We first saw Miasma Chronicles through a great teaser trailer, then went hands on with the game when we met with the developers during last year’s trade show season. As fans of The Bearded Ladies’ previous game Mutant Year Zero, we were eager to see how it’d turn out. Here’s our review of the PlayStation 5 version of the game.
Miasma Chronicles is a tactical role-playing game developed by The Bearded Ladies and published by 505 Games. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the game introduces players to a world torn apart by the destructive force known as the Miasma. The country is ruled by The First Family, a self-serving elite with access to advanced technology and a lethal robot army, while the common people struggle to survive in small towns and villages. Players assume the role of Elvis, a young mechanic from the town of Sedentary, who possesses a mysterious glove capable of controlling the Miasma. His journey is to find his missing mother and unravel the secrets behind the Miasma, leading to potentially world-changing revelations.
One of the standout aspects of Miasma Chronicles is its engaging tactical turn-based combat, which is the game’s highlight and will certainly appeal to those who enjoyed the developer’s previous work. Players are given two action points per turn to strategically move their characters, take cover, reload, use items, or attack enemies. The combat mechanics involve calculating percentage chances for hits and critical hits, adding an element of calculated risk to each decision. The joy of the game lies in planning out moves and witnessing them unfold with precision, all while being aware of the surroundings and enemies to avoid retaliation. The combat encounters are challenging, and as players progress, they unlock an array of useful skills for each party member.
The game also offers stealth options, allowing players to ambush enemies and gain advantageous positions to start a combat scenario with. With the right tools and a bit of luck, players can even eliminate enemies through stealth kills, avoiding further combat entirely. Additionally, certain characters possess skills that utilize the Miasma for special attacks, providing interesting and visually spectacular ways to turn the tide of battle.
In terms of visuals and audio, Miasma Chronicles delivers a mostly beautiful sci-fi/fantasy experience. While the animations, particularly in cutscenes, may be less convincing, the environments and character designs are well-rendered. Each hero has a distinct design, from Elvis’ junkyard-rockstar-chic appearance to a head in a jar controlling a gigantic robotic frame. However, the storytelling and overall narrative of the game leave something to be desired. The plot developments feel rushed, and the game ends just as the story starts to become interesting. There isn’t enough time devoted to fully developing the various narrative beats within the 25-30 hour playing time, though we suppose that “wanting more” after a lengthy campaign is also a good thing.
One of the game’s downsides is the presence of technical issues and bugs at launch. Besides a few crashes and animation glitches that persisted beyond the day one patch there was nothing too disturbing, but it’s advisable to check for further updates before purchasing the game.
In conclusion, Miasma Chronicles has the potential to be a fantastic tactical role-playing game, only held back due to a small lack of polish in certain areas. While the tactical combat is challenging and enjoyable, and the stealth options are appreciated, the game suffers from a few technical issues and some untapped story potential. However, the exploration aspect often yields rewards, and the cast of characters is endearing, making it well worth the journey.
Score: 7.6/10
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