Originally expected for the end of this year, Styx: Shards of Darkness will finally arrive in Q1 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Patrick Pligersdorffer, CEO at Cyanide Studio, explains, “With this new episode of Styx we updated our engine from Unreal 3 to Unreal 4. This update has brought so much to the Styx series, from graphical enhancements to new gameplay mechanics and features. The engine transition has required some time for our team to adapt to. We’re dedicated to providing the best stealth experience possible for players, so in agreement with our publisher Focus, we are delaying the game until the first quarter of 2017.”

Developed with Unreal 4, Styx: Shards of Darkness, creeps into an ambitious new sequel with a host of new features! Today, we are unveiling the very first gameplay video of Styx: Shards of Darkness, where you can watch our goblin hero sneak, climb, swing, and kill through the Port of Korrangar on a mission offered by his latest shadowy client. This is the perfect opportunity to discover some of the new features and gameplay mechanics added to Styx’s latest adventure.

In search for the Ambassador’s magical scepter stolen by a shape-shifting elf, Styx must infiltrate a diplomatic summit through clever use of the environment and new crafting abilities. A new feature, crafting, enables Styx to use more abilities, such as throwing a cocoon large distances enabling him to teleport into a newly hatched clone of himself.

The series’ lauded verticality returns, with many choices of routes and tactics to take throughout the level. Stick to the shadows on the ground, avoiding patrols, or turn to the walls and ceilings to sneak past or attack from above. Kill, or subvert; the choice is yours – just don’t be seen!

The leveling system returns expanded and enhanced. Using the magical power of Amber, Styx is able to turn himself invisible for a short period of time, and if you choose to upgrade this skill, it can even turn victims invisible while you go in for kills. By leveling up the assassination tree, Styx gets access to improved aerial kills, as well as the ability to kill an enemy from a barrel or box and stuff the body inside in a single, swift, move.

Styx’s second adventure builds upon the foundations laid Akenash, with more fluid movement and climbing abilities, a richer story told with cinematics including an enhanced bestiary, and side-missions to complete for the sneakiest of goblins.

Styx: Shards of Darkness comes out early 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC! You can preorder the game now to get exclusive access to the Akenash set, donning the outfit and dagger of Styx’s first adventure.