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Masquerada: Songs and Shadows
Released On: Aug 8, 2017
76
8.6
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
76
63% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
38% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 Critic Reviews
76
63% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
38% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
When we hear the word masquerade, we usually think of a social gathering where people wear masks and other fancy attire. But this word is much more than a mere event. As a noun, a masquerade can also signify a false pretense or show. And as a verb, a person who masquerades is a person who pretends to be something they are not. With definitions like these, masquerada is a truly fitting title for this game. Underneath its guise of political machinations, Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a mirror depicting the ever-present shadows in society while also reflecting the societal masquerade that humanity subconsciously participates in.
Masquerada is a rare gem of a game in which everything about it comes together just perfectly to give plays a consistent and cohesive experience. Sure it’s possible to rue its relatively short running time (at 20 hours, this is a short RPG), particularly when the lore is so deep that you’ll want to dig deeper into it all. And, yes, it’s a hyper-linear game at a time where “good game design” apparently means “arbitrary open world.” But these “faults” drive home the point and purpose of the game, and as a narrative experience, Masquerada is truly wonderful.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Masquerada: Songs and Shadows. Granted, it doesn't have the deepest combat system out there, and its isometric graphics aren't what anyone would call top-notch (although both those things are solid for an indie title). But what it does have is a lot of HEART. The story is intriguing and well told and the audio is just fantastic. If you're looking for a song to get lost in, Maquerada may be just what you're looking for.
A real labour of love, Masquerada is a highly enjoyable RPG effort that is absolutely drowning in audiovisual style and spectacle, even if the overly linear structure and sometimes convoluted world building detracts from the final result.
Masquerada's got heat - give it a chance, and it'll give you a wonderful world to lose yourself in. [Nov 2017, p.79]
While there’s nothing particularly poor about Songs and Shadows’ story or battle system, the way they come together leaves an unwelcome void in between. When playing, it’s hard not to compare it to bigger, better games like Baldur’s Gate or more recent RPGs like Pillars of Eternity and Divinity. Masquerada just doesn’t have the same level of rewarding complexity or seamlessness, bogged down by constant stopping and starting.
If you're looking for a captivating story set in an immersive world then Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is sure to satisfy. However, as an RPG, it simply doesn't provide enough rewarding gameplay to delight genre fans.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 User Ratings
8.6
80% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
20% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 User Ratings
8.6
80% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
20% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Summary Masquerada is a single-player tactical RPG adventure where real-time combat can be paused for tactics with Venetian-styled masks that grant deadly magic.
Rated T
for Teen
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date: Aug 8, 2017
Developer:
- Witching Hour Studios
Publisher: Ysbryd Games
Genres: