Stygian: The Outer Gods’ early access launch shows some promise under its rough exterior

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Misterial’s game, Stygian: Outer Gods, serves as a prequel to Stygian: Realm of the Outer Gods, which was inspired by both Silent Hill and Fallout 2 in terms of horror and RPG elements. Instead of turn-based combat, this version focuses on first-person exploration, survival, and stealth. It also retains much of the character development found in its predecessor that is based on choices made. This combination results in a suspenseful adventure through a distorted physical and psychological world. However, Outer Gods’ script and combat mechanics, though innovative, are its weakest aspects, detracting from the overall experience.

The what now

The story “Outer Gods: Stygian” begins with Jack, a well-known explorer, experiencing a distressing dream or recollection. The circumstances are intentionally unclear, but it’s clear that Jack is facing difficulties. It appears that his past expedition encountered issues, as he mentions his brother, a haunted temple, and dealing with supernatural forces. After waking up in a state of alarm.

The narrative in Stygian appears to be multifaceted, yet it’s hidden beneath writing that often veers towards obscurity. This observation is not merely an exaggeration. The dialogue frequently attempts a florid style reminiscent of the Edwardian era, but just as frequently, characters switch to contemporary language – using “invite” instead of “invitation,” for instance. Furthermore, there are numerous instances where the plot becomes confusing, such as when main characters discuss critical story points and their significance is unclear.

Victoria expresses reluctance when mentioning Kingsport, indicating that it may be difficult to persuade others about this location. Furthermore, she seems to have little trust in someone or something, which appears to stem from a separate conversation. Early access games often undergo changes and enhancements during development, so I hope the creators of Misterial pay close attention to the dialogue in future updates to provide clarity and consistency.

It takes a village to (break your mind)

Outer Gods resembles a mix of Resident Evil Village and Silent Hill 2, blending light role-playing game (RPG) and survival features. Before embarking on your adventure to Kingsport, you’ll have the chance to customize Jack’s abilities during a reflective moment in the bathroom. You can make him physically strong but weak in occult matters or excel at stealth and persuasion but struggle with combat. These decisions significantly impact Jack’s journey as they immediately affect how you navigate through Kingsport. If you boost his resistance to the supernatural and focus on the occult, you’ll likely survive encounters with the town’s dangerous inhabitants more easily and unravel its mysteries more smoothly.

Upon arriving at Kingsport, Jack discovers the seaside town is in a state of chaos. Most inhabitants are either deceased, consuming the dead, or gathered together in a trance-like state, while Victoria’s primary objective – locating Jack’s father – seems to have taken a backseat. Her only clue about their purpose in Kingsport resides within a wealthy trader’s mansion, which is mysteriously sealed by a magical barrier that can be opened using three specific discs. Thus, the duo embarks on a journey to the cursed village to locate these discs and gain an understanding of how Stygian: Outer Gods unfolds.

Violence shouldn’t be the answer

As a curious explorer, Stygian nudges me to delve into the eerie town filled with murderers and witches, testing my wits and survival skills. The gameplay mechanics might seem familiar from other survival-horror games, like sneaking past or distracting enemies, but the intricate layout of the town amplifies tension and creativity in these tried-and-true strategies. Each district offers multiple paths to navigate, allowing for a unique blend of distractions and strategic sprints. Even escaping enemies isn’t without consequence, as Jack’s sanity takes a toll every time he encounters anything related to the occult. A witch’s chant may not be lethal, but it can shatter his fragile mind. Mastering the delicate balance between Jack’s needs and my own exploration and survival is one of Stygian’s most compelling aspects.

Regrettably, conflicts are unavoidable in Stygian, but they’re rather uneventful at the start. Instead of a strategic dance, it’s mostly a monotonous exchange of blows, with the goal being to eliminate your adversary before they can do the same to you. The strategy involved is limited to knowing when to defend and when to attack, and the enemy patterns for the initial hours are quite predictable. However, things become slightly more engaging once Jack obtains a gun and ventures beyond the village square. At present, battles are undeniably a weak spot in Stygian, as I find the survival aspects, such as enduring the elements and preventing Jack from succumbing to madness, far more compelling. The combat system is so basic that I wish Stygian would emphasize its stealth and psychological horror elements instead.

The Outer Gods game requires more effort, which is why early access phases are designed for such improvements. After a thorough revision and adjustments in balance, the Outer Gods could potentially shed its clear influences and establish a robust identity based on its unique strengths.

For this review, I received a pre-release version of the game Stygian: Outer Gods on PC. Starting April 14, 2025, you can purchase and play Stygian: Outer Gods through Steam in early access.

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2025-04-11 16:28