Styx, Stealth, and the Western B-Game
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- Опубликовано: 3 июл 2024
- The INSANE History Behind the Most MISUNDERSTOOD Stealth Series
Getting old is great, actually - it means you can appreciate stealth games after years of "just not getting it, really." I love Thief, I love Dishonored, but with Styx, I started to understand the proper appeal of the genre. I think it's at least worth highlighting. And hey - the industry's still being itself, so why not hop on old games? They're still there!! All of them!!
This video essay, or whatever you wanna call it, digs into the history of Cyanide Studio, Spiders, the progenitor to the Styx games in Orcs and Men, and eventually the Styx duology. I'm sure I'll have to change the thumbnail and title to really hit the algo with this one, but I promise the meat's good. Maybe "Styx, Cyanide, and the Western B Game" ... ... Lol jk this is youtube, I ain't sending my work out to die for free T_T
*also dropping an apology here for conflating OCD and perfectionism. I'll make sure I don't do that going forward.
COME CHILL:
/ kbash
/ kbashshow
Tracks Used:
Orcs and Men's OST, both the Styx OSTs, some of Fable & Fable II, like 1 track from Napple Tale...
Sources:
www.archaic.fr/interviews/int...
rpgwatch.com/show/newsbit?new... (host link is dead)
Chapters:
0:00 did you know gaming?
3:35 Cyanide, Orcs and Men
22:48 Styx and Stealth
43:24 funny goblin game 
Игры
SORRY to all patrons whose names were sliced from the credits - I have no idea how it happened, and since the thing didn't die in the algo and I don't wanna kill it, I'm going to personally shout out the people below:
ROYLANDO
RPGAYMER
RYAN MACHELL
RYAN "MORI" BROOKS
SAIGONMAN
SALSA
SALTY SMASHER
SCRIBE SLENDY
SEKAINOOWARIDE
SENSUALCODER
SEPHIRIAM
SEXY BIONICLE GF
SHAUD
SHINTENDO
SHUT UP WESLEY
SILVERBEAR909
SINGE
SIMP GOD
SIRDOODLESALOT
SIR. SLURPSALOT
SLEEPYWABBIT
SNART
SMALL SMALL TURTLE HOUSE
SO ZETTA DAD
SOCK 'EM BOPPERS
SOCKDOLAGER
SPACE LIZARD
SPIDER-DAD
SQUIJID
SQUISHWARD
STARNIGHTSKY
STORMSTRIDER AND THE HOUSE OF STORM
STREPHEN BATTLES
SUPER DINGUS
SUPER SANDWICH GUY
TAYA TOXIN
TCHORN CHUBBINGTON
TERRNENCESWIFF
THE BIG BUBBY
THE CLOWN PRINCE OF CRINGE
THE DIGITAL DUTCHMAN
THE GOOD LORD HAS BLESSED ME HALLELUJAH!
THE GREEN LOKI
THE KIRSPIBOI
THE PEACEMAKER PYRO
THENACIKNIGHT
THENOMAD
THE REAL MCCOY
THICCDICKMYSTIC
THRESH
THRIPS HEARTROP
TIGGLESMCGUFFIN
TIM LOBSTER
TIMID THE WRITER
TONY JONES, THE LEGEND
TOTAL PLAY
TRAVIS EDWARDS
TWITTLE CHUNGGIS
TYGUY9001
TYPE-A GRAPEFRUIT
V1D
VACANTPLAZA
VALENRIST
VENOM
VICEPUP-
VIK
WALK IN GET RIGHT IN MY BAG
WAPOSA
WE ARE SO KBACK!
WEEBTRASH
WELLSHEAT
WEYLEN
WHEREAMIHELP
WIDGY
WINTRESOLTICE
WOODTV
WRENCHIMP
XANNYTANNER
XRAVIUS
YABOIFLYEST
YAROW12
YASHICHI
YEET KUNE DO
YOUR MOM ;)
ZACHARY LIVESAY
ZACHARY V
ZANASO
ZANE THE IMPURE
ZANE THE PURE
ZEDSLAYERGAMER
ZERO ZALAZOR
ZILVLYNRAE
ZNOVA
ZYBER BUNK
*if you'd like a refund for this error, DM me on the patreon site, please!
