Sometimes being the noble hero saving the day, or the chosen one with a glowing sword, just doesn’t cut it. Thankfully, Cyanide Studio gave you another option with the Styx series. Sure, he’s a foul‑mouthed goblin thief, but Styx is more anti‑hero than villain, and it’s been almost nine years since we last saw him in Styx: Shards of Darkness, which also ended on a cliffhanger. Fans can finally rejoice, as the wait is over. Styx: Blades of Greed is the newest entry in the series and, thankfully, it isn’t a remake or a retelling but a direct follow‑on from the second game.
Follow On
Blades of Greed picks up in the dying moments of Shards of Darkness, with Styx once again finding himself in trouble, though that’s exactly where he thrives. This time, the story centres on a mysterious artefact tied to the origins of amber, with multiple factions, including humans, elves and a particularly nasty guild of assassins, all desperate to get their hands on it.
Naturally, Styx decides he wants it too, not for heroics but for profit, revenge and a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure. The narrative leans heavily into the dark fantasy tone the series is known for, with plenty of backstabbing, shifting alliances and lore to dig into if you’re so inclined.
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It’s not groundbreaking, but it does the job and gives Styx plenty of excuses to sneak, stab and sarcastically comment on everything around him. Once again, he steals the show with his fourth wall‑breaking quips and general disdain for, well, everyone.
Where Styx shines, his supporting cast of “friends” does not. They’re overly flat and often just plain dull.
Sneaky Does It
Gameplay‑wise, this is still very much a stealth‑first experience. Charging headfirst into combat is basically a death sentence, and the game makes no apologies for it. You’ll be sticking to the shadows, timing movements and figuring out enemy patrol routes if you want to survive. It’s often slow and methodical, but that’s exactly where it excels.
Each level is sprawling, with multiple paths and hidden areas. Whether you’re climbing across rooftops, sneaking through underground tunnels or slipping past guards, there’s always more than one way to tackle a situation, making exploration genuinely rewarding. Styx’s toolkit also gets a few new tricks.
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From classic distractions like bottles and sand to more lethal options such as poison darts and traps, you’ve got plenty to play with. You also get a grapple hook and even a glider, though both arrive a bit too late in the game.
It Gets Better
The front half feels more rigid in terms of available options compared to the latter, which may oddly lead some players to drop it before reaching the new and genuinely fun additions. Styx’s amber abilities also see an upgrade, letting you clone yourself or turn invisible, and the skill tree gives you the freedom to tailor him to your playstyle, whether you prefer ghosting through levels or taking a more slapdash approach.
Visually, the game keeps its grimy, high‑fantasy stylised look, with environments ranging from decaying cities to lavish elven structures, all dripping with atmosphere. The sound design is solid too, especially the environmental cues that can mean the difference between staying hidden or getting caught.
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Voice acting is a mixed bag. Styx is consistently strong, with Saul Jephcott reprising the role, but everyone else is fairly weak, with some extremely “phoned‑in” moments throughout. The game isn’t without issues either. The controls can feel clunky when things kick off, and the difficulty spikes may put some players off. Enemy AI is also a little inconsistent, which can break immersion now and then.
Styx: Blades of Greed sticks to its strengths. It’s challenging but rewarding, offering a stealth experience with a unique and memorable lead character. If you’ve enjoyed Styx’s past outings, there’s plenty here to keep you lurking in the shadows for hours.
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