Skautfold: Moonless Knight

В начале было неплохо, но под конец откровенно хотелось дропнуть. Чуть лучше чем третья часть, но всё ещё хуже чем первые две. Из явных плюсов только прокачанная боевая система под вдохновением от Секиро, которую автор сам же решил убить сделав ГГ инертным и тугим, и навалив всех визуальных эффектов которые смог придумать разом. Локации однообразные и с шизовым дизайном во второй половине игры, по ним невозможно ориентироваться без карты, при этом карта неинформативная, в игре уйма бэктрэкинга, а под конец автор ещё и карту убирает. Сюжет по смысловой нагрузке решил остаться на уровне анимешной мыльной оперы из прошлой части, но при этом персонажи максимально безликие и незапоминающиеся, что для аниме просто фатально. К тому же валят текста они неимоверное количество, а каждое слово отбивается звуком пишущей машинки, что похоже на садизм, и заставляет зажимать кнопку скипа. Ну и всунутый в сценарий ключевой кусок Хребтов Безумия уже выглядит как пошлость. А больше сказать нечего. Хорошие решения есть, в том числе и в исследовании локаций, но оно всё убивается перспективой и визуалом. P.S. Вообще-то когда я только начал играть, то хотел поставить палец вверх, но прохождение растянулось на полгода, последние локации невыносимо унылые, и начав писать текст я понял что хорошего толком и нечего сказать. Как тайм-киллер побегать в первой локе понажимать кнопки норм, но ничего больше. В итоге пока в Скаутфолде две прекрасные игры против двух голимых. Осталась последняя.

Skautfold: Moonless Knight is a dark action-RPG developed by Steve Gal and published by Pugware. Released on Steam in 2020, the game represents one of the more ambitious entries within the Skautfold franchise. While earlier titles experimented with different gameplay styles—from Souls-like combat to twin-stick shooting—Moonless Knight shifts toward a more exploration-focused action RPG structure that draws inspiration from Metroidvania design. The result is a game that blends interconnected level design, methodical combat systems, and cosmic horror storytelling into a cohesive gothic adventure. The narrative continues the series’ alternate history setting known as the Angelic Empire of Britannia, a fictional version of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries where advanced technology and eldritch influences coexist uneasily. In this chapter of the saga, the player follows Gray, the empire’s Second Knight, who travels to the Dawn Empire of Japan on a diplomatic mission. What begins as a formal political exchange quickly descends into chaos when a cult-led uprising erupts within the imperial palace. At the same time, an otherworldly catastrophe unfolds above the world as the Moon fractures open, releasing mysterious forces that begin corrupting the land. Caught in the middle of political conflict and supernatural disaster, Gray must navigate the sprawling palace complex and uncover the truth behind the coup before the situation spirals completely out of control. The majority of the game takes place within the Oda Imperial Palace, an enormous structure filled with interconnected corridors, ceremonial chambers, gardens, and hidden passageways. Unlike strictly linear action games, the palace is designed as a large interconnected map where new areas gradually become accessible as the player acquires abilities or unlocks shortcuts. Early sections of the game may restrict access to certain regions, but exploration gradually opens new paths that loop back to earlier areas. This design encourages players to revisit previously explored locations, uncover secrets, and slowly build a mental map of the palace’s complex layout. Exploration is rewarded with hidden relics, equipment upgrades, and narrative fragments that expand the lore of the Skautfold universe. The game rarely delivers its story through long exposition scenes. Instead, much of the narrative is discovered through environmental details, item descriptions, and subtle visual cues scattered throughout the palace. This approach invites players to piece together the larger story themselves, gradually uncovering how the political rebellion and the cosmic catastrophe are connected. Combat in Moonless Knight builds upon the unique Guard System introduced in earlier Skautfold titles. Instead of relying solely on health points and simple blocking mechanics, the game introduces a defensive meter that represents the protagonist’s ability to withstand attacks. Successful defensive maneuvers such as blocking or deflecting enemy strikes reduce pressure on the guard meter, while poorly timed defenses can cause the guard to break. When this happens, the player becomes vulnerable to heavy damage. This system forces players to think carefully about timing and positioning rather than relying on aggressive attacks alone. Weapons also play an important role in shaping combat strategy. Different weapons provide distinct advantages and drawbacks, encouraging players to experiment with various fighting styles. Heavier weapons deliver powerful blows but require careful timing, while lighter weapons allow faster movement and quicker attacks. Because enemies often attack in groups or from unexpected directions, players must balance offense and defense carefully in each encounter. One of the game’s most unusual features is its organic progression system. Rather than assigning experience points in the traditional RPG sense, character attributes improve based on the player’s actions durin…

It takes a lot of time to get used to the fighting mechanics, although they are a combination of Usurper's stamina/guard and Metroidvania elements and Into the Fray's top-down camera and movement. But as soon as you get strong enough, you will start smashing through floors like crazy. Story and atmosphere are great as always, and I'm eager to know how it will all end.