Styx: Shards of Darkness

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 127
  3. Negative: 14 out of 127

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Seekersilver
    Dec 10, 2017
    8
    The main con of this game to me is the penalty when players kill any enemies at all. If I stealthily assassinate 20 enemies using all the varieties of kill methods that was provided and cleverly designed, it ought to be an achievement, and not something that brings about penalty. So many kinds of fun and interesting traps and kill methods (complemented with body-hiding places) areThe main con of this game to me is the penalty when players kill any enemies at all. If I stealthily assassinate 20 enemies using all the varieties of kill methods that was provided and cleverly designed, it ought to be an achievement, and not something that brings about penalty. So many kinds of fun and interesting traps and kill methods (complemented with body-hiding places) are scattered in all the levels for the players to use, so why should players be penalised for utilising all of the fun arsenal of features?

    Players' exploration and utilisation of the game's interesting features ought to be rewarded, not penalised.

    That said, missing just 'Mercy' insignia has minimal impact on SP gained. Players can also just redo the missions to focus on it afterwards, but it really becomes a chore.    … Expand
  2. Asadar
    Apr 2, 2017
    9
    Be warn : this is an Stealth Game. You don't like this type of game ? Go away.

    But what if you like to sneak? Then buy this game. Its price is low, and its quality is high. Graphics are not awesome but they work very well, so no need to have a super-computer to run this visually pleasing game. The level design is just excellent, the gameplay is better than many AAA Stealth game, and    Be warn : this is an Stealth Game. You don't like this type of game ? Go away.

    But what if you like to sneak? Then buy this game. Its price is low, and its quality is high.

    Graphics are not awesome but they work very well, so no need to have a super-computer to run this visually pleasing game. The level design is just excellent, the gameplay is better than many AAA Stealth game, and more importantly : the game is fun. Just that. Is not that what you would expect in the first place from a game?

    What more can be said? In the end, Styx is nothing less than a good stealth game. And we do not ask for more, especially for such a reasonable price.

    Important point to note however: the game is only voiced in English (but the texts are translated into several languages). Personally, it does not bother me (I even prefer that), but be warned that if you do not like English voices ... you will have no choice here. That is the price to pay when you can not afford to have voices for each country. So English only, but the voices are good anyway.    … Expand
  3. Dusenedezi
    Aug 5, 2017
    10
    Excelent game. 10/10!!! Worth every penny. Great graphics and good story. Excelent stealth mechanics and responds well to commands. I recommend it to everyone!
  4. SteveHolme
    Jun 6, 2018
    10
    Styx (and Cynaide Studios, the developer) both seem to have experienced a huge boost in self-esteem! I am still baffled about the positive changes and addition to the already outstanding first game! I expected to play a game with more advanced graphics or something, but man, the developers took ingredients from my other beloved games (Classic Splinter Cell, Thief and Dishonred), addedStyx (and Cynaide Studios, the developer) both seem to have experienced a huge boost in self-esteem! I am still baffled about the positive changes and addition to the already outstanding first game! I expected to play a game with more advanced graphics or something, but man, the developers took ingredients from my other beloved games (Classic Splinter Cell, Thief and Dishonred), added their own flavour and baked me an outstanding cake, named "Styx: SoD". Or just Styx 2.

    It's not like the great first game. I tried to play it right after it, literally on the same day I finished Styx. But man, I had to take a break for 2 days because this is Styx in Turbo: The developers went crazy in all departments. Yes, it has some of the known flaws, but else, this studio shows how great they can be at all aspects what I loved about the first game.

    You either like or hate him. But I friggin do love our killer goblin, and these two games easily count as one of the best video games of my life, that's for sure.    … Expand
  5. sychu
    Mar 16, 2017
    9
    Bigger and more detailed levels, better controls and better graphics. At the same time I was playing original Master of Shadows and I can tell that developers put a lot of effort to make this game better and they did. Plus I have never seen such a fluent gameplay in any stealth game. Why 9 not 10? There are still some minor issues, such as controls and enemies blocking on the walls and each other.
  6. GameCritic121
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Don't be scared off by less-than-stellar reviews, it's a pure stealth game; scrubs are going to rate it poorly just because they're bad at it. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. Some of the powers carry over, some didn't, and there are new ones as well, including a crafting system. If you're a stealth fan, buy both Styx games.
  7. ADHGO
    Aug 12, 2017
    10
    Styx returns with new Stealth and adventure game, the way Styx hides and walks in the shadows, to carry dead bodies and hiding them, interact with environment, ring my bell, poison the food or the drinks of the enemies is nice and interesting, graphics & textures are great too, field of view with fair open world is satisfying, Styx is well build polygon with great texture,
    Poor fighting    Styx returns with new Stealth and adventure game, the way Styx hides and walks in the shadows, to carry dead bodies and hiding them, interact with environment, ring my bell, poison the food or the drinks of the enemies is nice and interesting, graphics & textures are great too, field of view with fair open world is satisfying, Styx is well build polygon with great texture,
    Poor fighting mechanics, while killing enemy feels very satisfying to do, by jumping from the shadow and stabbing / climbing his back
    The game is hard, especially when enemy catch you are 95% a dead piece of meat, that means you must keep hiding all the time, or even jumping from edge to edge can kills you directly, running between blades careful touching you as you are immediately dead meat
    It reminds me somehow with Tomb raider, controlling that ugly interesting goblin
    You can find some glitches in the game specially in the auto saving in some areas,
    You need to shut down the game and reopen it, and everything will comes back normal    … Expand
  8. Braindizzle
    Mar 16, 2017
    10
    Don't be scared off by less-than-stellar reviews, it's a pure stealth game; scrubs are going to rate it poorly just because they're bad at it. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. Some of the powers carry over, some didn't, and there are new ones as well, including a crafting system. If you're a stealth fan, buy both Styx games.
  9. sft
    Dec 29, 2021
    8
    8.25/10 • The green goblin.

