Miasma Chronicles, a tactical role-playing video game developed by Swedish studio The Bearded Ladies which also developed Mutant Year Zero, immerses players in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States. With its unique blend of turn-based tactics and stealth mechanics, Miasma Chronicles set out to make a challenging gameplay experience but one approachable by all.
In a recent Game ZXC interview with director Lee Varley, he delved into Miasma Chronicles' gameplay mechanics and the challenges that the development team created for players, while detailing options for those less interested in tactics and more interested in story.
Miasma Chronicles is set in a post-apocalyptic United States, devastated by a deadly phenomenon called miasma, and a woman entrusts her son, Elvis, to a robot named Diggs. Elvis possesses a special glove left by his mother that can control the miasma. As players take control of Elvis, their objective is to locate his mother and unravel the mysteries surrounding the miasma and the game's First Family.
Progression and challenge are a key part of any tactical RPG, with character progression including customizable skill trees with new abilities and cooldowns. The game offers four difficulty levels, granting players the freedom to tailor the challenge to their preferences. Tactical combat rules can also be simplified as desired, making targeting easier and reducing reliance on chance. But for someone more interested in story than tactics, the game is tailored for that as well, Varley explains.
Miasma is a hard game, but we did introduce a light tactical mode that greatly reduces the RNG. We also have a narrative mode for people who just want to experience the world and lore.
The exploration element in Miasma Chronicles is intricately tied to both the story and gameplay mechanics. Players are encouraged to freely explore the environments, unearthing lore, discovering valuable loot, and interacting with various characters. Strategic planning and positioning play a vital role as players must carefully consider their approach to combat encounters and plan ambushes to gain the upper hand.
Players can anticipate a multitude of challenges while venturing through the meticulously designed maps of the game. These challenges seamlessly intertwine with the gameplay mechanics, augmenting the overall experience. While players will encounter various puzzles strategically placed throughout the game, the predominant focus lies on engaging in tactically demanding battles. These battles demand meticulous planning and precise execution, as rashly approaching them often leads to unfavorable outcomes. Players are encouraged to carefully analyze each combat scenario, thoroughly assessing the diverse array of enemy types present, and subsequently devising a comprehensive plan of action. By adopting a methodical approach, players can enhance their chances of success within the game's immersive and dynamic world.
“We have a few puzzles scattered around, but the main core is the tactical fights. They are hard and require proper planning and execution. Just running into a fight will usually result in failure, so scope out the fight, look at the enemy types, and formulate a plan of action.”
Varley emphasized the importance of player choice and accessibility by implementing different difficulty options. While Miasma Chronicles is known for its challenging gameplay, a light tactical mode has been introduced to reduce randomness and provide a more forgiving experience. Additionally, a narrative mode allows players to focus on immersing themselves in the world and uncovering the game's lore.
Ultimately, however, stealth and tactical planning play pivotal roles in Miasma Chronicles. Players cannot rely solely on brute force to overcome their enemies. Instead, they must meticulously manage stealth kills, plan ambushes, and take environmental factors into account. Failing to do so may result in being overwhelmed by enemies, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and careful execution. Meanwhile, the skill system in Miasma Chronicles allows for customization and adaptation to different scenarios. Each character possesses a skill deck, and players can purchase skills as they level up. Importantly, players have the freedom to refund and reconfigure their skill deck at any time, encouraging experimentation and strategic thinking to overcome formidable opponents.
One of the standout features in Miasma Chronicles is the Miasma power system. Players can harness the power of the Miasma by using the Editor Glove to calm angry Miasma vortexes found throughout the world. These powers are game-changing super skills that come at the cost of significant energy consumption. Players can further modify these powers using special hack chips, unlocking additional abilities and buffs. Choosing when and how to use these powers becomes a crucial strategic decision, Varley said.
“These Miasma powers are the game's super skills. Very powerful and also very energy consuming to cast, so they need to be used wisely.”
The game rewards players for their exploratory efforts by offering rare treasures and valuable items. Discovering these treasures not only provides a significant experience boost but also unlocks crucial elements for enhancing the characters' skill decks. Additionally, players can find powerful weapons, upgrades, and consumable grenades, with some of the most formidable firearms hidden behind extra challenging encounters and quests, if nothing else but to sate the hardcore tactical gameplay lover.
Miasma Chronicles is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.