record the review article for this Victorian steampunk CRPG with Tarot scorecard alternatively of dice .
In an geological era of telecasting games where CRPGs are gather even more popularity with the success of Baldur ’s Gate 3 and Disco Elysium , I jumped intoSovereign Syndicatewith uncertain , yet high expectations of an experience akin to those two .
I bequeath Sovereign Syndicate seeing so much potential , yet wanting more out of this straight-laced steampunk world .
Excellent worldbuilding , rich fictional character pattern , and an unfolding mystery are what I ’ll recall Sovereign Syndicate most for . But I got the feeling that there could ’ve been much more to this storey that we did n’t see . Let ’s get into my review of Sovereign Syndicate .
A mesh of fitting genres
Sovereign Syndicate did a great job at melding unlike music genre and twisting sure CRPG aspects into their own affair . It ’s set in a Victorian steampunk version of London where mankind survive amongst fantasy creatures . Dwarves , Centaurus , and even Minotaur exist in this universe , but it ’s not fully at heartsease . Themes of racism and sexism are litter throughout , amongst others , all explored wondrous .
You ’re full immersed in a mankind that truly feels like it exists , with a history , its own language , and a colourful cast of characters . For the size of the plot , the setting was n’t too bad where it palpate overwhelming , and it was n’t too small to be boring . Each chapter has you alternate between the three primary agonist , and you ’ll often line up yourself coming back to places you ’ve been before , but not as the same fictional character .
Each chapter ends with an Oscar Wilde citation , and all character reference accumulate mood base on Humorism in philosophy . Any English or arts major will savour their time with Sovereign Syndicate , as you ’ll also have to do a lot of reading . The writing is graphic and descriptive , being one of the smoothen constituent of Sovereign Syndicate .
Screenshot: PC Invasion
A tarot twist
Another affair that I liked about this game is how it change the manner skill checks work . Instead of rolling die , the secret plan will pull out a random tarot card . This card , count on its figure , will help you either win or neglect a chip . As a tarot - lover myself , I savour this machine to the CRPG genre .
The biz also did a near problem of allowing the player to adjudicate what variety of character these protagonists will be . By unlock Major Arcana , you may make unequaled negotiation option . This can also change depending on your Temperament , so you ’ll now and then gain and lose influence throughout your playthrough .
While there were a few selection that seemed game - exchange , I ca n’t say how crazy these change sincerely are . This would require me to go back to some one-time saves and try other choices , although I ’m not even sure how impactful the changes could be . I did n’t feel much need to go back for another playthrough , which disappointed me for a game based on dialogue choices .
Screenshot: PC Invasion
Chapter by chapter
With each chapter , you get a young character reference to control out of your main three . I savor each of them , and I could see their stories being flesh out , but a part of me feel as though I did n’t get enough from them . The ending of the biz itself almost felt like a cliffhanger to a second season of an exciting show . Although I knew it was the last , it matt-up like just the beginning of a broader tale .
If there ’s a sequel incoming , then I can see how this ending would essay useful . But if not , then I palpate as though some of these characters ’ narrative were slew short and merit more time in the public eye . Speaking of grapheme , there are many epithet you ’ll learn and many faces you ’ll meet , so I wished that I could see some variety of character or world cyclopedia .
This would ’ve helped me keep data track of who the NPC are , how they ’re connected to the tale , and what I be intimate about them so far . The main story necessitate a couple of braggy mysteries your persona go out and solve , so an cyclopedia of uprise information would ’ve been helpful .
Screenshot: PC Invasion
Speaking of story , the way that all three narratives tied together , alongside some shocking twists , was entertaining . It took a few chapters before I understood what the overall plot would spread over , but otherwise , I thought it was well done . The only complaint I have about side quest is how I ’ve been locked out of a few inadvertently just because I did n’t know where to go and I was supposed to get it done in an early chapter , but what can you do ?
Stumbling through
Another thing I took note of was the controls . It ’s a pretty minor thing to plain about , but I found myself deliver difficulty getting around sure areas because of the fixed top - down television camera . surely , I could whizz in and out , but I was hoping to be able to turn the camera around as well .
Since you have to press on the covert to say your character where to move , I ’d sometimes be adhere in a small-scale hall not knowing where to press because I could n’t turn over the camera to face a better direction . There was also one spot with a grand piano where I walked into a weird corner of it and glitched into the air , ineffectual to teleport out or get out , forcing me to recharge an older save .
Other than those small beef , I found myself sometimes wishing the secret plan would tell apart me sure thing . Although I enjoyed finding my way without it arrest my hand during some pursuance , other times I spent more than 10 minutes campaign around one area trying to find someone for a seeking without realizing they would n’t show up until a late chapter . as luck would have it , these were venial issues that did n’t involve how I felt about the entirety of the secret plan .
Screenshot: PC Invasion
Hoping for more
Sovereign Syndicate is a fun CRPG that has intelligent writing , a unique tarot organisation , and an interesting history . Yet my one glaring issue with it is that it feels like the showtime of something bighearted . The ending felt a little rushed , and upon one big , exciting moment happening at the finish , the credit vagabond , and I want to see what happened next .
Screenshot: PC Invasion
