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Miasma Chronicles

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Miasma Chronicles
Item: Miasma Chronicles
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, RPG, Strategy, Military and Warfare, Single Player

AvailableMay 23, 2023

PlatformPC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

DeveloperThe Bearded Ladies Consulting

Overview

From the creators of Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden comes a beautifully crafted tactical adventure you won’t forget. Embark on a quest across a post-apocalyptic wasteland torn apart by a savage force known only as the ‘Miasma’.

Elsewhere

8.1

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

61%

Mixed (50-79)

29%

Negative (0-49)

10%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Miasma Chronicles are varied, with some praising its strengths and others pointing out its weaknesses. Several critics, such as COGconnected, Checkpoint Gaming, GGRecon, Gamereactor UK, GamingTrend, Jeuxvideo.com, SomosXbox, The Games Machine, TheGamer, GameGrin, GamersRD, PLAY! Zine, PlayStation Country, Push Square, TheXboxHub, and ZTGD, highlight the positive aspects of the story. They mention that the narrative is captivating, engaging, and immersive, with intriguing post-apocalyptic settings and well-defined worlds. The story is praised for its originality, compelling dialogue, unexpected twists and turns, and exploration of themes such as capitalism, consumerism, and environmental crisis. These critics appreciate the complex characters, memorable protagonists, and the ability to partially control the Miasma, which adds an interesting twist to the narrative. They also mention that the story keeps the player engaged and entertained throughout the game. However, there are critics, such as Eurogamer, GameCritics, GamesHub, GamingBolt, Hooked Gamers, Player 2, RPG Site, and Xbox Tavern, who have a more negative opinion about the story. They criticize the story for being uninspired, generic, and lacking originality. The post-apocalyptic setting is deemed as offering nothing new, and the characters are heavily criticized for being generic, lacking personality, and falling into stereotypes. Some critics mention that the banter between characters falls flat and that the writing can be flat or cliched. These critics also point out issues with the narrative components, including undercooked twists, lack of coherence, and inconsistent setting. Awkward dialogue writing and exposition-heavy storytelling are also mentioned as drawbacks. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the entertaining, smart, and emotional narrative of Miasma Chronicles, others find it lacking in originality and coherence. The positive aspects mentioned by multiple critics, such as the captivating story, memorable characters, and unexpected twists, indicate that the story has its strengths. However, the criticisms raised by other critics regarding the uninspired and generic nature of the story, as well as issues with character development and writing, cannot be overlooked. It is clear that the story of Miasma Chronicles has its merits, but it also falls short in certain areas, leaving room for improvement.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on Miasma Chronicles. Some praise its captivating narrative, originality, and complex characters, while others criticize it for being uninspired and generic with flat dialogue and inconsistent storytelling. Mixed reviews highlight strengths like engaging twists and exploration of themes, but also point out weaknesses in character development and coherence. Overall, Miasma Chronicles shows promise but needs improvement in certain areas to reach its full potential.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

52%

Mixed (50-79)

48%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Miasma Chronicles are generally positive. Many critics praise the turn-based combat mechanics, describing them as solid, creative, and rewarding. They highlight the strategic elements of the combat, such as the ability to plan and execute attacks, use stealth, and take advantage of cover. The combat is often described as tense, engaging, and rich throughout the game. Critics like GamingBolt, GamesHub, and TheGamer specifically mention the tactical and interesting combat scenarios, while RPG Site emphasizes the dynamic nature of the combat and the potential for critical hits to turn the tide in the player's favor. The ability to freely redistribute skill points and customize abilities with accessories is also appreciated by GGRecon. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Miasma Chronicles. Eurogamer mentions that while the gameplay works well enough, it doesn't offer anything new or excel in any way. GameCritics notes that the balance of combat encounters feels off, and Hooked Gamers criticizes the individual skill trees for lacking creativity and finds the grind to unlock new skill points unnecessary. TRG points out wobbly and uncertain combat mechanics with unbalanced difficulty, and Xbox Tavern mentions that the AI has unparalleled accuracy, making the player feel at a disadvantage. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Miasma Chronicles offers a solid and enjoyable gameplay experience. The turn-based combat mechanics, strategic elements, and the ability to switch between stealth and combat are highlighted as positives. The combat is often described as rewarding and engaging, with tactical thinking and careful planning being essential for victory. Critics like GamingTrend, GameGrin, and GamersRD praise the challenging and satisfying nature of the gameplay. While there are some criticisms regarding lack of innovation, unbalanced difficulty, and certain gameplay mechanics, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics appreciating the mix of exploration, real-time movement, and turn-based combat that Miasma Chronicles offers.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics generally praise Miasma Chronicles for its solid turn-based combat mechanics, strategic elements, and rewarding gameplay. Positive highlights include tactical combat scenarios and dynamic gameplay, with the ability to customize abilities. Some criticisms mention lack of innovation, unbalanced difficulty, and uninspired skill trees, but overall, critics find the game enjoyable and engaging.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

