the Styx series – “Styx: Shards of Darkness”. In this game our goblin returns to set off for a new adventure with new enemies, new objectives and new battles.
Goblin Hero and His World
In this sequel game, you once again play as Styx, a foul-mouthed goblin who’s centuries old and full of snarky comments. He’s not your typical hero – he’s ugly, sneaky, and often cracks jokes that lighten the dark mood. You’ll encounter elves, dwarves, humans, and even giant bugs worshiped as gods. The world is cruel, with bloody rituals and shapeshifters who can’t be trusted.
The plot follows Styx as he teams up with a group that’s actually out to wipe out goblins like him. This uneasy alliance leads to deeper mysteries across nine main missions, taking about 15 hours to complete. It’s a tale of betrayal, ancient secrets, and survival in a hostile environment. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it keeps you engaged with its dark humor and unexpected twists.
Sneaky Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Styx: Shards of Darkness is a pure stealth game. You must stick to the shadows, climb walls, and avoid detection because getting caught usually means a quick death. Styx is small and agile, allowing him to hide in tight spaces, leap across gaps, and use the environment to his advantage. The levels are massive and open, with multiple paths to explore – think vertical climbing, secret tunnels, and hidden ledges.
One of the coolest features is Styx’s amber powers. He can create clones of himself to distract enemies or solve puzzles, turn invisible for short bursts, or even vomit acid to dissolve bodies. You can also craft items like acid traps, bolts, and potions on the fly, adding a layer of strategy. Combat is discouraged; there’s no lock-on system, making fights clunky and risky, which pushes you to stay hidden. The skill tree lets you upgrade abilities over time, so you can tailor your playstyle – whether you prefer pure sneaking or clever traps.
Visuals and Audio Design
The game runs on Unreal Engine 4, which brings vibrant yet gloomy visuals to life. Environments range from towering elven cities to dank underground lairs, all detailed with shadows that play a big role in gameplay. Styx himself looks grotesque but expressive, and the animations for sneaking and killing are smooth.
Sound is crucial in a stealth game like this. Footsteps, enemy chatter, and ambient noises help you plan your moves. The voice acting, especially Styx’s witty lines, adds personality – though some jokes might feel overdone. The soundtrack builds tension during chases and eases up in safe spots, enhancing the immersive feel.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What makes Styx: Shards of Darkness appealing is its commitment to stealth without easy combat fallbacks. The huge levels encourage replayability, as you hunt for collectibles or try ghost runs (no kills or alerts). It’s challenging but fair, rewarding patience and creativity.
On the downside, some later missions recycle areas from earlier ones, which can feel lazy. Controls can be finicky, especially with jumping or ledge grabs, leading to frustrating deaths. The humor doesn’t always land, and the story might not hook everyone. Still, for stealth fans, these issues don’t overshadow the fun.
Conclusion
Styx: Shards of Darkness is a solid entry in the stealth genre, offering a unique goblin perspective in a richly dark fantasy world. With its expansive levels, clever abilities, and focus on pure sneaking, it provides hours of tense, rewarding gameplay. While it has some rough edges like recycled content and occasional clunkiness, it’s a step up from the first game and appeals to players who crave challenge without hand-holding.
Claim the Giveaway
In order to claim the giveaway game, you can visit Epic Games store webpage https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/styx-shards-of-darkness-77c030, login to your Epic Games account and then click on the Get button. You will have to use Epic Games Launcher in order to download and install it.