Styx: Shards of Darkness News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hello everyone, Cyanide here! We’re back, not to prepare for trouble (and definitely not to make it double) but to lift the veil on the denizens of Styx: Blades of Greed. It’s time to meet those who want Styx dead… and the list is long!
[/p][p]From disciplined soldiers to the most deranged creatures, every corner of Styx’s world hides a threat… or an opportunity, depending on your level of sneakiness.
[/p][p]⚠️ Warning! ⚠️
If you want to keep the surprises intact, stop reading now and go back into hiding.[/p][p]For everyone else: grab a coffee, sheath your daggers, and let us introduce the factions and creatures Styx will need to avoid, stab, or blow to pieces.

Coffee ready? Let’s go![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Before we start, a little context. You see… in this world there's two kinds of people: The “Intelligent” enemies archetypes, and the “Beast” ones.
[/p][p]In this first part, we’ll focus on the Intelligent ones.
[/p][p]Part two, coming in a few days, will take us deeper into the lairs of the Beasts.
[/p][p][/p][p]Humans, Dark Elves, and Orcs are among the most methodical foes Styx will face. These so-called “intelligent” enemies don’t just patrol aimlessly, they search every corner, relight torches if they’re carrying a lantern, and most importantly, they cooperate to track threats or defend their positions.[/p][p][/p][p]When danger looms, they’ll call for reinforcements and cover each other’s backs.[/p][p]Let’s just say stealth will be your most valuable weapon.
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Every corner of Styx: Blades of Greed teems with threats ready to strike. From Humans to Inquisitors, Orcs to Dark elves, each faction has its own way of making our favorite goblin regret leaving the shadows…
[/p][p]Let’s dive into the factions that make up the “intelligent” archetypes.
[/p][h2]Humans[/h2][p]Civilized? Maybe. Dangerous? Not always.
[/p][p]Not every human Styx encounters is built for battle, but don’t underestimate them. Some know how to swing a sword… or pull a trigger.
[/p]

• [p]Civilians: nobles, priests, or simple peasants, aren’t much of a threat.
  Most will flee screaming at the sight of a green shadow, but beware: their cries can attract far deadlier enemies.[/p]
• [p]Gangs infest the human underworld, armed with whatever they can find.
  Some rush in swinging crude weapons, others shoot from afar with crossbows, and the toughest charge Styx head-on, dealing serious damage despite their poor equipment.[/p]
• [p]Guards are another story.
  Trained, disciplined, and well-equipped, they defend human citadels with precision.
  From swordfighters who chain deadly combos to military crossbowmen and hammer-wielding brutes capable of flattening Styx, you’ll want to pick your battles carefully[/p]
• [p]Elite guards take things to a whole new level, because size matters!
  Their armor shrugs off Styx’s daggers, their helmets deflect darts, you’ll need to be smart, strike unexpectedly, or change tactics.
  Armored, deadly in melee, lethal at range, and unstoppable in close quarters, these walking fortresses are no joke. [/p]

[p]A sturdy human will require two assassination strikes to bring down, while an Orc’s size and muscle make it even tougher.
[/p][p]Some factions field elite soldiers clad in heavy armor, sometimes even immune to Styx’s direct attacks. You’ll need to break their defenses first, shoot off their helmets with a well-placed dart, or strike them from behind to remove their armor, before you can take them down.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Inquisitors[/h2][p]Inquisitors don’t just hunt heretics, they purge anything they consider inferior...[/p][p]They’re immune to mind control and can sense when Styx tries to tamper with their thoughts… and they retaliate with cruel precision.[/p]

• [p]Close range Inquisitor hit hard with their flails, and some wield telekinetic powers, able to grab Styx from a distance as long as they have line of sight.[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]The largest among them combine psychic force with devastating physical strength.[/p]
• [p]But the true nightmares are the high-ranking inquisitors: they create anti-Amber zones that nullify Styx’s powers, all while wearing armor his daggers can’t pierce.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Orcs[/h2][p]Orcs know neither fear nor subtlety. They’re towering walls of muscle and rage, built to crush anything foolish enough to stand in their way.
[/p]

• [p]Orcs warriors are living tanks, capable of leaping onto Styx, grabbing him, and smashing him beneath massive war hammers.[/p]
• [p]Beside them stand the Shamans, slightly less robust, but still dangerous. They wield staves in melee but prefer summoning vengeful spirits that hunt Styx like homing projectiles.[/p]

[p]Fighting an orc head-on? Yeah… don’t.
[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Dark Elves[/h2][p]They may be quieter, but Dark Elves are no less deadly.
Fast, agile, and precise, they strike before Styx even has time to throw an insult.[/p]

• [p]Melee fighters wield curved blades with lethal grace, while ranged ones use blowpipes with surgical accuracy.[/p]
• [p]When an Elite enters the fray, you’ll know it, swift, relentless, and armored just enough to make your life miserable.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Cunning Above All[/h2][p]Even the mightiest foes have weaknesses.