Some of those names actually go so hard
You could always just say their names twice next video. That's how that works, right? 🙃
This was the first video I watched from your channel. I was scrolling thru, saw a Styx review/critique & was like "omg someone else actually played this game!"
More power to you
👍
I didn’t forget Styx. In fact, I gave master of shadows its only 90 on metacritic! (It was a 10/10 to me, but my boss dropped the score because IGN gave it a 7)
Another IGN L.
Damn
Hi Geoff, what're you doing here?
@@hplwonder4054 supporting his Canadian brethren
Geoff commenting on a Kbash video...has Kbash finally made it?
common Geoff W
I remember Styx.
But I definitely didn't play Styx.
Same. I actually recognized it from the thumbnail. Also I think I own it but never cracked it open. lol
I just remember the trailers for 1 and 2 were drastically different in tone
I played 3hrs then couldn't refund it 😂
Everytime KBash starts talking about his frustration with the game-playing publics's inability to engage with things on their own terms I feel that shit
Oh the game-playing public, can't live with em, can't live without em.
Well it can be a huge consumption of time
@notmarz45 so is any form of entertainment or hobby in general if you'd go that far
Man's so good he snuckin with a stealthy up-
*WHERE'S YOUR HAIR!?!*
KBash, if you ever see this, for whatever it's worth, these niche titles that never got their day in the sun is exactly what I come to this channel to see. There are hidden gems, like Styx, that I will never have the time to enjoy. Life happens. Responsibilities accrue. Time becomes a commodity. Watching your videos is the closest that I, and a lot of your fans, can come to having these experiences. Thank you for giving us that.
I have a distinct memory of seeing this game on the shelf of a GameStop, not having any money, and thusly not buying it.
Multiple multiple times
Relatable
Hey, Styx! I remember Styx. Shoutout to that one other guy in the audience with me who does. ...Styx always felt like it SHOULD be worse than it is. Like, in a different world, where the stealth genre isn't so empty, the standards would be high enough that Styx would be too janky to rate. But we're not in that world, competition is scarce, and some jank never hurt anyone.
I dunno. I played Styx and tried to like it. I'm not one to turn away from jank, I like it. But with the first Styx I found only one problem: everything it does is done better in another game. It feels like a spiritual inspiration for Dishonored, but it came out 2 years after Dishonored. Stealth always strived on iteration. Metal Gear was a more complex Wolfenstein, Metal Gear 2 was a retelling of the first game with better technology and the vision realized. Splinter Cell was Thief, but modern spec-ops and all it entails. Metal Gear Solid V is the known series, but open world sandbox, Dishonored is Thief, but more immersive sim and superpowers, all the great games are very distinct, but Styx… Styx is Dishonored, but without combat and a lot more jank. and, well, you can just play Dishonored, while not fighting people perfectly well.
I don't know about my standards, but I found Styx to be THE mediocre stealth game. not too bad, not too good, the most interesting part about it is how okay the game is
Jank hurts everyone, stuff like this isn't a badge of honor.
it's just showing that you can't limit yourself properly.
@@thereseemstobeenanerror1219
Very dramatic of you lmao
@@jakejutras5420
I mean... I am a drama hound, lol.
@@DorkN313 So... it's not Dishonored at all then.
Omg he cut his hair
his HAIR
his HAIR
Damn, Spoiler Alert!!!!
Looks good KBash 👍
😭😭😭
The haircut made me think this was an older video for a second I was very confused
You know what’s funny? I knew Styx from “Of Orcs and Men” before I knew he had his own spin off.
And that is why you were bullied in high school.
Orcs and Men came first before Master of Shadows.
That's hilarious
I remember styx. I feel like I was one of the only people on planet earth that played these games and enjoyed them. Blemishes and all. Though sometimes the jank got to me.
I just uninstalled this last night thinking I'm not gonna touch this again anytime soon... Damn you now I want to.
