Full playthrough on Series S
For those that played the game’s predecessor, Miasma Chronicles improves upon it in almost every way. For those that have not played the previous game, Miasma Chronicles feels like a mix of expanded XCOM mechanics in a post apocalyptic setting reminiscent of the Fallout games. For those that have not played XCOM or Fallout read on for an overview of MiasmaFull playthrough on Series S
For those that played the game’s predecessor, Miasma Chronicles improves upon it in almost every way. For those that have not played the previous game, Miasma Chronicles feels like a mix of expanded XCOM mechanics in a post apocalyptic setting reminiscent of the Fallout games. For those that have not played XCOM or Fallout read on for an overview of Miasma Chronicles.
The game has two modes, exploration and combat. During exploration you can talk to people, buy/sell items, forage for loot and silently pick off enemies without triggering combat. Scoping out enemy positions in exploration mode and sniping stragglers is recommended on regular difficulty and above… more on difficulty settings in a moment. Trying to take down a squad without thinning the herd first is a tactic for true pros to the TRPG genre on higher difficulties or for the machinists out there. The game rewards tactics and punishes running in guns blazing and cover be damned.
After you have thinned out the enemy it is time to set up an ambush in a way that gives you every advantage. When possible take the high ground as it massively increases your hit chance. If fighting on the ground use your three person team to set up flanking fields of fire by placing them in a wide V formation… more on flanking in a moment. Once combat starts it becomes a game of trying to outflank the enemy or maintaining the high ground.
Difficulty, tactician mode and flanking.
There are four levels of difficulty. I played some on the default but mostly on easy. Tactician and tactician lite adjust how much distance, cover and elevation effect hit chance. I played on Tactician mode which makes flanking and taking the high ground important. Just as elevation increases hit chance so does flanking. Same applies to the enemies chance to hit your team.
Story and character progression.
The story was well done. The voice acting worked for the most part. As you level up you gain points to spend on improving your various abilities. Your hero gets a few special abilities that can really turn the tide of battle like chain lightning, teleportation and a medic companion, among other things. The slow drip of weapons upgrades fit well with the scarcity of a post apocalyptic setting. Over time however you will have a well equipped and supplied team.
Some tips to make your game a bit smother.
On tactician mode elevation and flanking are very important, yet sometimes you will be in a situation in which you are not in an optimal position. There is a weapon that fired rounds that bounce off of things. I recommend equipping it on one of your crew as it can come in quite handy at reaching an enemy behind cover.
Sometimes in exploration mode when you are sniping you may need to lure an enemy into a better position, this is where a glass bottle comes in handy. Throw one to lure it to the right spot then take them out silently leaving their buddies none the wiser. On some maps there are audio lures such as radios that can be used to lure enemies to their demise.
Knock grenades are great for knocking an enemy out of cover during combat to then be blasted by your team. Best done at the beginner of a turn. Once you get the teleportation miasma you can use it against enemies for the same effect.
The game gives you a lot of room for tactics. For example sending a squad member forward to kick off combat with a long loud shot, then teleporting them on top of a building with the rest of your team and slaughtering the enemy as they charge in. The game allows for some creativity here.
Cons.
Game has many bugs, some of which can be annoying. Stuck in walls, game quite saving, once was unable to finish a side quest till I left the area, completed a different quest then went back at which point to quest registered as completed. Most of the bugs were minor, but the intermittent save game bug and quest bug were annoying. If the save game bug appears just leave the map then returning should resolve it.
Bugs aside, this is one of the best TRPG’s I have ever played and I been playing them since the 1990’s. I absolutely love sneaking around in exploration mode, picking off enemies, setting up devastating ambushes and then mopping up what is left. This never got old to me!
As is I give the game an 8 out of 10 and after it is all patched up I would bump that up to a 9. Miasma Chronicles is a bit of a fresh take on an aging genre.… Expand
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