In terms of the Graphics and Visual Design of Miasma Chronicles, the majority of critics had positive opinions. COGconnected praises the vivid and detailed depiction of New America, with layers of decay and haunted buildings, creating a believable post-apocalyptic setting. Checkpoint Gaming describes the visuals as visually stunning, portraying the post-apocalyptic world in a horrendous yet appealing manner. GamingBolt also commends the game for its impressive graphics and level of detail, running well on high settings. Several critics, including GamingTrend and The Games Machine, highlight the visually stunning environments that immerse players in the post-apocalyptic setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making exploration a visually engaging experience. Jeuxvideo.com, in particular, emphasizes the stunning graphics and visual design of Miasma Chronicles, comparing it to the likes of Oddworld or Total Recall, with beautifully crafted environments and a well-designed bestiary. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Miasma Chronicles. Eurogamer criticizes the graphics for being uninspired, with an excessive use of grey and brown palettes in the post-apocalyptic setting. They also mention the lack of detail and cleanliness in the houses and environments. Multiplayer.it points out flaws in character faces and suggests that the design and interface could have been more polished. PlayStation Country, while appreciating the depiction of the post-miasma affected landscape, does not provide further details about the overall visual design. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Miasma Chronicles has impressive graphics and visual design, with stunning environments and attention to detail. The game successfully creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the post-apocalyptic setting. Positive comments from critics such as GamingTrend, The Games Machine, and Jeuxvideo.com reinforce the overall positive sentiment towards the Graphics and Visual Design of the game. However, there are some criticisms, particularly regarding the uninspired color palette and lack of detail in certain aspects, as mentioned by Eurogamer and Multiplayer.it. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics agree that Miasma Chronicles delivers high-quality visuals and an engaging visual experience.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Miasma Chronicles impresses with its stunning graphics and detailed post-apocalyptic world, praised by critics for its immersive atmosphere and attention to detail. While some critics find fault in the uninspired color palette and lack of polish in certain areas, the overall consensus is positive for its visually engaging experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Miasma Chronicles, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted by the reviewers. COGconnected praises the voice work and sound direction, emphasizing the excellent execution. They also mention the blending of electronic timbres with acoustic folk instruments in the musical score, which adds depth to the overall audio experience. GameGrin also commends the music, describing it as fitting the game's aesthetics and providing a brooding and melancholic atmosphere. They specifically highlight the great voice acting for the character Diggs. SomosXbox further supports the positive sentiment, stating that the game's dark and atmospheric sound design reflects the message of the game and complements the gameplay and encounters. However, there are some negative opinions expressed by the critics as well. Checkpoint Gaming mentions instances where the audio doesn't sync up with the text, which can potentially disrupt the immersion for players. Xbox Tavern criticizes the voice acting for the main character, stating that it sounds dull or tired. This criticism suggests that there may be inconsistencies in the quality of voice performances throughout the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is largely positive. Multiple reviewers, including Jeuxvideo.com and GamersRD, highlight the impressive sound design of Miasma Chronicles. They specifically mention the anxiety-inducing OST, well-executed sound effects, and music that enhance the overall experience. TheXboxHub also praises the fully voiced characters and immersive conversations, further supporting the positive sentiment. Despite some minor criticisms, the majority of reviewers appreciate the attention to detail in the sound design and the immersive qualities it brings to the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics rave about the Sound Design and Music of Miasma Chronicles, praising the voice work, blending of electronic and acoustic elements, and atmospheric sound design that enhances gameplay. Some critics note issues like audio-text syncing problems and inconsistent voice acting quality. Overall, reviewers laud the game's impressive sound design, anxiety-inducing OST, and immersive qualities, with minor criticisms but mostly positive feedback.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

36%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Several critics, such as IGN Portugal and TheXboxHub, praise the voice acting, emphasizing its fantastic quality and how it adds strength to the relationships between characters. The performances from the voice cast are deemed decent by Hooked Gamers, and Shacknews highlights the high-quality voice acting in the game. These positive reviews indicate that the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles is generally well-received and contributes positively to the overall experience. However, there are also critics who express some negative sentiments towards the voice acting. Eurogamer criticizes the protagonist's voice, stating that they constantly sound bored or sleepy. Additionally, Eurogamer mentions that one character is portrayed as an outdated stereotype of a brash Black man from a 90s movie, which can be seen as a negative portrayal. GGRecon mentions that the voice acting can be cheesy and the tone feels slightly off, which may be perceived as either endearing or annoying. Xbox Tavern criticizes the voice acting for the main character, noting that it sounds dull or tired. These negative reviews indicate that there are instances where the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles falls short and may not resonate with all players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles is a mix of positive and negative elements. While there are instances of fantastic performances and high-quality voice acting that enhance the relationships between characters, there are also criticisms regarding certain characters sounding bored or sleepy, the portrayal of outdated stereotypes, and occasional cheesy tones. Despite these shortcomings, the positive reviews outweigh the negative ones, suggesting that the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles generally contributes positively to the overall experience of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed feelings on the voice acting in Miasma Chronicles. Some praise it for enhancing character relationships, while others criticize it for sounding dull or portraying outdated stereotypes. Overall, the voice acting receives more positive reviews than negative ones, adding value to the game despite some shortcomings.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

20%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the Technical Performance on PC, the critics had mixed opinions. COGconnected and Multiplayer.it mentioned some bugs and technical issues that could be frustrating, while RPG Site and TRG pointed out annoying glitches and inconveniences. However, there were also positive remarks from several critics. Gamereactor UK praised the overall performance of the game on PC, stating that it had a good degree of polish and only encountered a few weird bugs and frame rate drops. Hooked Gamers specifically highlighted the fantastic optimization of Miasma Chronicles on PC. IGN Portugal had a positive experience, stating that the game ran smoothly on multiple PCs without any performance issues or bugs. Overall, the consensus among the critics for PC was that the game generally ran well, with some minor technical issues that did not significantly impact the enjoyment of the game. Moving on to the PlayStation 5 platform, the critics noted a few technical issues. GameGrin mentioned encountering small bugs like texture rendering issues and screen-tearing, as well as one instance of the game crashing during a combat encounter. Push Square mentioned that the game initially had technical issues, including dialogue not playing, animation issues, and crashes during battles. However, some of these issues were addressed in a day one patch. Despite these technical hiccups, PlayStation Country highlighted the lack of compromises needed due to no legacy support for PS4. For the Xbox Series X platform, there were fewer criticisms regarding technical performance. TheXboxHub mentioned that the camera occasionally loses track but can be easily fixed with manual repositioning. No major technical issues were reported by the critics for this platform. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of Miasma Chronicles were mixed. While there were some reports of bugs, glitches, and technical issues across different platforms, there were also positive remarks about smooth performance, good optimization, and lack of compromises on certain platforms. It is important to note that some issues were addressed in patches, indicating that the developers were actively working to improve the technical performance of the game.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics had mixed opinions on the technical performance of Miasma Chronicles. PC reviews mentioned bugs and glitches, but praised overall performance. PlayStation 5 faced more technical issues but improved with patches. Xbox Series X had minimal problems. Despite some hiccups, the game generally ran well on all platforms, with developers actively addressing issues.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

