Miasma Chronicles - Xbox Series X

Miasma Chronicles is a tactical role-playing game developed by The Bearded Ladies and published by 505 Games. Released on May 23, 2023, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows platforms, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a mysterious force known as the 'Miasma'.

Players follow the journey of Elvis, a young man left in the mining town of Sedentary as a baby, under the care of his robotic 'brother', Diggs. Elvis possesses a unique glove, a relic from his mother, that grants him the ability to control the Miasma. Together, they embark on a quest across a desolate wasteland to uncover the secrets behind the Miasma and find Elvis's mother, with their discoveries potentially altering the course of human history.

The gameplay combines real-time exploration with tactical, turn-based combat. Players can navigate through diverse environments, employing stealth mechanics to avoid or ambush enemies. When engagements occur, the game shifts to a tactical mode where strategic positioning and the effective use of abilities are crucial. Characters can be customized through skill trees, unlocking new abilities and bonuses that enhance their effectiveness in combat.

Miasma Chronicles offers four difficulty levels, catering to a range of player preferences. These settings allow players to adjust the challenge, with options to simplify combat mechanics, such as ensuring certain attacks hit with 100% certainty, reducing reliance on random chance.

The narrative delves into themes of environmental catastrophe and societal collapse, reflecting on the consequences of relying on powerful corporations and individuals to solve global issues. The game's setting in a dystopian America serves as a backdrop for exploring these themes, with influences from Japanese role-playing games evident in its storytelling approach.

Upon release, Miasma Chronicles received mixed to positive reviews. Critics praised the game's tactical combat system and the depth of its gameplay mechanics. However, some reviews pointed out shortcomings in the writing and a perceived lack of innovation compared to previous titles from The Bearded Ladies.

Overall, Miasma Chronicles presents a challenging and thought-provoking experience for fans of tactical role-playing games, offering a blend of strategic combat and narrative exploration in a richly imagined post-apocalyptic world.