Miasma Chronicles

A serviceable tactics game lumbered with an uninspiring setting and narrative, brought right down by bigoted stereotypes.

The Bearded Ladies have been working their formula of turn-based tactics and real-time stealth for three games now, and it shows for better and worse. Miasma Chronicles is the studio's most ambitious effort in scale and depth, but carries over the flaws of previous titles as well as their strengths, and wraps its clever combat in dated humour and world design.

There's a kernel of a fantastic tactical role playing game in Miasma Chronicles, but it lacks polish in a few key areas, and while the lore and the characters are endearing in their own right the overarching fiction that binds it all together disappoints.

While Miasma Chronicles' tactical combat stylings are compelling, an undercooked narrative riddled with cliches, weak characters, and some glitchy behaviors hold this tactical RPG from its potential.

Miasma Chronicles is a fascinating experience that aims for a narrow target and hits it, for the most part. Making a serious, tactical RPG a vehicle for compelling storytelling is a tough proposition because the broad appeal of the latter is often at odds with the brutal vibes of the former. But with its tailored difficulty options, stealth options outside of combat, and, of course, the solid weight of the storytelling itself, Miasma Chronicles succeeds in its mission.

Miasma Chronicles isn’t far removed from the studios previous outing with Mutant Year Zero in neither setting or gameplay. That doesn’t mean however that it’s a bad game at all, Miasma feels more polished and nuanced than its predecessor which speaks volumes of the talent at the studio. However, for me the narrative wasn’t as strong as the world itself which wasn’t helped by the feeling of an abrupt ending to the whole affair. But Miasma Chronicles remains a good time due to the mix of tactical strategy and stealth gameplay.

Miasma Chronicles, while not without its flaws, shines in its intricately crafted environments and thrilling tactical combat, bringing life into what could have been a game as bleak as its dystopian world.

In the post-apocalyptic world of Miasma Chronicles, players embark on a gripping journey with Elvis, a young man possessing a unique glove that can control the devastating Miasma. Developed by The Bearded Ladies, known for Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, this turn-based tactical game offers a captivating story and memorable characters, though it follows a mostly linear narrative. While the exploration aspect may feel repetitive, the game truly shines in its intense combat, featuring Elvis's glove and strategic elements inspired by games like X-COM. With customization options, evolving characters, and no need for grinding, Miasma Chronicles delivers an accessible and engaging experience for players seeking a balance of gameplay and narrative.

Miasma Chronicles is the evolution of Mutam Year Zero. The Beardes Ladies could have released a sequel to the title, but it was launched to create a new IP, making it clear that in this to build post-apocalyptic worlds are the best. In addition, they manage to improve their formula for success, with a stealth system and deeper ambush that gives a wide variety of opportunities when planning each combat. Being able to eliminate several enemies prior to combat is undoubtedly a great idea, which adds one more point to the tactics of combat although, in this case, it is outside of it. And it's very rewarding.

Miasma Chronicles is a good strategy game that delivers a fun and engaging story that builds on important elements from the developer's previous game. While technical issues do affect the experience, it's a challenging title that fans of the genre will love.