### Styx: Shards of Darkness
**Release Date:** March 14, 2017
**Platform:** Steam
**Overview:**
*Styx: Shards of Darkness* is an infiltration and stealth game developed by Cyanide and published by Focus Home Interactive. This title is the third installment in the *Of Orcs and Men* series, following the prequel *Styx: Master of Shadows*. In this new chapter, players once again assume the role of Styx, a goblin assassin and thief, as he embarks on a new mission in a dark, complex world.
**Story and Setting:**
The game picks up after the fall of Akenash Tower, where Styx finds himself in the midst of new chaos. A new breed of goblins, born from the lake of amber, emerges as more savage and brutal than before. Styx, however, focuses on his mercenary work rather than dealing with his brutish kin. He is thrust into a dangerous mission to infiltrate the dark elven city of Korangar. Here, Styx discovers that the Dwarves and Dark Elves are forming an alliance—an alliance forged out of mutual hatred for goblins. As Styx delves deeper into the city, he uncovers secrets that could affect the entire balance of power.
**Gameplay Mechanics:**
*Styx: Shards of Darkness* maintains the stealth-focused gameplay of its predecessor, *Master of Shadows*. The game emphasizes stealth and avoidance of direct combat. Given Styx’s small stature and lack of strength compared to other races, players must rely on stealth tactics to navigate through the game:
– **Stealth and Evasion:** Use Styx’s acrobatic skills to sneak past enemies, avoid detection, and set traps.
– **Abilities and Skill Trees:** Styx’s abilities are divided into five skill trees:
– **Stealth:** Enhances invisibility magic and reduces noise.
– **Kill:** Improves combat effectiveness and allows for swift body concealment.
– **Alchemy:** Craft items from materials found in the environment.
– **Cloning:** Create and command copies of Styx for strategic advantage.
– **Perception:** Enhance Amber vision to highlight living creatures and objects.
**Reception:**
*Styx: Shards of Darkness* received generally positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its refined gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessor, with a focus on stealth and avoidance rather than direct combat. The unique approach to stealth gameplay and the variety of abilities provided to the player were noted as significant strengths of the game. Fans of stealth games found it to be a compelling addition to the genre.
**Key Features:**
– **Goblin Assassin Returns:** Take control of Styx in another thrilling installment of the series.
– **Dark Elven City:** Explore the dangerous city of Korangar and uncover the truth behind the elf-dwarven alliance.
– **Varied Abilities:** Utilize a range of skills to stealthily deal with enemies and complete your missions.
– **Skill Trees:** Develop five unique skill trees to enhance your abilities and gameplay strategies.
– **Crafting:** Create useful items from materials you find in the city, enhancing your effectiveness as an assassin.
**System Requirements:**
**Windows:**
– **Minimal Requirements:**
– **Processor:** AMD FX-6300 (3.5GHz) / Intel i5-2500 (3.3GHz)
– **Graphics:** 1 GB AMD Radeon R7 260X / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
– **Memory:** 8 GB RAM
– **Disk Space:** 15 GB available space
– **System:** Windows 7 / 8 / 10 (64-bit)
*Styx: Shards of Darkness* offers an immersive stealth experience with a strong emphasis on strategy and cunning, appealing to fans of the stealth genre and those who enjoyed its predecessors.
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