    Good-looking, well-crafted game. Funny and entertaining throughout, despite some minor irritations.
  10. Dubeau
    Jul 15, 2021
    8
    It's been a while since I play a stealth game and enjoyed it, since Thief 2, I think. SOD has certainly that going for it. Really decent sneak game. The story is also full of intrigues and some adult humour. The graphics are really good and the game doesn't have fps problems. There are some glitches with jumping from wall to a plateform. Some level designs are difficult to get and causesIt's been a while since I play a stealth game and enjoyed it, since Thief 2, I think. SOD has certainly that going for it. Really decent sneak game. The story is also full of intrigues and some adult humour. The graphics are really good and the game doesn't have fps problems. There are some glitches with jumping from wall to a plateform. Some level designs are difficult to get and causes problems for finding and navigate. The music is very good. Great work of the sound's effects. But I must say that I really dislike how the ending mission was made (double loading screen to start a boss fight??), and I think it was a very weak ending. It only serve to setup another game and didn't felt satisfying. I give it a 78%. For reminding me that stealth game can work.… Expand
  11. Gittoplo
    Feb 7, 2021
    8
    A really enjoyable little gem. Wonderful setting and atmosphere. With a big budget this little series could have become iconic. Gets a little repetitive but such is the nature of stealth games. Definitely recommend and hope they make another one.
  12. 10NoOne01
    Dec 22, 2018
    10
    May not be the longest game out there but it's one of the BEST stealth games out there. I played it twice as the game has very satisfying stealth mechanic. Near to none complains as the only one i can think of is the open ending but it won't be a complain if the game is continued. Characters are interesting and playing the game can be relaxing and stressing. Doesn't have places where youMay not be the longest game out there but it's one of the BEST stealth games out there. I played it twice as the game has very satisfying stealth mechanic. Near to none complains as the only one i can think of is the open ending but it won't be a complain if the game is continued. Characters are interesting and playing the game can be relaxing and stressing. Doesn't have places where you can get stuck and waste lots of time. I recommend it for anybody that likes stealth games with different places with different play stiles. It's the best 3rd person stealth game out there.… Expand
  13. Geralt123
    Mar 16, 2021
    8
    This game is a hidden gem. It is for everyone who loves Stealth games. Gameplay is fun, graphics are done with love, music fits in perfectly. I also like Styx, the Goblin although he is quite sarcastic and rough. You have some small skill trees so gameplay stays interesting.

    This is a rather short game, but very good!
  14. Tomicsavo
    Oct 6, 2022
    9
    It's a easy to get used to game mechanism, unfortunately it often forces you to actually sneak, and it's often difficult, but it's a lot of fun!
  15. A1ucard
    Jun 18, 2020
    9
    Даже учитывая мелкие баги игры, из за которых приходилось начинать миссию сначала, всеже эта игра достойна чтобы ее купить и пройти! В наше время все шаблонно и стандартно, тут же интересный герой с оригинальным миром и возможностями. Особенно поразила атмосфера, ставлю художникам и дизайнерам игры высший бал, молодцы, надеюсь будет продолжение.Даже учитывая мелкие баги игры, из за которых приходилось начинать миссию сначала, всеже эта игра достойна чтобы ее купить и пройти! В наше время все шаблонно и стандартно, тут же интересный герой с оригинальным миром и возможностями. Особенно поразила атмосфера, ставлю художникам и дизайнерам игры высший бал, молодцы, надеюсь будет продолжение.
  16. shahradsabagh
    Mar 22, 2023
    9
    Stealth is roughly good and hard at the same timeAnd the story is almost interesting, I like the player and it's a good game

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. DarkStation
    May 8, 2017
    70
    Styx: Shards of Darkness' single-minded dedication to being a stealth game is both admirable and potentially a turnoff to players who expect more flexibility in their approach to completing missions. The flexibility is there, though it's entirely represented by the myriad ways the title character moves through the shadows and confounds his enemies. It's refreshing to play a despicable, amoral antihero; but the game's puerile, scattershot humor will not appeal to everyone. Although its mission objectives are a bit repetitive, the balletic act of moving through the world makes Styx: Shards of Darkness overall entertaining.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Apr 26, 2017
    65
    Over a dozen hours of spatial environmental puzzles consisting of avoiding patrols and finding paths to objectives. Cyanide failed to push the series forward in any aspect but still managed to deliver a solid stealth game. [05/2017, p.68]
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Apr 26, 2017
    70
    Full freedom and innovative level design, but sloppy controls and sometimes stupid enemy AI will ruin your experience from time to time.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »