Peaky Blinders: Mastermind

Whether you watched and loved Peaky Blinders or not, stay away from this game as it is one of the worst adopted video games of at least this generation.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a pleasant surprise. Whilst the license isn't used to its fullest potential, the gameplay delivers a satisfying, methodical puzzler with plenty of moving parts to consider. The levels have plenty of life to them and the more complex missions really allow the characters' unique roles to shine. For something that could've felt like a cheap cash-in, Futurlab has developed something compelling and fascinating to play through.

A flawed attempt to adapt the show, that struggles when it comes to storytelling but has the makings of a great heist game.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is stuck between abstraction and fan fiction, ambition and restraint. At its best, it’s streamlined; at worst, stifling and predetermined. Give me an Alfie Solomons rum-empire management game, and you’d have my attention.

A few issues aside, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a celebration of the TV sensation that translates much of what is loved about the show into tangible game play systems. The last third of this game is a brilliant showcase of the time manipulation mechanics and puzzle depth that can really push the player and offers oodles of tension. It’s simply a shame that it takes two thirds the game for that to be realised and for it to end so soon after it begins.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a decent tie-in, a real-time strategy game based on the acclaimed TV series. Nothing more and nothing less.

A great way to reflect the spirit of the TV show: Peaky Blinders Mastermind is a fun tactical game that will make us repeat several times every single level in order to improve our best timing. Technically simple, it causes true immersion.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind has some clever mechanics that highlight the meticulous planning Tommy Shelby is capable of, all whilst providing an interesting story and plenty of variety in character actions.

For the majority of its runtime, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a puzzle game with unique ideas implemented in uninspiring ways. Its story and tone hold the levels together in a solid but unspectacular way that neither let down its source material nor build interestingly on it. Once it all starts coming together in the final two missions and you get to use your entire team together to accomplish complex objectives it becomes a genuine challenge laced with enjoyment and I was left wanting more. I just wish that it hadn’t taken so long to get there.

A clever and neatly crafted puzzle game that could do with some richer presentation and another layer of intricacy. Not quite a blinder, but worth a peek.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind offers one of the most essential puzzling experiences of 2020. The masterminding may come to an end far too soon, but when it does the the sublime gameplay mash-up you've just had will make you realise that Futurlab have forged an entirely new genre: rewind time strategy. Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is so good that it compelled me to go and watch the original TV show. Now, how many games based on a franchise can say that?

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a strategy game that requires very little strategy for much of its short running time. While it does eventually present a little more challenge in the closing chapters, the hum-drum narrative and bargain-basement cut-scenes won't provide you with much incentive to persevere through the duller moments which make up most of the game. If you're a massive fan of the show waiting for the next season, then you're probably better off just forming your own gang while talking in a comedy Brummie accent.