Played through them earlier this year. Shards of Darkness is underrated af
I have always kind of loved Spiders, starting with Of Orcs and Men. I've never played a game from them that I thought was, like... exceptionally GOOD. They're usually fine... ish. But what I appreciate about them is that they tend to tackle really UNIQUE projects. Technomancer, Greedfall, that, uh... Fairy: Legends of Avalon or whatever it was. They take really fun ideas and turn them into generally playable and enjoyable experiences. Kind of a Dark Horse studio and I'm always happy to try something by them.
The funny thing for me is that I hated Technomancer but I LOVED Mars: War Logs. Technomancer was like a kid that tries too hard to be a cool kid and Mars like that weird goth that hangs out with a few other people but stays true to himself. Also Tehcnomancer was too clean for my liking, everything had that sterile feel that felt off, unlike Mars that was downright dirty and had that sweet spot of "High Tech Low Life" of the 80s and 90s movies and games aesthetic. Ugly graphics also contributed to that even more.
When a developer spent all of their budget on making the sure the game was really good but no money on actually marketing it. It's one of the best stealth games no one's heard of. It felt like I was playing OG Splinter Cell again, but with fantasy characters.
HAIR GONE
And since you mentioned Spiders, and the idea of treating lesser known/praised games with the same artistic validity as any other, it would be cool to see you dig in to that studio's catalogue some time. They have some interesting games in there. I'm particularly fond of Greedfall, that's definitely worth checking out if nothing else.
Adore all the effort to research the devs, their inspiration, etc. It adds so much texture to the retrospective.
Oh, I wasn't expecting anyone to talk about these games lol. They are super fun and being a little goblin puts you in the mindset of being a little cheeky guy who likes to rob and stab. Like in MGS I feel bad for shooting and killing randoms, but in this game it suits the character. Also just a lot of flexibility in how you navigate the level and move around that I quite enjoy.
Tbf I think that’s the point of MGS so they both accomplish their goals pretty well
@@ashleylongley1628 for sure, but it's nice to have a stealth game that tries something else
@@jakeymorrison-gardiner2903 true true
Hell yeah B-game coverage
As a huge fan of the original splinter cell games and thief I must confess that I never knew of Styx . After watching your video I bought both games on steam for 20 euros each and my money were well spent. Thank you for giving light to niece games such as this so that people like me can discover them and play them.
Styx is my favorite series under Kingdom Hearts. When I got Master of Shadows for free back in 2015 I never knew I would love these games so deeply that I was actually excited for a new game release. Back in 2017
I remember playing these game and honestly loving them. But I also love a grimey little goblin and play as many stealth options in games as I can. So even through any jank and stinky stand up I only remember having fun. I found this to be an incredibly interesting watch. I never new about Orcs and Men. Great video man.
A subscriber recommended this video, and I am blown away with how well you “get” the Styx games. So many people come to the games expecting normal, modern stealth games where stealth is typically optional and where you get just sword fight your way out of situations. Styx is not that. You have to be stealthy for the most part or else you’ll die. People need to look at these games as being like the Dark Souls of stealth. Where it’s super brutal, but when you master it, it’s extremely rewarding.
You nailed basically every point. Loved what you said about the humor in Styx: SOD and also what you said about how Styx can be someone to relate to when it feels like the whole world is against you.
So thanks for bringing more attention to these games! One last thing: you have got to try the Co-Op. it makes the game basically endlessly replayable and completely changes the dynamic of the game.
FYI: You can also disable the post-death "jokes" in the options. It makes it vastly more tolerable.
If you want some weird "outsider" games I would like to recommend three series
Patapon - a "strategic" game where you lead giant eyeballs to fight by rhythmically pressing buttons
Zeno clash - first person action fighting game set in a world straight out of surrealistic painting
Rock of Ages - a game where you play as a ball rolling down the hill to squash historic and mythological figures
really cool to see a video about these games, especially from you!
This is probably one of the best videos you've put out but maybe I'm a bit biased because your opinions are in line with my own. I just really enjoy the genuine, enthusiastic coverage of games that otherwise wouldn't get a second look, much less a first one.
Yayyy! Regular kbash is back! Love this vid, love the hair cut!
