Stealth games aren’t dead yet. Styx: Blades of Greed gives hope to fans of the genre

by

I unexpectedly got a hands-on preview of the latest installment in the stealth series from Cyanide Studio during gamescom. I played an early version of *Styx: Blades of Greed* for about an hour and spoke with the developers. The good news? The mischievous goblin is still as charismatic as ever.

Old, (not) good goblin

This third book in the series continues the story of the skilled assassin, following his pursuit of a mysterious and powerful substance known as quartz. However, he’s not the only one looking for it – a ruthless organization called the Inquisition is also after it, and they’ve declared war on him.

I’m really excited about Blades of Greed! From what the developers have shared, a big part of the story is going to be about building up a team of allies. It’s not totally clear yet how much that will *affect* the actual gameplay, but as a fan of this world, I’m already thrilled at the idea of seeing both familiar faces and a whole bunch of new characters join the adventure!

Okay, so I got to play the demo for *Blades of Greed*, and I’m happy to say it still *feels* like a Styx game. That dark fantasy world with a really twisted sense of humor is totally there. Styx himself is still awesome – he’s constantly making sarcastic comments, which I love. It’s not for everyone, sure, but if you were a fan of the series’ ironic vibe before, you’ll definitely feel comfortable jumping into this one.

Game composed of blocks

What immediately stood out in the demo was how much freedom the game offered thanks to its tall, open environments. While the objectives themselves were generally straightforward-like reaching a location or grabbing an object-I had a lot of options and could get really creative with *how* I completed them.

The city area I explored was expansive, with many different ways to get around. When I encountered a tightly guarded hallway, climbing out the window and scaling the building’s exterior proved to be the smartest move. This new version of *Styx* really rewards players for trying different routes and exploring thoroughly. Areas connect in surprising ways, and the small hero can access hidden passages that other characters can’t. A chimney, for instance, might become a quick escape route to the outside.

This character excels at stealth and requires thoughtful planning to navigate challenges. While Styx is a master of disguise, they aren’t a strong fighter. They can manage a single enemy, but will struggle against multiple opponents. *Blades of Greed* encourages players to move carefully, eliminate threats quietly, and focus on enemies one at a time.

The game gives players a lot of flexibility in how they develop their abilities. By using quartz, Styx can do things like create clones, briefly become invisible, and even take control of enemies. As you play, you’ll unlock even more tools, including sleeping darts and exploding mines. But what really stood out to me was the combination of the glider and rope. This setup is ideal for quick, arcade-style movement and really complements the game’s complex, multi-layered maps.

I’m really impressed with the developers’ approach to game design. The levels are designed to give players freedom and allow them to solve problems in their own way, rather than forcing a single solution. This sandbox-style design, full of possibilities, will especially appeal to players who enjoy creativity and open-ended gameplay.

Big surprise at gamescom

I don’t want to dwell on the technical side too much, but it was pretty clear this demo wasn’t the finished product. There were a few visual hiccups and some sound effects were missing. But honestly, I could definitely see a unique art style – kind of cartoonish, which I really liked! I think anyone who was a fan of the earlier games will feel right at home with *Blades of Greed*.

I was genuinely impressed by Cyanide Studio’s new game at gamescom this year. The demo showed me the developers have a clear vision for it. With stealth games becoming rare, *Styx: Blades of Greed* offers something different – its open design could really stand out. I’m optimistic about this game because the industry needs more smaller, passion-driven titles like it.

Read More

2025-09-16 15:32