Between traps, special abilities, and the environment itself, Styx always finds clever ways to turn the situation in his favor.

A little imagination, a dash of cruelty, and a whole lot of trickery can make all the difference.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]That’s it for the “Intelligent” side of the equation, organized killers who think before they strike (most of the time).

Next time, we’ll head underground to meet the creatures are instinct-driven, but still love the taste of goblin.

Stay tuned for Part 2: The Beasts of Styx: Blades of Greed.

In the meantime, don't forget to wishlist the game, it's helps a LOT!

Cyanide team_
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]https://discord.gg/ctqYDp3kzP[/p][h2]Styx's socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky Reddit Discord[/p][h2]Cyanide socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky TikTok Instagram
[/p]

[p][/p][p]Oi meetbat!

Sharpen your blades, or don’t, I’ll be doing all the stabbing anyway. [/p][p]New, shiny, exclusive, marvelous gameplay trailer just dropped. Yes, now! [/p][p]Click the button bellow. Chop chop! [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]I’m back! Styx. The original, the best, the nightmare your guards still whisper about. And this time, you're getting an unfiltered look at my next job: Styx: Blades of Greed.[/p][p][/p][p]Slip into my grimy boots (don’t sniff them), and lead my crew through the shadows of a collapsing empire. Outsmart, outstab, outsteal, the usual.[/p]

• [p]Three towering, trap-riddled playgrounds built for vertical sneakiness.[/p]
• [p]Quartz to chase.[/p]
• [p]Danger to ignore.[/p]
• [p]Shiny things to hoard. You know, the important stuff.[/p]

[p][/p][p]This isn’t just a comeback it’s a masterclass in stealth, greed, and raw goblin excellence![/p][p]Because all it takes is one goblin with a dagger to ruin everything. And I’m very good at ruining things.[/p][p][/p][h2]Like what you see?[/h2][p]Then hit that wishlist button. It helps more than you think!
[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][p]https://discord.gg/ctqYDp3kzP[/p][h2]Styx's socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky Reddit Discord[/p][h2]Cyanide socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky TikTok Instagram
[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hey folks, Cyanide here!

As we sneak closer to the gameplay reveal of Styx: Blades of Greed, it’s time to step back and take in the world we’ve built, or rather, the ruins of a world still clinging to life. This game isn’t just about stealth, sabotage, or snarky one-liners (though there’s plenty of that). It’s about places. Environments that bleed story, atmosphere, and danger.

Some of these places are brand new to Styx, while others mark a return to locations he’s visited before, now changed, scarred, or forgotten. From the cold stones of The Wall, to the lushed forest of Turquoise Dawn, and the rotting heart of Akenash, every location you infiltrate carries weight, in history, in gameplay, and in tone. Each one offers a unique challenge, a distinct mood, and a deeper look into the fractured world Styx slinks through.

Want to dive deeper into each zone? Check out our detailed dev blogs for every environment:[/p]

• [p]The Wall[/p]
• [p]Turquoise Dawn[/p]
• [p]Akenash ruins[/p]

[h2][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]The Wall - A Fortress Built to Keep You Out
[/h2][p]Welcome to The Wall: the Empire’s largest, loudest monument to fear. This towering behemoth of concrete, steel, and control marks the borderlands of the Empire and has evolved from a military fort into a city-sized machine of oppression. From the heights of noble luxury to the squalor of the slums, The Wall is split vertically by class, purpose, and paranoia.

At the top, the Embassy pulls the strings, hidden behind golden doors and false diplomacy. The Inquisition’s cathedral looms like a religious weapon, both a seat of power and a symbol of dominance. Below, the nobles enjoy velvet couches and vintage wine while prisoners and plague survivors rot in the shadows.
[/p][p][/p][p]And below that? The Slums. Orcs forced into labor, contraband workshops, crumbling infrastructure. Guards are corrupt or overwhelmed. Gangs rule what the Empire doesn’t.

For Styx, The Wall is both an introduction and a challenge. The first space where you’ll master the core stealth mechanics: verticality, infiltration, evasion. It’s where you steal a zeppelin (because of course Styx would), meet unlikely allies, and realize that something much bigger is brewing.

But make no mistake: The Wall is not a tutorial level. It’s a gauntlet, packed with traps, tight patrols, and Inquisition elites trained to catch any intruder and end your adventure before it starts.
[/p][p] [/p][h2]Turquoise Dawn - An Orc village under siege[/h2][p]From the Empire’s mechanical chokehold, we move to something wilder… and angrier.
[/p][p]Turquoise Dawn was once a breathtaking Orc village carved into the upper canopy of a massive, sacred forest. The architecture was natural, spiritual. Homes built inside hollow trees, walkways strung along branches like spider silk, all in harmony with the Earth Mother. This place meant something.

Then came the Empire. A brutal assault shattered the balance, driven by the lust for resources and betrayals from within. Now, Turquoise Dawn is bleeding, divided between scorched Imperial outposts and defiled shrines, with only fragments of Orc resistance holding out in the treetops.
[/p][p][/p][p]This isn’t just a pretty forest. It’s a battlefield.

A labyrinth of roots, vines, and collapsed walkways. Environmental hazards abound, toxic mushrooms that explode near enemies, thorns that block your path, crumbling branches, and sensitive Roaches that force you to rethink your noise strategy.

The deeper you go, the weirder it gets. Inquisition soldiers roam the clearings. Shaman Orcs can sense Styx before he even moves. The forest is alive, and it doesn’t want you here.

Turquoise Dawn is where Styx blends stealth with unpredictability. It’s not just about shadows, it’s about using the terrain to your advantage, adapting to factions that know the land better than you do, and surviving a place that no longer distinguishes friend from foe.
[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Akenash Ruins - Fallen after Styx’s greed[/h2][p]Finally, we come to Akenash, what’s left of it.

Once a marvel of diplomacy and magical science, the Akenash Tower floated in the void, guarded by Elves and infested by some creatures. It was home to the Empire’s most brilliant (and least ethical) minds. And it was the birthplace of Styx’s legacy.

But that was before. Before Styx stole the Heart. Before the Green Plague. Before everything collapsed.

Now, Akenash hangs in shattered pieces. Its magic fading, and its halls crawling with creatures twisted by desperation and madness. The World Tree still stands at the center, barely, but its Amber veins are dry, its bark crumbling, and strange parasitic organisms feast on its decay. This place is hostile, fractured…
[/p][p][/p][p]Akenash isn’t guarded. It’s infested.

Feral Elves, former scholars shattered by spiritual collapse. Goblins trying to kill Styx. Roaches that have adapted to the darkness, spreading like mold. And scavengers from the Inquisition still poking around, desperate for Quartz.

If The Wall is control, and Turquoise Dawn is resistance, Akenash is madness. A tomb where stories go to die, or come back hungry.
[/p][p][/p][h2]One World, three fronts, endless threats[/h2][p]Each of these environments reflects a different aspect of the world, and of Styx himself.[/p]

• [p]The Wall shows how the Empire masks control with grandeur.[/p]
• [p]Turquoise Dawn reveals how conquest can hollow out tradition and twist survival.[/p]
• [p]Akenash reminds us that nothing, not even miracles, lasts forever.[/p]

[p]
We designed these spaces not just to challenge your stealth, but to immerse you in living ecosystems full of opportunity, threat, and lore. Whether you climb, crawl, or kill your way through, the world will react. And somewhere in that chaos? Secrets. Quartz. And a war about to explode.

But don’t worry. If anyone’s going to carve a bloody path through the heart of it all, it’s Styx. (Probably.)

Oh, and by the way, that wraps up our little tour of the environments. Next time? No more sightseeing. It’s gameplay time!

[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Don’t forget to wishlist Styx: Blades of Greed!

It really helps the team, boosts visibility, and makes sure you don’t miss anything leading up to launch. Every wishlist counts, thanks for the support! 🙏

– The Cyanide Team[/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][p]https://discord.gg/ctqYDp3kzP[/p][h2]Styx's socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky Reddit Discord[/p][h2]Cyanide socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky TikTok Instagram
[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hi everyone, usually, Styx would be the one writing this kind of article himself, snarky tone, suspiciously self-glorifying, maybe a few insults thrown in for good measure. But let’s just say… he’s busy right now (don’t ask).

So this time, it’s us, the devs at Cyanide, who are stepping in to answer the big question: why now? Why bring back Styx after nearly a decade in the shadows?
[/p][p]It’s been almost ten years since Styx, the wisecracking goblin thief, slipped into the shadows. But even after all that time, players never stopped asking the same question: “Is he ever coming back?” We’re thrilled to finally say: yes!

With Styx: Blades of Greed, the master of stealth is back in action, and we wanted to share a little more about the journey that led us here.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]Why bring Styx back now?[/h2][p]A lot has changed over the past decade, especially in game development. Thanks to tools like Unreal Engine 5, we can finally realize the vision we’ve always had for Styx’s world, both artistically and technically.

After spending the past few years on very different projects (Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Blood Bowl 3, Pro Cycling Manager, Tour de France...), we were ready for something more personal. Styx has always held a special place in the hearts of our team, and when the opportunity arose to team up with Nacon, everything fell into place.[/p][p][/p][h2]A familiar world, reimagined[/h2][p]We didn’t want to reinvent Styx’s world, we wanted to evolve it.
[/p][p]That signature darkness, vertical level design, and the feeling of being small in a dangerous place? It’s all still there. But this time, we're taking you to places we only hinted at in the past. Visually, the game reflects where Cyanide is headed as a studio, more detailed, more atmospheric, but always true to Styx’s gritty tone.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]The community never left[/h2][p]Over the years, we kept receiving messages from fans, DMs, emails, fan art, heartfelt posts, asking if Styx would ever return.
[/p][p]That kind of passion sticks with you. We knew that if we brought him back, it had to be for the right reasons. We weren’t interested in a half-hearted sequel. We wanted to do it properly, and make something the community could truly get excited about.[/p][p][/p][h2]What it means to build a stealth game in 2025[/h2][p]Creating a stealth game today is no small feat.
[/p][p]AI is more important than ever, it has to be smart, believable, and readable. That balance is critical: delivering a real challenge without crossing into frustration. We’re staying true to Styx’s hardcore roots, but refining the experience to be more accessible and intuitive without watering anything down.[/p][p][/p][h2]Keeping the soul of Styx intact[/h2][p]Styx has always been about pure stealth. No brute force, no loud gunfights, just strategy, timing, and careful movement. And if you mess up, you deal with the consequences. That core hasn’t changed.[/p][p][/p][p]What has evolved is the tone: his sarcasm is still sharp, but the writing now has more weight and consistency. We’ve taken a more mature approach to both the narrative and the character, less noise, more focus.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]Designed for today’s players[/h2][p]We’ve updated the game’s rhythm, mechanics, and controls to meet modern standards, while staying faithful to what fans loved about the originals. We’ll dive deeper into level design in an upcoming post, but know this: every system, every decision has been made with both legacy and new players in mind.[/p][p][/p][h2]A whole new level of quality for Styx[/h2][p]Switching to Unreal Engine 5 has opened the door to a whole new level of quality.
[/p][p]For the first time, we can fully realize Styx’s world without compromise. More than just a visual upgrade, the new tools also give us room to offer players more flexibility, more ways to approach each challenge, more creative freedom, all while staying true to the core principles of stealth gameplay.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Thanks for reading![/h2][p]We can't wait to show you more of Styx: Blades of Greed in the months ahead. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Styx for the first time, we’re building this game with you in mind. Stick around, there’s a lot more lurking in the shadows![/p][p][/p][p]And if you’re excited about Styx’s return, there’s one small thing that makes a big difference: wishlist the game. It helps us out a lot, boosts visibility on Steam, and makes sure you don’t miss any updates. Plus, Styx swears he’ll stop judging you (silently, from the shadows) if you do.
[/p][p]So hit that wishlist button, it really matters.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][p]https://discord.gg/ctqYDp3kzP[/p][h2]Styx's socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky Reddit Discord[/p][h2]Cyanide socials:[/h2][p]X (Twitter) Facebook BlueSky TikTok Instagram
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Yeah, yeah, I get it, you’ve got other games to play, other things to do. But if you think you can keep up with me and not miss a beat of what’s coming next, you’re gonna need to crawl out of your little cave and follow my trail.

I’m not gonna hold your hand, but I might drop some secrets, sneak peeks, and sharp-tongued comments, if you’re in the right place at the right time.

Speaking of the right place, we’ve just opened a brand new Discord. Shiny, squeaky clean... (for now). Perfect place to talk about my glorious past exploits, share your wild theories, or just hang around with other sneaky types like you.




Think of it as my hideout, and you? You’re part of my crew. My little sbires, gathering in the shadows, whispering about my brilliance and plotting whatever comes next.

Got thoughts about that mess in Akenash? Korrangar? Want to yell at the devs? Fine by me, as long as I don’t have to moderate. Just remember who the real star is.

[hr][/hr]
[h2]Styx's socials:[/h2]

• X (Twitter) ► https://x.com/StyxVideoGames
  
• Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/StyxGame/
  
• Discord ► https://discord.gg/ctqYDp3kzP
  
• BlueSky ► https://bsky.app/profile/styxvideogames.bsky.social
  
• Reddit ► https://www.reddit.com/r/StyxGame/
  

Get in. Lurk around. Complain if you must, I won’t read it, but someone might.

[hr][/hr]
[h2]Cyanide socials:[/h2]

• X (Twitter) ► https://x.com/CyanideStudio
  
• Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cyanide.games
  
• BlueSky ► https://bsky.app/profile/cyanidestudio.bsky.social
  
• Tiktok ► https://tiktok.com/@cyanidestudio
  
• Instagram ► instagram.com/studio.cyanide
  

The humans behind the curtain. They do the coding, I do the stabbing. I guess you could say they’re in my crew. Follow them.