Been keeping up for awhile, your videos are getting REALLY good dude💪
Man i remember your hairstyle now from waaaay back when. Its giving ne nostalgia vibes
I was NOT prepared for that hair! Looks good!
bro how many references have i scooped from you to enchant my own private conversations with the most mundane people
Kbash, I'm always at Ohh when I watch your video, your writing is just immaculate. It's insane how deep and funny you can be at the same time. The passing is top notch every. single. time.
Thx so much for making these videos, they are deeply entertaining!
Great stuff Kbash!
I enjoyed this series and am really happy you covered them. great video .
I get so happy when I see a new kbash post, ty Mr. Bash. Can’t wait for the next vanillaware video
Just want to say that I love your videos, and this is a good one
I feel so sad being one of the few people that remember Styx lol.
I'm still a big fan of stealth games, it's just a shame most content creators (e.g. Centerstrain01) don't play them nearly as much anymore.
This, this is why i love this channel..❤
Really appreciate you taking the leap to invest in making this
YAS! Been waiting for this since you mentioned Styx on Twitter! ♥
Also, great new haircut. ^^
Great Video Kbash. really sold me on trying out Styx.
You have our full support brother Aaron!!!!
top notch video. Knew about styx (I am a game designer, I have to) the history is incredibly intruiguing. Subscribed!
I love these games. Good video. You earned my sub.
Hey Kbash! Love the new video! Stealth games are sorely underrated as a genre and I've always wanted to try playing Styx at some point! Unrelated: YOUR HAIR!
I remember finding out about styx some years back when I was doing research on stealth games to design my own! (was for a uni project iirc) Seemed pretty cool, and I got super sidetracked taking a look at trailers, gameplay videos, reviews of the game, etc. I actually already knew a lot more of the info in this video than I expected to haha (but buncha new stuff as well! great video!)
Even though I didn't play it, it I spent enough time with it (took heaps of notes from it and its reviews while designing my game) that it's occupied a very distinct place in my mind. I actually did get Styx Shards of Darkness in a GOG giveaway a while back, but never got 'round to it unfortunately. Gotta someday though!
So happy to see a video on Styx! Anyone I told these were excellent stealth games didn't want to check it out.
They're so much fun, even with the bank here and there.
Immediately found the style and verve put into this video to be delightful, thanks for making me remember Styx???
Thanks for shining light on those less known games while keeping your script funny and personal (and doing research on the teams and trying to understand the intent behind the games). And always resonating with your take on how the big public has been conditioned in having no taste for anything that's outside the blandest flavour
Loved getting the tags on the airship, had a good giggle at that first time I heard it
I loved your takes in this video. The whole idea of forcing players to engage with a game is a key aspect of what I love about game design. I'd been interested in the Styx for a while and now I'll definitely queue them up. You really sold them for me
I'm a big fan of these games, Master of shadows genuinely felt like a revelation to me. It got me into stealth games and I loved absolutely everything about this masterpiece. So seeing someone in 2024 speaking about this franchise is more than enough to make me happy. Great job and great video !
8:12 When you mentioned QT and put up an orc who looks like him I was _wheezing_
Another great review! I tried Styx but never actually played through it; I should give it another try.
grats, you got 140k views, first saw your vanillaware video, but these are all great.
Oooooh this has been on my wish list forever now. I may have to buy it finally.
As someone who LOVES stealth elements in video games I have a burning desire to get into this game. Thanks for introducing it to me
Great video. For some reason I own Of Orcs and Men, and also the first Styx game. But they both filtered me very early on. Of Orcs and Men especially just felt so difficult in the earliest levels.
The Super Mario Bros theme with piss/fart sounds as instruments will always be funny, KBash. Always.
40:10 The saddest instrument? The mellotron would like to have a word.
YT just randomly fed me this video, and I almost missed it.
I've never seen your channel before, but I... I think I love you.
Stealth is my ultimate genre. At my first job after university, a coworker gave me Thief I, prior to the Gold Ed.
I never really bonded with Styx, though I was very aware of it. I think because I was not into the lead character. But I think I'm going to play Of Orcs and Men as a proper prequel. And try Styx again. I think the dynamic between the two characters looks entertaining enough to make the game worthwhile.
Thanks for the background history. I love this sht. I'm sure you're aware of it, and it may be abandoned-ware at this point, and might be difficult to get running, but Velvet Assassin is also a wonderful game that no one knows. With, I might add, a female protagonist. Very different from a NOLF style female lead.
