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Over the years, developer Cyanide established the Styx series as one of the most significant stealth franchises still active today. Combining a dark fantasy medieval setting with a relatable main character and advanced gameplay mechanics, each entry in the series has offered unique experiences. The upcoming game, Styx: Blades of Greed, aims to be the largest and most complex entry yet.
At Gamescom last month, I spent an hour and a half trying out Styx: Blades of Greed during one of the longest sessions at this year’s event. The experience was clear why such extensive time was allocated, not just due to the vast open map but also its emphasis on verticality, which significantly expanded gameplay possibilities while making the world feel even larger.
Despite some clunkiness in controls and occasional enemy detection issues, Styx: Blades of Greed remained a hardcore stealth game. The enemies were highly attentive, requiring players to use every hiding spot or shadow effectively. Once discovered, they relentlessly pursued Styx until he was properly concealed and out of sight. Given Styx’s poor combat skills, a stealth approach always proved successful.
Styx possesses excellent agility, allowing him to climb almost anywhere, taking advantage of the increased verticality in maps. Additionally, various abilities can be learned through skill trees, such as creating clones to distract enemies, setting up cocoons for respawns and teleportation, mind control, and more. These abilities further demonstrated how this sandbox approach to level design significantly enhances player freedom and engagement.
The game also features a grappling hook and glider, adding new dimensions to stealth gameplay. While initially complex, the demo effectively showcased Styx: Blades of Greed’s potential to elevate the franchise. The diverse and versatile abilities promise an exciting experience when the game launches this fall on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
Overall, despite minor issues, the preview demonstrated a compelling stealth experience that promises to push the series to new heights.
