Styx 2 (SoD) vs Styx 1 (MoS)

[Bastoc]

Despite some technical improvements, in my opinion Styx 1 was way better than Styx 2, overall and especially gameplay-wise.

My theory is that some people cried about Styx 1 being too hard and devs decided to "ubisoften" the game (i.e. make it darn too easy and add redundant features to emulate choice) and almost ruined it in the process.

What I disliked :
1) In Styx 1, guards could instantly spot you in the dark if you went too close, it was a bit frustrating sometimes but realistic ; in Styx 2, guards are BLIND as bats, it's ridiculous
2) In Styx 1, there were many torches and not so many dark areas, so staying in the shadows was part of the challenge (like Thief or Splinter Cell) ; in Styx 2, it's dark almost everywhere, so you can just move around like you're joining a picnic
3) In Styx 1, the clone was THE original feature and was at least a little useful (apart from forced gameplay with the doors & levers) ; in Styx 2, it's made completely redundant by glass objects which are much easier to use and are inexplicably laying everywere, and optionally poison darts. You can also throw cocoons and teleport to your clone, great but what for ? Has anyone found real uses for these features ?
4) In Styx 1 there were some "bottleneck" paths where you had to distract or take down guards to lockpick a door or something ; in Styx 2 there is always an easy path down a vent or up the roof. So many tools and abilities, but who needs them ?
5) In Styx 1 the story was a bit confusing but at least it had a strong lead ; In Styx 2, it's a complete mess, and it's not even finished properly
6) The cutscenes in Styx 1 were fine, do Looking Glass or Arkane studios need 3D animated cutscenes ? I wish the money was used to think the game design through
7) Smelling ennemies "Yay, I can smell ennemies at up to 20m ! Wait, why is the place so foggy now ? Oh right, it's a stealth game, of course they are are patrolling EVERYWHERE." + Hearing footsteps = spotting microscopic white circles through walls : no can do!
8) Styx is mischievious, we get it, but too much campy humour, especially the Game Over (thank god I was able to deactivate it)

What I liked :
A) Technical improvements (e.g. dropping/hauling, AI pathfinding)
B) Ropes are climbable and offer nice routes (not just props like in Styx 1)
C) Craftable items, but less because of ingredients laying everywhere instead of being somehow protected and items being unnecessary in the first place
D) Alternative tricky ways to kill some targets

[Troglodyte]

i searched on wikipedia, but i couldn't find who asked

[Tryyton]

Originally posted by Troglodyte:

i searched on wikipedia, but i couldn't find who asked

i actually don´t mind, since i wasn´t sure if i should play the 1st or skip it.

thanks @OP

[Bambi]

I asked

[Sea Prince Gillywix]

I strongly disagree. In my opinion, Styx 2 improves on the first one in almost every way. Reasons why I think 2 is better.

1. The graphics and animations as are so much better.

I don't like the way styx's old face in the first game moves. The lip syncing is noticably bad. The lighting is way better. Character models and background textures have more detail. Overall its much easier on the eyes and more visually stimulating. Also. Styx's dagger in the first game was just a flat plane. Now it actually has dimension.

2. Better world variety/Better use of asset recycling.

The first game zone looked very samey. You are in this giant castle and exploring various parts of it. The second game the levels are noticeably more distinct from each other. With Thobin, the caves and Korrigar having noticeable differences in their themes.

I also did not like how when you get half way through the game you are basically doing the game in reverse. Styx 2 has recycled assets, but it doesn't just repeat everything in reverse making it so predicable and you also get access to areas that you have not been before.

3. More user friendly.

Ledges you no longer have to hold space to pull yourself up nor does styx do it automatically, you can access medal progress at any time even in story mode now, the game controls are smoother and more clean neat looking UI. Many little things have been improved.

4. Styx has more personality.

Some people don't like how they executed his personality, but it can't be denied styx has more personality and flavor then in the first game and I think it overall makes the game more fun and styx more of an enjoyable character with a few exceptions.

5. The level design is arguably better.

Or at least as good as the first game. There is may routes and hiding spots to achieve goals. Although I did find that elf level where you cannot get detected kinda tedious at times. Some of these levels i always found just amazing. Thobin, the flying ships and the caves was my favorite.

There many things that improved from the first or are kinda subjective. Some many like or may not, but here is a few things I like the second game got worse.

What it got worse.
__________________________________________________________

1. Story.

Kinda hard to argue the story in the second one is better since it does not conclude properly I think. The first one was deep, feel of mystery and full of a lot of struggle with indentity. The one in this game is action pack and still interesting, but not as deep with moments that really make you think and get attached to the characters.

2. A few of Styx's voice lines are immersion breaking.

I like most of them but a few voice lines had me thinking". What the hell were the devs thinking?". Examples:

-"To infinity and beyond". A reference to a sci fi kids character in a medieval fantasy game about a goblin assassin?

-"Waiting for a tarzan yell? Forget about it!". Its just so jarring to have a joke about a disney character from an entirely different thing in this game.

These are the worst to me. However pretty much all others I love.

3. A few abilities could be argued to be a bit overpowered.

Stuff like the gas cloud and teleport ability, but one must not forget that the gas cloud makes lots of noise and also obscures your vision. Also styx can't kill armored soliders directly. And the later game has almost entire levels with them all over the place. However for the most part I find the abilities rather fun.

[Bastoc]

Originally posted by Troglodyte:

i searched on wikipedia, but i couldn't find who asked

Good one

[laredeshot]

Styx 2 have coop playing solo is less enjoyable, Styx 1 is a very good game don't get me wrong but with coop, it would be so much better