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Masquerada: Songs and Shadows, developed by Witching Hour Studios, offers a unique blend of narrative-driven RPG and real-time tactical combat. While the game shines brightly with its captivating story, stunning art style, and superb voice acting, several gameplay shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential. This review delves into the captivating world of Ombre, exploring both the strengths and weaknesses of this intriguing title.

A World of Masks and Magic

The game unfolds in the fascinating city of Citte della Ombre, a realm where songs preserve legacies and mystical masks, known as Mascherines, grant wielders control over powerful elemental magic. These masks are held by the Masquerada, the ruling aristocracy, creating a stark divide between them and the Contadani, the working class. The story begins with the kidnapping of a nobleman, setting in motion a chain of events that reveals deeply buried secrets, challenging the very foundations of Ombre’s social structure. Players take on the role of a young Masquerada member, tasked with unraveling the mystery and confronting the city’s hidden truths.

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows – Cityscape

Artistic Brilliance and Audio Mastery

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows boasts a visually striking 2D art style. The vibrant colors and unique character designs create a dreamlike atmosphere, immersing players in a world that feels both surreal and tangible. The opening cinematic, rendered in 3D, seamlessly blends with the 2D gameplay, showcasing the developer’s artistic prowess. Further enhancing the experience is the exceptional voice acting, bringing the characters to life with nuanced performances that convey a range of emotions, from quiet contemplation to intense despair.

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows – Character Art

The Tactical Pause That Doesn’t Quite Deliver

While the narrative and artistic elements shine, the gameplay presents several significant hurdles. Combat unfolds in real-time, with players controlling a small party of characters. The tactical pause feature allows players to issue commands, but the flawed AI significantly hinders the experience. Party members often fail to execute commands effectively, requiring constant micromanagement of each individual character.

Navigating a Flat Battlefield

The 2D perspective, while visually appealing, creates challenges in combat. The flat battlefield makes it difficult to distinguish between friend and foe, adding to the frustration of managing multiple characters and their abilities. The constant clicking and selecting of characters, skills, and targets becomes cumbersome, especially during chaotic battles.

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows – Combat

The Frustration of Forced Saves

Adding to the gameplay woes is the lack of manual saves. The game relies solely on automatic saves at predetermined points, often leaving players with no recourse after repeated failures in challenging encounters. The increasing difficulty, exacerbated by the AI issues, can lead to frustrating repetition, especially given the game’s linear progression and lack of opportunities for grinding.

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows – Gameplay

A Story Worth Experiencing, Despite Its Flaws

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows offers a compelling narrative experience, wrapped in a beautiful artistic package. However, its gameplay shortcomings, particularly the flawed AI and lack of manual saves, detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. While the story and presentation are captivating, players should be prepared for a frustrating combat experience.

Game Information

• Developer: Witching Hour Studios
• Publisher: Ysbryd Games
• Genre: Role-Playing Game
• Release Date: September 30, 2016
• Platform: PC

System Requirements (Minimum)

• OS: Windows 7
• CPU: Intel Core i3 2.40GHz
• RAM: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: nVidia GeForce 1GB or better
• Storage: 4GB

System Requirements (Tested)

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen R7 1700 @ 3.7 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• Graphics: Gigabyte Rx 560 OC 2GB
• Storage: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB