Songs of Silence (Goated Dark Fantasy Turn-Based Combat)

 

I waited on this one. Being a fan of the Heroes of Might and Magic games, though primarily the second and third, Songs of Silence hit a nostalgic nerve upon its first announcement. If you’re not familiar with these types of games, they’re turn-based, fantasy combat with strategy (though this can vary depending on the game). The aforementioned series did it so well, at least games two and three (ahem), it almost seems like nothing could compare since their first appearance, and we’re talking over twenty-five years now. There were other games that fit the standard, like the grossly underappreciated KKND2: Crossfire (not fantasy, please note), but regardless, not much movement in that front for years, until now? Yes, I say, and you know this is the most important review for this game on the goddamn planet folks.

   

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Visually, Songs of Silence deserves to be called stunning. The Art Nouveau aesthetic, as well as the lush in-game visuals, are exactly what this genre needed. Audio, also goated. The soundtrack hits when it should, but also encourages the same amount of mystical adventure you’d get out of the Heroes series, and the voice acting is thoroughly considered. Those parts can be easy, though, and for a game that leans towards dark fantasy almost a given it’s going to rip. The play is what we really need, and, I have to say, after almost the same number of hours into this game as there have been years since Heroes of Might and Magic III, Songs of Silence does it solid. My one sticking point, and why I waited until a recent price drop and update, is the auto-combat. Anyone who knows these types of games will immediately pause with a uh oh. Here, however, ultimately the player has much greater control over combat that it would first appear. Special cards particular to heroes or earned through leveling provide different impact when played on the field of battle and can greatly impact how a match ends, not to mention that troop placement by the player is often tantamount to success. Aside from this, the story is engaging, there are plenty of difficulty options, a great variety of heroes and troops, and a superior level of challenge (if you’re up for it). Hits that nostalgic nerve and helps it to grow the fuck up.

 

Songs of Silence Official Steam

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Songs of Silence
Chimera Entertainment (developer, publisher) and H2 Interactive (publisher)
4.7 / 5