Styx: Master of Shadows
Styx: Master of Shadows
Game
Game2017
Styx: Shards of Darkness
Developer Cyanide Studio
Styx: Shards of Darkness is a stealth video game developed by French developer Cyanide and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released worldwide on 14 March 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the sequel to the 2014 game Styx: Master of Shadows, and the third game set in the fictional world of the Of Orcs and Men series. A sequel, Styx: Blades of Greed, was released in 2026. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
309 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 4, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
80
LovedLoved
156 positive · 40 negative
95% range 73–85%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 156 | 40 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 29 | 2 | 71 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 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
2,615 of 3,212 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
80% recommend · 151 yes, 38 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 189 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (5,878 of 7,064 positive).
Players widely praise the improved level design and freedom of approach. [1][2][3] Many reviewers note the game is a significant improvement over its predecessor. [2][4][5] Some players criticize the difficulty and clunky controls. [6][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [6]
Personally thought this one was worse than the first. The Good: - More stealth maps with a variety of routes and abilities to adapt to your playstyle, great. - The shadows were actually darker in this game, nice. The Bad: - Jumping somehow felt more clunky than the first now that there's more complex geometry. - Could just be a M&kb thing, and so I was missing colored buttons, but I didn't like the look of the …
- [2]
Styx: Shards of Darkness is a massive improvement over the first entry in every way! The levels are incredibly non-linear and interconnected, giving you so much freedom to choose your path and is especially apparent when you have to complete multiple objectives. This really enhances the stealth experience by forcing you to plan which entry point is best and which route works for your exit. While the core gameplay …
- [9]
Honestly? Fantastic stealth game! I tried this game years ago and for whatever reason it didn't click.. but I'm glad I was able to get it on sale for $2 with a friend, and we've been really enjoying it. The level design in particular is some of the best I've seen in a stealth game, offering a wide range of different paths to reach your objective.. Styx feels like a spiritual successor to the original Thief games …
- [5]
The first Styx game was already pretty charming, this sequel improves on almost every aspect. The only thing that doesn't hold up compared to the first game is the plot, which is generic and rarely very interesting, which did disappoint me as the first game actually gripped me with its plot. The game looks better, the gameplay is smoother and the world building is more in depth and interesting making it an overall …
- [1]
After finishing Master of Shadows, I came into this one skeptical. The first game felt more like a punishment simulator than a stealth experience, with inconsistent AI, labirynth-style level design and mechanics that didn’t fully support the fantasy of being a goblin assassin. This sequel improves on that, but it still doesn’t fully escape its own limitations. The first major improvement is fluidity. Movement feels …
Summarised from 34 of the 289 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 11, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
80% of the 189 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Styx: Shards of Darkness. The complaint that keeps coming up: some players find the game too difficult. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Styx: Shards of Darkness received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator platform Metacritic. Destructoid's Nic Rowen scored the game a 7/10 with the consensus "Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun." Leif Johnson from IGN gave the game a score of 7.8/10 saying that "Styx: Shards of Darkness is a challenging stealth adventure with just as much snark as it has sneaking." Jon Morcom of PC Gamer awarded it a 79/100 stating that "A mean-spirited character leads a big-hearted game; you're unlikely to dwell on its lore but its features combine well to create a satisfying stealth experience."
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 309 · 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/...
neutral · 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 →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 →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 →Good co-op game. But look up the bind for invisibility if you plan to play it, the game never actually tells you how to do it. Otherwise, you might end up playing half a stealth game without going invisible.
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 →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 →After finishing Master of Shadows, I came into this one skeptical. The first game felt more like a punishment simulator than a stealth experience, with inconsistent AI, labirynth-style level design and mechanics that didn’t fully support the fantasy of being a goblin assassin. This sequel improves on that, but it still doesn’t fully escape its own limitations. The first major improvement is fluidity. Movement feels smoother, the game runs better on modern hardware, and overall it simply feels…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Styx: Shards of Darkness is a massive improvement over the first entry in every way! The levels are incredibly non-linear and interconnected, giving you so much freedom to choose your path and is especially apparent when you have to complete multiple objectives. This really enhances the stealth experience by forcing you to plan which entry point is best and which route works for your exit. While the core gameplay remains similar to Master of Shadows, it has received some great reworks. You…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Wait is there a new Styx game coming out? I didn't know <:{ www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxS7...
neutral · AI labelView post →Incredible game. This game is a lot of fun if you like stealth games. The levels are great and the gameplay feels really good overall. Styx himself is also really funny and makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Even though it says unsupported on Steam Deck (I play on SD OLED), it runs perfectly with no issues at all. Definitely recommend it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Styx: Shards of Darkness basically boils down to being a stinking ugly goblin and sneaking around while trying to find a way to get rich, just like in the first game. In case you don't know, it’s the direct sequel to this game here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/242640/Styx_Master_of_Shadows/ I’ve played the first game before playing this one, and a tl;dr for my opinion would be that it’s just a bigger and better version of the first game, so, with it being a clear improvement, I’m…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView 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!!!! 😍😃😄🤩❤️💚💦✨
neutral · AI labelView 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 →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 →This game is a lot better than I expected it to be. Being the tiniest of the tiny goblins scurrying around is fun because there is a good chance everything around you might be trying to end your adventure prematurely. You aren’t special, you aren’t a hero, and, in most cases, the best course of action is to hide and wait for a guard to cross into another zone. These are probably my favorite games. And let me tell you, I’ve messed up royally and had to flee the area with over half of the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Imagine huge ass orc bending over in front of your ugly face and preparing to launch final assault from rear exhaust directly into your face. You're Styx, small goblin that stinks, apparently trickster. Going stealth and smelling like a dead fish from far away. Navigate through dungeons and lands unknown to humanz. Fight with monsters and dark elves mostly. Story is not bad considering you're not a typical hero going one man army, but a bit nasty half breed. Action is good, involving some…
positive · 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 →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 →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 →Personally thought this one was worse than the first. The Good: - More stealth maps with a variety of routes and abilities to adapt to your playstyle, great. - The shadows were actually darker in this game, nice. The Bad: - Jumping somehow felt more clunky than the first now that there's more complex geometry. - Could just be a M&kb thing, and so I was missing colored buttons, but I didn't like the look of the menu's. - For some reason the my computer's fans would max out in the hub area…
negative · 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.
positive · 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 really good stealth game Fixed a lot of the jank of the prequel and the level design is even better here There a lot of items to help you with making your own play style A must play for stealth fans
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a neutral review. Styx: Shards of Darkness is an ok stealth game, but as far as I'm concerned is one of those games where the fun is equally proportionate with frustration. Story is below average in my opinion, it's very episodic, it doesn't include any epic or interesting event except some revelations on how amber is created (amber is an important substance in the game's world). Also the ending is incredibly poor and disappointing, it ends with a cliffhanger. Graphic is good,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView 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 →I wanted to wait until I had finished the game before writing my review but I cannot put into words how much I hate these 4th wall breaks. During the TUTORIAL you get IRL references like Toy Story and Tarzan and after every death Styx talks to you which really ruins my immersion into the game. This is my review for NOW! - Full one comes later
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView 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 →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 →English-only, goblin using cool and hip slang. Rest of the game is great tho.
positive · 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 →Honestly? Fantastic stealth game! I tried this game years ago and for whatever reason it didn't click.. but I'm glad I was able to get it on sale for $2 with a friend, and we've been really enjoying it. The level design in particular is some of the best I've seen in a stealth game, offering a wide range of different paths to reach your objective.. Styx feels like a spiritual successor to the original Thief games more so than Splinter Cell. In fact, you are almost entirely useless in…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →playing the first Styx game and i am 100% bricked up the entire time
positive · AI labelView post →New Styx game WOOO LET'S GOOOO! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixH...
positive · AI labelView post →Good co-op, fun game, interesting levels with different challenges. The levels are pretty open, meaning you can choose different ways to reach your goal. The story isn't bad. Definitely recommend going co-op on this!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game isn't buggy and there are no microtransactions. 10/10 stealth game, would consume white powder for superpowers again.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Games should be fun and not a mirror showing me what an incompetent loser I am. That's not why I paid money when I purchased the game. But even on story mode this game is way too difficult. And before all the smart-asses here gleefully start preaching: I know it's a stealth game, I know that I need to pay attention to the environs, I don't do Rambo style approaches etc. etc. etc. But having to repeat countless times the same boss fight because I die half way through? With no option to skip the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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