Styx: Blades of Greed

Styx: Blades of Greed brings the foul-mouthed goblin assassin back into the spotlight with a stealth adventure that feels broader and more flexible than the earlier games while remaining faithful to the series’ identity. Developed by Cyanide Studio and published by Nacon, it is fundamentally a game about infiltration, vertical movement, careful observation, and creative problem-solving rather than overpowering enemies through conventional combat. Styx remains a vulnerable but exceptionally resourceful protagonist, and the game works best when players exploit that distinction by treating every hostile location as a puzzle instead of a battlefield. The narrative gives Styx greater independence than before. His pursuit of Quartz, a mysterious and valuable resource, places him amid growing tensions involving humans, elves, and orcs. He is operating with his own crew and zeppelin rather than simply functioning as someone else's expendable infiltrator. The story also provides additional context for the larger fantasy universe, touching on the beginning of the Great War and the creation of the Black Hand mercenary group. Despite these larger events, Styx himself remains the attraction. His sarcastic attitude, self-interest, and biting humor provide personality to a setting that could otherwise become excessively grim. Stealth is still the heart of the experience. Guards and other threats are obstacles to manipulate, avoid, distract, or quietly eliminate depending on the player's preferred approach. Rather than forcing one intended solution, missions encourage experimentation. A heavily guarded objective might be approached from above, reached through an overlooked passage, cleared through assassination, or infiltrated using supernatural abilities. This freedom gives encounters substantial replay potential because discovering a successful route does not necessarily mean discovering the only good route. Preparation contributes considerably to that freedom. Styx can craft weapons and potions before putting a scheme into motion, while his supernatural powers provide more unusual solutions. Familiar Amber abilities such as Cloning and Invisibility return, giving him excellent tools for distraction and concealment. Quartz expands his arsenal with abilities including Mind Control and Time Shift. These powers are most satisfying when combined with traditional stealth rather than treated as replacements for it. Manipulating an enemy at precisely the right moment or using an ability to escape a patrol can turn seemingly impossible situations into clever victories. Traversal represents one of the game's most substantial improvements. Three large environments form the backbone of the adventure: The Wall at the boundary of the human world, the orc settlement of Turquoise Dawn, and the ruins of the elven capital Akenash. Their scale matters because they are designed vertically as well as horizontally. Styx can glide across gaps, grapple toward difficult positions, and use his claws to climb enormous structures. The result is an enjoyable sense that the environment itself is another stealth mechanic. Looking above guards for a rooftop entrance or distant ledge can prove more useful than searching for a convenient doorway. Progression complements this exploration through a Metroidvania-inspired structure. Acquiring additional tools can make previously unreachable locations accessible, encouraging players to reconsider areas they have already encountered. It provides a welcome reason to explore beyond immediate objectives and makes Styx increasingly capable without turning him into an unstoppable fighter. His progression is primarily about gaining additional options, which suits a stealth game far better than simply increasing damage or durability. The environments also reinforce the dark fantasy character of the series. Human fortifications, orc territory, ancient elven ruins, dangerous supernatural resources, and the political hostility between different peoples create a world with considerably more personality than a generic collection of assassination arenas. Styx's small stature works particularly well with this architecture because massive walls and structures emphasize how physically insignificant he appears compared with the world around him. His mobility and intelligence then transform that apparent weakness into an advantage. The broader level design does introduce some tradeoffs. Greater freedom can occasionally reduce the tightly controlled tension associated with smaller stealth stages, while having numerous traversal tools and supernatural abilities means players have more mechanics to learn and manage. Anyone approaching the game as a straightforward third-person action title may also find its deliberate pace frustrating. Styx is at his best when avoiding fair fights, studying patrols, preparing equipment, experimenting with routes, and exploiting opportunities. Players willing to embrace that philosophy will get considerably more from the experience than those attempting to fight everything directly. Steam Deck compatibility is a particularly useful advantage for portable players. Steam lists Styx: Blades of Greed as Steam Deck Verified, meaning it meets Valve's compatibility standards for the handheld. The controller-focused nature of third-person movement and stealth also translates naturally to portable play. The ability to tackle individual infiltration objectives or spend time exploring alternative routes makes it well suited to handheld sessions, even though the complexity and vertical scale of its environments can reward playing on a larger display. Visually and mechanically, the strongest aspect of Styx: Blades of Greed is how its different systems reinforce the fantasy of controlling an unusually agile infiltrator. Gliding, grappling, climbing, crafting, supernatural powers, assassination, and environmental navigation are not isolated features added merely for variety. They contribute to the same central idea of giving players multiple ways to reach an objective without being detected. When everything works together, completing an infiltration feels less like following instructions and more like executing a plan that genuinely belongs to the player. Styx: Blades of Greed ultimately succeeds as an evolution rather than a reinvention. Its larger environments, increased verticality, Quartz abilities, returning Amber powers, expanded traversal, crafting, and exploration-driven progression deepen the established stealth formula without discarding what made Styx distinctive. Some players may find its methodical nature and emphasis on experimentation demanding, but those who enjoy systemic stealth are given an impressive collection of tools with which to create their own solutions. It is a confident dark fantasy stealth adventure that understands cleverness, mobility, and patience should remain Styx's greatest weapons. Rating: 8/10