Styx: Shards of Darkness
Styx: Shards of Darkness
Game
Game2014
Styx: Master of Shadows
Developer Cyanide Studio
Styx: Master of Shadows is a stealth video game developed by Cyanide Studios for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game is a prequel, and the second video game to take place in the world established by 2012's Of Orcs and Men. The game received a sequel, Styx: Shards of Darkness, in 2017. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
316 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
81
LovedLoved
165 positive · 39 negative
95% range 75–86%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 165 | 39 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 29 | 1 | 70 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 5 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
4,247 of 5,212 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
82% recommend · 158 yes, 34 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 192 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (9,775 of 11,738 positive).
Players praise Styx as a pure stealth game that rewards patience and careful planning. [1][2][3] Some reviewers find the game janky with inconsistent enemy detection and repetitive level design. [4][5][6] The protagonist Styx is widely loved for his sarcastic personality and memorable character. [2][5][7]
Liked
Representative posts
- [13]
There are parts of the game that might make the game overall better. Unfortunately, whoever made this game decided to lock the most amount of points per mission that you need to upgrade your abilities behind a gameplay style that requires you to not even engage with whole swathes of the game. For example, combat. You have a combat system and lethal throwables, but if you engage in any of these you are penalized at …
- [2]
Styx Master of Shadows is a rare game that commits to pure stealth, without being power fantasy or an action pretending to be stealth. And while it is undeniably janky experience, Styx has a surprising amount of heart beneath all of that rough exterior. Not unlike its main protagonist, I suppose xD Styx himself is the main draw. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a protagonist this much. His jokes don’t always …
- [3]
Styx is a very pure stealth game. You are not supposed to get into combat, which sucks on purpose. You are supposed to sneak past enemies undetected, maybe quietly murder them from behind. Once you get used to this playstyle it's fun to ghost all the levels.
- [5]
This game really got on my nerves at times. I swear, the guards could spot me from spots they shouldn’t even be able to see. One tiny mistake, and suddenly everyone was on high alert for me. And yeah, I reloaded my saves. A lot. But I kept coming back for more. Once I got the hang of watching the patrols, figuring out my own paths, and sneaking through the levels, it felt ridiculously rewarding. Sure, the game has …
- [7]
It's a very charming game, the stealth mechanics are good with several unique abilities to utilise to get through each mission. The story had me truly invested with twists and turns and I find Styx to be a delightful main character which made me realise that more games should have a sassy goblin in them. The biggest setback for this game is the combat, if you mess up your stealth you're screwed, the combat is …
Summarised from 34 of the 291 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 9, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Styx: Master of Shadows sits at 81% positive across 204 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Styx: Master of Shadows received mixed reviews. Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the Xbox One version 69/100 based on 8 reviews, the Microsoft Windows version 71/100 based on 31 reviews, and the PlayStation 4 version 70/100 based on 9 reviews. Britton Peele of GameSpot complained that the combat "feels stiff and unwieldy, making battle a painful experience whether you win or lose." However, some publications praised the system for disincentivizing confrontation. Geoff Thew of Hardcore Gamer said that Styx "makes full-on assaults next to impossible, and forces you to observe, think, and plan in order to advance.". They went on to say that, as a pure stealth game, Styx delivers "a…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 316 · most liked first| Taken By the Styx | ...realized I never posted this one here, huh. Fixed! #hadesgame
neutral · AI labelView post →Comm for @nimbussy.bsky.social I definitely would get blasted by Styx too. Is Styx the only video game goblin that's made default fuckable?
neutral · AI labelView post →You know what? I can sneak in a last minute Father's Day-relevant #nommzart post :3 Here's @duckedupstuff.bsky.social spending some time with my demon oryx dad, Styx, showing him a new game! Styx is a little confused as to why it looks like he keeps running into walls though...
neutral · AI labelView post →Something else I was absurdly happy about, there's a new Styx game coming! There's relatively few pure stealth games these days, so to see another entry in this murder goblin franchise? I was positively delighted. store.steampowered.com/app/3290690/...
positive · AI labelView post →A new Styx game!? MURDER GOBLIN BACK ON THE MENU! store.steampowered.com/app/3290690/...
positive · AI labelView post →Whew... this month has been *nuts* for games. Nioh 3, Menace, Romeo Is A Dead Man, Crisol, Mewgenics, High On Life 2, Reanimal, Styx 3, The Killing Stone, Paranormasight 2, Star Trek Voyager, Love Eternal, Horsey Game, Ys 10, Demon Tides, Towerborne and Resident Evil 9. And so many other wild indies
neutral · AI labelView post →A review of Nolan's Odyssey from a mythology nerd. Last night, I went to watch Nolan's adaptation of Odyssey. Homer's Odyssey has existed for over 3000 years, but I suppose it's still worth pointing out that there's lots of spoilers here. First and most important, no I don't give a single shit about the "controversial" casting choices. That was a manufactured racist and transphobic outrage. Helen was in like 3 short scenes. She was never depicted in Troy (her only depiction in the story) and…
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm still ridiculously happy that we're getting a new Styx game, did not have that on my 2025 bingo card
positive · AI labelView post →The game its self is very good but DONT BUY IT BEACUSE NOW AT 15 of JANUARY IT WILL BE FOR FREE ON EPIC GAMES. be aware and respect your money.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sneaky stealthy gamers don't skip on the Styx games tomorrow. The protagonist is sometimes grating (especially in the second game where they tried to dial up the Deadpool a bit) but the level design is very Thief, but even more vertical. Some absolutely dizzying fantasy architecture to climb around.
neutral · AI labelView post →99% of negative reviews come from people who don't know marketing Assassin's Creed as a stealth game is customer deception. The 1% come from people who are just plain simple on the not-cute side of the spectrum. Styx: Master of Shadows is the perfect stealth game. Come on, guys, it's in the title. It's not Styx: Master of Carnage. It's not Styx: Master of Freerunning. It's Styx: Master of Shadows. Which means you gotta be the Master of Patience. I know it's hard in this world, but patience is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →They also announced a new Styx game. Underrated series, and it sounds (at least from the trailer) like they're toning down the awkward Deadpoolisms from the second game. The first two games were genuinely solid Thief-likes with SUPER vertical level design, lots of climbing and minimal combat.
positive · AI labelView post →Not only are we looking at a new Styx game later this year, but the old two are like £4 for *both* on Steam right now. Perfectly good stealth games, that I feel are kind of overlooked between Thief and Hitman.
positive · AI labelView post →Very WIP section of a cutscene from the Y2K boyband horror game I'm working on! Popular musicians tend to all have their fair share of haters, but these STYX hacker guys seem particularly passionate about it......... #NQB8 #gamedev #indiegamedev #solodev #ambattiiart
neutral · AI labelView post →7. Styx: Blades of Greed - 2025 No set release date as of writing, but oh my god am I thrilled we got a new stabby gobbo game, I loved the previous one, the level design was incredible, and there just isn't that many pure stealth games these days, so it was a delight when I saw this announced.
positive · AI labelView post →The goblin game Styx seems good and I appreciate the work which went into it. Whilst it is a stealth game, I think that my ideal type of game like this would be faster paced with big tall buildings. You play as a goblin who can climb very fast and you have a grotto which you live in
positive · AI labelView post →Styx Master of Shadows is a rare game that commits to pure stealth, without being power fantasy or an action pretending to be stealth. And while it is undeniably janky experience, Styx has a surprising amount of heart beneath all of that rough exterior. Not unlike its main protagonist, I suppose xD Styx himself is the main draw. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a protagonist this much. His jokes don’t always land, but the voice acting, personality, and overall characterization carry…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Out today, Styx: Blades of Greed isn't quite as well cut out as a fine piece of quartz, but it's easily the best stealth game in years - and so utterly compelling you'll be desperate to get back to it when you have to do boring un-murdery things. Our review: www.eurogamer.net/styx-blades-...
neutral · AI labelView post →13. Styx: Blades of Greed I was ridiculously happy when they announced a new Styx game, so for folks who love a good stealth 'em up murder puzzle, STABBY GOBBO IS BACK! store.steampowered.com/app/3290690/...
positive · AI labelView post →Greb got given a key for the new Styx game so we're checking that out today! Live in 15m @ www.twitch.tv/iggymaid with Styx: Blades of Greed, join the Greb as it demonstrates to you its Stelf™️abilities #vtuber #twitch #Styx #furry
neutral · AI labelView post →tried it for free at epic then decided to support the developer and Steam
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Also, did you know there was a new Styx game announced? No idea about a release date, but I've got a lot of fondness for the murder goblin, and I'm genuinely thrilled we'll be getting a new game sometime soon.
positive · AI labelView post →10 mins to more goblin stelf™️with Greb playing Styx! Armed now with an acid knife, many warcrimes are about to happen over at - www.twitch.tv/iggymaid shares/lurks all welcomed ♥ Week of Greb starts tomorrow for its birthday on the 12th! #vtuber #twitch #styx
neutral · AI labelView post →just found out that a new Styx game is here 😭 its one of my fav stealth games, reallyl iked the first 2 games
positive · AI labelView post →these are both types of name that WoW can contain - self-aware humor in the first case, and sincere homage to specific myth families in the second case. But a game with all "Styx" would be way worse than a game with all "Jotungeirr, Destiny's Call" I think. When in doubt, take your game sincerely.
neutral · AI labelView post →Wait is there a new Styx game coming out? I didn't know <:{ www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxS7...
neutral · AI labelView post →My pal @littlebluedrop.bsky.social has asked to hear “Renegade” by Styx (no we didn’t agree to both choose a Styx song). Gets him through those stressful moments of a Steeler’s game. 🏈 #paws4music youtu.be/E9eLz4DrwF8?...
neutral · AI labelView post →www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxS7... HOLY SHIT A NEW STYX GAME YEEEESSSSSS I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE MY MANS BACK!!!! 😍😃😄🤩❤️💚💦✨
positive · AI labelView post →There are parts of the game that might make the game overall better. Unfortunately, whoever made this game decided to lock the most amount of points per mission that you need to upgrade your abilities behind a gameplay style that requires you to not even engage with whole swathes of the game. For example, combat. You have a combat system and lethal throwables, but if you engage in any of these you are penalized at the end with less points. According to the developers, you are playing the game…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sunday Plug: the new STYX game is so good man. Allow me to explain why here over lots of lovely 1440p footage tl;dr the best entry in the series youtu.be/fd4fnMfeu_Q
positive · AI labelView post →Styx is a very pure stealth game. You are not supposed to get into combat, which sucks on purpose. You are supposed to sneak past enemies undetected, maybe quietly murder them from behind. Once you get used to this playstyle it's fun to ghost all the levels.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For an alternate stealth agility game I recommend the **Styx** series. For sailing and bashing heads I recommend **Valheim**. For *actual* sailing and trading I recommend **Sailwind**. For another singleplayer pirate experience I recommend **Salt 2: Shores Of Gold**. **Windrose** also looks promising. **Blazing Sales** looks like a blast of a PvP Battle Royale pirate game. **Blackwake** is a free and straightforward pirate ship PvP game. Very fun but low server population numbers at odd…
neutral · AI labelView post →Weekly Schedule! More Ghostwire, starting over REANIMAL for co-op with @tiasinger.bsky.social, more Spanish Bioshock in Crisol, and checking out the newest Styx game!
neutral · AI labelView post →New game start Styx 3, its good to see this little goober back, missed me some nice stealth too
positive · AI labelView post →Edit - For the salty and offended ones, I recommend learning what a stealth game actually is and how its mechanics work. If you get upset because it’s your favorite game, that’s unfortunate, I don’t write good reviews just because a game looks pretty or “feels cool.” I’ve seen a lot of people calling this phenomenal stealth, some even rating it 8 or 9, and I genuinely don’t understand based on what criteria. This is not about personal taste, it’s about structure, mechanics and execution. If…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've been playing that first Styx game, and it's good fun. Just enjoyable to sneak around as a little shit.
positive · AI labelView post →Great game, if a little repetitive. I beat it yesterday, yet I can't remember many unique areas. Either a lot of the map design simply blend together or they reused a lot of design sections. I have this feeling that I've seen some specific maps maybe 3 or more times during the playthrough. Weird. The stealth holds up quite well. I saw a review stating that enemies can see you across the map and I can see why someone would think that. In the beginning I found it difficult to understand…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →what do you mean there is a new Styx Goblin game coming out?
neutral · AI labelView post →Styx Master of Shadows is extremely my shit. It's a stealth game and you play as a nasty lil goblin
positive · AI labelView post →This game really got on my nerves at times. I swear, the guards could spot me from spots they shouldn’t even be able to see. One tiny mistake, and suddenly everyone was on high alert for me. And yeah, I reloaded my saves. A lot. But I kept coming back for more. Once I got the hang of watching the patrols, figuring out my own paths, and sneaking through the levels, it felt ridiculously rewarding. Sure, the game has its rough patches, but that adds to its charm in a way. Styx is probably my…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →absolute goblinema. i expected it to be more old and unpolished, but it nice to play even now. still not perfect tho: some colliders are strange and you need to overcorrect your jumps, some patrol points are wild (witch i found more interesting this way), at some point you notice that everything around you made of same assets. and i wish i had like 2-3 quicksave slots. but problems are so minor, and actual gameplay is so good, you will forget all the cons after few alerts.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Styx: Master of Shadows Review Review is after 100% the game, completing the story and obtaining all collectibles. Pros: Stealth! Yay! Cool stealth based skills. Ability to undo skills and redistribute/re-spec as needed. Can replay missions to earn extra skill points. Very player friendly game. Cool fantasy world, setting and lore. Quick save and manual save work well. As it should in a stealth game. Story has unexpected twists that kept things interesting. Dropping…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After playing Styx, I received my diploma of Goblin studies and am now legally certified to perform designated Goblin Activities such as: Sneaking, Stealing, Sabotaging and have mastered the art of "Going Goblin" or more readily known as the act of going goblin mode. 11/10 would school myself again.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Styx ZX Spectrum | Bug Byte | 1983 #retrogaming #zxspectrum #bugbyte A simple early game by Matthew Smith (of Manic Miner/JSW fame). A remake may be appearing soon...
neutral · AI labelView post →Styx, goblin that stinks. Half breed, half smelly. Overall ok if you don't like orcs. Part of the trilogy of deadly goblin assassins.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Friend: *plays newest Styx game* Me: Ohh that actually looks fun and I love how derpy the NPC ai is *checks reviews on steam* "It's nothing like Styx 2" "It's nothing like Styx 2" "It's nothing like Styx 2" "It's nothing like Styx 2" Heaven forbid a studio be allowed to try something new.
neutral · AI labelView post →The new Styx is bloody good, so I gave it four stars in this review on eurogamer dot net www.eurogamer.net/styx-blades-...
positive · AI labelView post →A game where the underworld has a bureaucratic mix-up and nobody is where they should be and you play Charon taking people where they are supposed to go and it's not so secretly Crazy Taxi on the Styx
neutral · AI labelView post →Styx is a very fun stealth game, playing Shards of Darkness.
positive · AI labelView post →I miss the second Styx game where he'd break the 4th wall to call me a virgin and various other demeaning comments and insults. Need to be a good dumb gobbo simpsubf@g for him haha oops
positive · AI labelView post →Tedious inconsistent stealth with awful checkpoints that will have you wasting a bunch of time if the inconsistent stealth alerts an enemy causing you to die. Hard Pass.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Styx who? NFL announces U2 will play "Renegade" at halftime of Steelers game in Dublin.
neutral · AI labelView post →Almost finished the game on platinum #styx
positive · AI labelView post →We're officially running! 🤩Hi everyone! We're moendo, a small indie studio from Galicia, Spain, and we're already preparing our first game: Across The Styx (that's all you get for now! haha) feel free to sign up for more news! moendostudio.com
neutral · AI labelView post →Did you know that Cyanide, the studio behind the Pro Cycling Manager and Tour de France game series, are also the team that make games like Styx, Blood Bowl and Call of Cthulhu? I love studios that have multiple creative pillars, and Cyanide is a great example. They're consistent, and experiment!
neutral · AI labelView post →Returned player here. This is the first Styx game which was released in 2014, 12 years ago but I always thought it was much earlier. I think many stealth games were made around that time, but not many got sequels and are still alive today. Styx was one of the lucky ones, why him? I remember it as a fun game: more than one path for stealth, you can remain unnoticed high on the ceiling or low to the ground in tunnels. The maps are layered with several floors, complicated but fun to explore. A…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →2026 . And this is still a good game. This is my first time trying the tittle. The story in nice. Gameplay is simple. Ai acts as it should. Maybe only music and sound is what isn't that impactful. But I loved the green guy. Also graphic stands up very good despite its age. I have only two complains - There is no clear path to the objective sometimes - (and) different enemy types don't fight each other . Which feels very odd However I Definively will try the other two sequels after…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is fine, or at least it once was. But they clearly have left it behind as it no longer functions properly on modern rigs. Gotta force it to run in dx11 using launch commands or it doesn't even render, it loads at 2x the size of the monitor so you can neither see nor click on any menu buttons, and it demands between 40 and 50% of the CPU and Memory even sitting on the main menu. Note that I tried many different methods to make it render properly and none I found made any difference,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🗡Styx: Blades of Greed Sneaks onto Steam with an Exclusive Demo 🗡The game is now available for pre-order on consoles and PC Read more: indieinsights.org/styx-blades-... #StyxBladesofGreed #ActionAdventure #Singleplayer #IndieGame
neutral · AI labelView post →Only buy this game if your a fan of stealth games in particular. if you don't care for stealth then you will hate this game. If you like stealth, you might have a good time, I did personally.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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