100%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Miasma Chronicles are varied. Some critics, such as Gamereactor UK and TheXboxHub, highlight the positive aspects of the game's replayability. Gamereactor UK mentions the depth of the RPG systems and solid performance, which are enough to keep players engaged and entertained. TheXboxHub also praises the game for offering side missions, exploration, and character progression, all of which contribute to its replay value. These positive aspects indicate that Miasma Chronicles has elements that can entice players to continue playing and exploring the game even after completing it. However, there are also critics who express more negative opinions about the game's replay value. GameCritics mentions that the starting equipment and static equipment limit tactical options, which may not provide enough incentive for players to continue playing. TRG also points out the limited replayability of the game due to a harshly weighted skill tree. These negative aspects suggest that some players may not find enough variety or incentive to replay the game multiple times. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to lean towards mixed opinions regarding the replay value of Miasma Chronicles. While some critics highlight the positive aspects such as solid performance, depth of RPG systems, and various gameplay elements that contribute to replayability, others mention limitations in tactical options, skill tree design, and lack of incentive after completing the game or finishing side quests. It is clear that the game offers some replay value, but it may not be enough to satisfy all players, especially those who have already completed all side quests or are looking for more diverse gameplay options.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are split on the replay value of Miasma Chronicles. Some praise its depth, RPG systems, and engaging gameplay elements that keep players hooked, while others criticize its limited tactical options and lack of incentives for replay. Overall, the game offers some replayability, but it may not satisfy all players, especially those seeking diverse gameplay experiences.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

48%

Mixed (50-79)

49%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the critics have generally positive opinions about Miasma Chronicles. The game is praised for its immersive world, interesting story, engaging combat, solid mechanics, and strategic gameplay. COGconnected describes it as a refined and self-assured game with these positive aspects, while Checkpoint Gaming highlights its strengths outweighing its weaknesses. Gamereactor UK also commends the game for its solid tactical-RPG elements, including good-quality combat encounters and an enthralling story. Jeuxvideo.com further adds that Miasma Chronicles successfully combines elements from Mutant Year Zero and XCOM, providing a rich and immersive experience with captivating storytelling, engaging gameplay, stunning graphics, and impressive sound design. These positive aspects contribute to the overall enjoyment and appeal of the game. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Eurogamer criticizes the presence of a character described as a racist stereotype, stating that without this character, the game would be considered okay and serviceable. GameCritics points out unbalanced combat encounters and an unsatisfying formula, leading to a lower score. GamesHub mentions that while the combat is strong, the story and characters detract from the overall experience, resulting in a 3-star rating. RPG Site also highlights the demanding nature of the game, with narrative elements and technical issues affecting the overall experience. Hooked Gamers criticizes the repetitive combat and the killcam system's focus on foliage rather than enemies, which hinders the player's connection with the characters. These negative aspects indicate areas where the game falls short and may impact the overall enjoyment for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Miasma Chronicles is a solid tactical RPG with immersive storytelling, engaging gameplay, and impressive visuals. Critics like GamingBolt, The Games Machine, and GamersRD praise the game for its interesting world, fun combat, and enjoyable miasma powers, as well as its well-executed tactical gameplay and impressive graphics. IGN Spain and SomosXbox also highlight the game's unique take on the genre, its visually appealing world, and customization options for a more immersive experience. The positive opinions of these critics, along with others, indicate that Miasma Chronicles is a worthwhile game for fans of the genre and those looking for a strategic and narrative-driven experience. However, it is important to consider the mentioned negatives, such as unbalanced combat, unsatisfying formula, and problematic character portrayal, which may affect the overall enjoyment for some players.

TL;DR

Critics praise Miasma Chronicles for its immersive world, engaging combat, and strategic gameplay. Positive aspects include captivating storytelling, solid mechanics, and impressive visuals. However, criticisms include unbalanced combat, unsatisfying formula, and problematic character portrayal. Overall, the consensus is that Miasma Chronicles is a solid tactical RPG with immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay, though some flaws may impact the experience for some players.

CRITIK

Reviews

86 reviews found

PlayStation Country

PlayStation 5

Jul 11, 2023