“Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew” is the latest stealth strategy game from Mimimi Games, and it’s a significant release as the studio’s first self-published title. Fans of Mimimi Games, like myself, had high expectations following their previous hits, and I was not disappointed. After playing for five hours, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this game.
Characters and Character
Right from the start, it’s clear that “Shadow Gambit” boasts the best lineup of characters we’ve seen from this studio. Each new recruit (or rather, resurrection) feels unique and vital to the story. The main character, Afia, stands out with excellent voice acting and engaging dialogue. Her interactions with Marley, the ghost ship, are especially notable. And yes, you can actually converse with the ship, which is an interesting twist.
Afia and Marley
Marley, the ghost ship, serves as both your guide and the game’s central hub. You can explore the ship, interact with various parts, and run through tutorials for new heroes on deck. The ship is bustling with skeletons going about their tasks, making the hub world feel vibrant and alive.
Storyline
The story begins simply, focusing on gathering the old crew of the legendary Captain Mordechai. The evil Inquisition stands as the main antagonist, racing you to find Captain Mordechai’s treasure. This treasure could potentially crush the Inquisition and turn the tide in your favor. The world-building is impressive, with characters offering reactive dialogue about their surroundings and current objectives. Their unique designs and conversations, reflecting their past lives, add an intriguing layer to the game.
Gameplay and Freedom
If you’ve played “Shadow Tactics” or “Desperados 3,” you’ll recognize Mimimi’s focus on player choice. The entire map is a sandbox, and the game has made several improvements based on past titles. There’s more environmental interaction, allowing you to manipulate surroundings to eliminate enemies.
A significant change is the introduction of supernatural abilities for characters. These can be used for taking out targets, distractions, or even manipulating space-time. For instance, Afia can “blink” toward targets to execute them or freeze time briefly. While these abilities might seem overpowered, the clever placement of guards demands strategic thinking and quick reflexes. For veterans of Mimimi’s games, higher difficulty levels will provide a satisfying challenge.
Shadow Mode
During missions, you’ll need to strategically use your crew members through “Shadow Mode,” which lets you issue simultaneous commands. This is crucial for coordinating attacks on multiple enemies. Moving around is quicker, and controlling characters together helps cover more ground. Switching between them is seamless, and mastering their abilities becomes second nature. While the game is playable with a controller, I found the keyboard and mouse offered greater freedom and precision.
Quick-Saving
Quick-saving is cleverly integrated into the narrative. Marley, the ship, can manipulate space-time to create memories, which function as quick saves. This feature encourages you to save often and adds an interesting dynamic to the gameplay.
Presentation
Visually, “Shadow Gambit” is a huge leap forward from the studio’s previous titles. The game features large, detailed islands, reactive elements, multiple animations, and stunning lighting. The art direction and overall visuals are standout features, making the game a joy to experience.
Overall, “Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew” has surpassed my expectations with its rich characters, engaging storyline, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. The game is a must-play for fans of stealth strategy games.