Cyanide’s Styx franchise has steadily carved its niche as a standout in the stealth genre, blending grim, fantastical settings with intricate mechanics and a memorable protagonist. The upcoming Styx: Blades of Greed aims to amplify the series’ signature challenge, promising the most ambitious and demanding chapter yet.

A Gamescom preview offered an extended look at the title, underscored by its sprawling vertical environments. The demo’s vast, layered map emphasized exploration, though initial encounters with controls felt cumbersome. Occasional AI inconsistencies—guards overlooking Styx in visible areas—stood out, though these may improve before launch. Once adjusted, the game’s punishing stealth focus shone: enemies vigilantly patrol, responding aggressively to disturbances. Evasion requires meticulous planning—leverage shadows by dousing torches, divert attention with crafted noises, or scale structures to bypass threats. Objective markers guide navigation, letting players prioritize cunning over wayfinding.

Beyond agility, Styx’s expanded toolkit deepens strategic options. A progression system unlocks abilities like conjuring decoys, deploying respawn nodes, or manipulating foes’ minds. New gear, including a grapple and glider, synergizes with the open-ended environments, inviting creative problem-solving. This sandbox philosophy encourages experimentation, hinting at thrilling possibilities for stealth purists.

While the demo’s learning curve felt steep, its vision for elevating the series was clear. With diverse mechanics and systemic freedom, Styx: Blades of Greed could redefine the franchise when it launches this autumn on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.