Highly recommended.
Amazing video as always! I randomly got the second Styx on sale and had a blast with it. It makes me wish more games were focused on one or just a few ideas instead of the whole gumbo thing cause they just kind of blend together now.
Also right after the banana joke I got a diarrhea ad lmao
I never watch the patreon shoutouts, but goddamn do I love the energy put into those.
Your cheesy sense of humor and lame joke cuts earned this sub. Love it 😅
I love this series.
Great video
Really intereating stuff! I'm always a fan of forgotten classics (These games are... roughly old enough to be classics, right?), and I think they just earned a spot on my backlog. I was linked this video in a discord server, and sorta recognized the thumbnail's style, and uh... turns out I've been saving your Xeno series videos for once I finish those games (Currently done with the main game of Blade 1, 2, and 3, and just wrapped up disc 1 of Xenosaga 3. Planning on doing Future Connected, Torna, and Future Redeemed after Gears). Having watched this, I can safely say I'm even more excited to finish them! Will have to check your other stuff as well
Played every single one of these. Love the entire series. I wish we got more.
banger video, i really like your takes on the video game industry, and these games are cool as fuck.
My friend told me of these games but not of the studio or their old works... Now these games are on my radar.
This was a great video.
Oh hey, I own these games, but haven't played them in almost a decade! Thanks for reminding me to revisit these.
Engaging for the algorithm. Fantastic as always.
“What is AAA gaming if not design gumbo?”
On fire and about to crash within 3-5 years?
Damn never thought I'd see a vid on this series pop up on my recommended, aweosme!
Nothing better than to see a new KBash video in my youtube feed
The K-Bash experience I subbed for!
Fantastic video
"Ever present cello" I'm sold I love the cello and it needs to be in more game scores
Very happy to see the spotlight put on the little rakash. While I’m getting tired of the prescriptions of dnd alignments these days I can’t help but describe Styx as the perfect chaotic neutral character. So chaotic to the point that he’s his own worst enemy and it is glorious in execution.
Since I actually knew how to use my analog stick I would have a lot of fun scaling the levels to find the perfect route to achieve my goals. Green skins for the win
Omg he’s re-entering his golden sun era. Slay
You’ve taken me from never hearing of these games to being very interested. Love games with additional friction compared to most mainstream games.
Got halfway through the first one. Gonna go finish it later cause of this thanks.
Goddamn I love Styx, thanks for shining a light on this bad boy
I remember stumbling across Styx playthrough when I was a kid and wanted to play it myself. Love playing stealth games and I’ve actually been planning to play both games some time soon.
"Boxy graphics" whilst the Fable music plays is genius. 8:01
Damn that conclusion went hard.
As a Spiders fan, I can say that there is a specific contingent of us beating that drum for all the janky fun games this studio has made
Its crazy i kept seeing styx on ps store and I'm now invested to play that and of orca men.
Wow thanks youtube algorithm! This was a great video. I've tried Styx a few times and always liked it, but got frustrated since I always try and full ghost stealth games when I'm not good enough. I didn't realize there was this much history in the series, I'll have to dig up some time and try it again
weirdly i was actually playing the second styx game when i got this video recomended to me
I certainly feel you about the artistic inequality, but that's the game. No matter what medium, we as people value different things, different aspects of said things, and only so much time on this mortal to appreciate them. People will be selective, because they have to. Especially in video games where play time can widly vary depending on skill level and the game's general length.
Another fantastic video from the best KBash on RUclips. I noticed, as of this comment, that the Patreon names are cut off early at the end. Just curious if anyone else had seen that.
Hell yeah finally someone actually put time into making a Styx video. Another underated game just like it's main character.
Man, that haircut makes you look so much better im gonna book an appointment for myself right now
I gotta get around to playing these.
for a second i got excited thinking you were reviewing shinobido series
I actually just started Styx Master of Shadows a few days before this went up.
Of Orcs and Men didn't click for me though, from a gameplay perspective
I swear I can count on my elbows the number of RUclipsrs who don't frustrate me after being in game dev for over a decade; glad we have KBash.