Miasma Chronicles

 PC
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. Eurogamer
    May 31, 2023
    20
    A serviceable tactics game lumbered with an uninspiring setting and narrative, brought right down by bigoted stereotypes.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    May 24, 2023
    At the core of Miasma Chronicles, then, is a nugget of precious metal. It demonstrates a strong understanding of what makes turn-based tactics games tick, and when you get down to the nitty-gritty, it’s full of the knife-edge decisions and risk-reward gambits the genre is renowned for. But around that core there’s too much that doesn’t quite fit, or isn’t quite up to snuff. If The Bearded Ladies are going to stick to type in the future, their balance of stealth, tactics and post-apocalyptic fiction could do with a new strategy.
  2. RPGamer
    Jun 20, 2023
    Miasma Chronicles is more than just a solid tactical RPG experience; it’s a game that’s both tongue-in-cheek fun and darkly mature, chronicling a humankind on the brink of extinction. The world-building and presentation offer much to take in and enjoy, while the combat is deep and sound, with tons of variables to constantly keep up with that can turn the tide of battle at a moment’s notice. It also has quite a keen edge, and those who enjoy a firm challenge will be well-served by what’s on offer. Despite a few technical hiccups in its current state, Miasma Chronicles has a lot to love, and is an easy recommendation for those wanting to scratch their next tactical itch with a game that asks much of its players, but also offers a wealth of quality in return.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. CodyYoung
    May 24, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Voice acting ranges from quite excellent to hammy but even the worst isn't bad and generally works. Settings are great and filled with easy to miss details -like crocodiles mucking about in the water beyond the railing out in the swamp. I really wish more games incorporated elements like that. The environmental storytelling is also pretty decent, not nearly on the same level as say Elden Ring but still pretty satisfying for those like me who enjoy exploration. There is a score but nothing memorable, if you are one of those who believe in nonobtrusive leitmotif then you'll be thrilled by the unremarkable musical accompaniment

    That's all I got for the good

    As for the bad? Controls are miserable (nothing can be done with a single click, everything requires a -sometimes convoluted- sequence of different keys to execute anything you want to do. You want to end a conversation early? Well, first you have to click escape through each line of dialogue and right click with your mouse at the end to terminate the exchange. No using a GUI in combat and clicking on your action, no no, you have to hit the number key that corresponds with the action you want, select a target with the Q and E keys, then hammer the spacebar to get it done. There is nothing in this game so well done that it makes navigating the controls worth it in my opinion

    Narrative is so thin they have to hide it behind constant misdirection and pointless obfuscation. I don't want to spoil anything for those who might be able to look past the imperfections and may really be able to love this game, but the gist is after abandoning you as a child your mother leaves you a MacGuffin that will help you find her and while she has time to completely program and test a robot to raise you in her absence instructions on how to use the MacGuffin are safely stored as poems on a separate and encrypted hard drive then doled out one stanza at a time by a brain in a jar because that is the most effective method of disseminating vital information. All this game is missing is an animatronic Abraham Lincoln leading a robot uprising. Every NPC you run into will constantly remind you of you mother, how important she is, and how you really need to find her mainly because there is nothing else to establish any emotional investment from the player into the narrative. 'Show don't tell' is an oft repeated mantra in writing because human concern and interest cannot be compelled or commanded, they have to be earned. You can say Storm Troopers are accurate, but when all they do is miss their target no one will take your claims seriously. Repetition cannot eclipse demonstration

    Combat is generally unsatisfying. You like chess? How about a game of chess where I take away all but three of your pieces, arrange mine so you are three moves away from check mate and if you beat me it will feel amazing! Slog through a half a dozen of of those games and I will give you a skill point to unlock another chess piece! That is a slight exaggeration but not by much. This game relies on a lot of gamey elements that take control away from the player in order to force them into a situation and deliver a specific experience. Exhaustively clear an area and you will be rewarded with a cinematic ambush where you are surrounded on all sides as your character simply watches them arrange themselves with shock to match your annoyance. Combat always feels forced, uninteresting, and unavoidable

    There are sixteen skills which require a total of forty six skill points to unlock. After your first 60 minutes in the game you will have. . .two, maybe three if you didn't waste time looking for the insultingly low level loot; denominations of 'plastic' mostly doled out lots of 10 where consumables cost hundreds and weapons cost thousands, this exists to gate the player as there is not much too really buy and what little there is is further thinned out by making levels for everything so you have to constantly replace whatever you do have with the same thing but different stats

    Firearms haven't been so short ranged and lacking in lethality since we abandoned black powder and ramrods, Sniper rifles have a one shot capacity, a range of thirty feet and you can't fire and reload in the same turn, worse they only do marginally more damage than the automatic rifle -forgive me, "assault rifle"- which is incapable of burst or automatic fire. Shotguns do even less damage than the rifles. Firing a weapon is only a single action if done as a second action but if done first your turn is ended. Using the ample cars strewn about as scale, grenades have a range of what looks like twelve feet and a radius of maybe four. They deal more damage than the rifles, by and large, but are only capable of taking out the very weakest enemies - you know, those spawned into existence by the enemies you are actually trying to kill

    This game feels a lot like Encased where the love and craftmanship was traded away for better graphics    … Full Review »
  2. Jt0429
    May 26, 2023
    8
    Good-
    Interesting world; Fun combat; Miasma powers are fun to play with.
    Bad- Awkward dialogue; exploration is rather simple and    Good-
    Interesting world; Fun combat; Miasma powers are fun to play with.

    Bad-
    Awkward dialogue; exploration is rather simple and barebones.

    Thoughts-
    Miasma Chronicles is a great extension of what made Mutant Year Zero fun. It combines turn-based tactical gameplay with a fun story set in an immensely-interesting and fleshed-out world. While its gameplay isn’t going to seem too deep for anyone that’s spent some time with real time strategy games, it still manages to offer a decent amount of challenge and tactical options, especially once you start unlocking magical abilities that help you manipulate the battlefield. Despite its sometimes-awkward writing, Miasma Chronicles is certainly a game worth your time.    … Full Review »
  3. Luc2as
    May 25, 2023
    10
    My rating.
    The game is a tactical RPG and not a frantic action game, as it is usually the case lately. I personally liked the game very much    My rating.
    The game is a tactical RPG and not a frantic action game, as it is usually the case lately. I personally liked the game very much and a few minor flaws didn't deter me. The main thing is fun and I am greatly entertained.

    + Graphics
    + World
    + Story
    + Survey
    - Controls    … Full Review »
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