The sneaky goblin returns this year in Styx: Blades of Greed

Nacon and Cyanide Studios have announced the upcoming release of Styx: Blades of Greed, the latest installment in the popular stealth action series featuring the sneaky goblin assassin. The game is scheduled to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in the fall of 2025.

In this third installment of the Styx series, players will once again take on the role of the cunning goblin assassin, Styx, who is back after eight years since his last mission in Styx: Shards of Darkness. This time, Styx is on a quest for new mystical powers provided by quartz, rather than the coveted Amber from his previous adventure.

The announcement trailer showcases Styx utilizing these new powers, along with his familiar abilities and gadgets. With the inquisition hot on his trail, Styx can manipulate minds to turn enemies against each other, strategically use environmental objects for deadly attacks, set traps with poison gas bombs, and slow down pursuers to facilitate his escape. Throughout his mission, Styx maintains his signature wit and sarcasm.

It will be interesting to see the evolution of gameplay in this new installment compared to its predecessors. While the first two games in the series were solid stealth action titles, they lacked the depth and complexity expected in games of the PS4 and Xbox One era. With the shift to a new game engine and the latest console generation, players can anticipate an improvement in gameplay mechanics alongside enhanced visuals.

Reflecting on the previous game, I noted, “Shards of Darkness had the potential to elevate the series with a more diverse range of gameplay options and improved visuals. However, it fell short of expectations due to technical issues and inconsistencies. It remains a stealth game that struggles to fully embrace modern gaming conventions, which is both a strength and a weakness.”