What’s the outcome when you combine a chattering ghost ship, an eccentric group of zombie misfits, and a crew commanded by a genuine skeleton? It might sound like material for a Guybrush Threepwood wisecrack, but it’s actually the protagonist side in Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew. This remarkable game of stealth tactics places you at the helm, overseeing teams of enchanted undead pirates on their quest for a lost treasure, serving justice, addressing lingering regrets, and outsmarting the menacing skeletal monkey that haunts their vessel. The developers at Mimimi have infused the plot with a humor that propels the narrative, along with captivating visual design and level intricacy. The cast is composed of diverse rogues, each with unique abilities and roles. Collectively, these elements make Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew embark as quite possibly the pinnacle of stealth tactics gaming, steering the genre toward an even brighter future.
Your task is to manage a trio of pirates in real-time, maneuvering through island maps brimming with foes, innocent bystanders, and key features. Each of the eight distinct islands showcases the diorama-style craftsmanship that Mimimi has become renowned for through titles like Desperados 3 and its Shadow Tactics series. These islands unfold as moving canvases, not just adorned with picturesque landscapes, but also housing intricate stealth enigmas to decipher. The puzzle involves unraveling intricate patrol paths and guarding placements in a tactical manner. Moreover, it stands as one of the most accessible games I’ve encountered within this genre. The array of mission durations caters to shorter play sessions, while a comprehensive assortment of adjustable difficulty settings, categorized for easy navigation, accommodates players of varying skill levels.
The narrative’s framework is straightforward—a mission to resurrect the legendary phantom ship, Red Marley—yet the tales woven within and the characters who enact them are enchanting. While initially overwhelmed by the intricacies of the world, my immersion deepened as I progressed. I found myself captivated by the wicked and unmistakably unhinged Inquisitor antagonist, as well as the rich pirate mythology and the bizarre universe meticulously constructed by Shadow Gambit. This allure endured, even after many hours into the approximately 25-hour campaign.
Revisiting each island becomes a necessity, thanks to their intricate designs. Consider Angler’s Bay, an improvised township established on an island where a colossal, magical leviathan was drawn ashore and vanquished. Each level boasts distinct sections that invite both admiration and strategic evasion. Challenges unfold within these sections—a graveyard, expansive dock sightlines, and labyrinthine multi-story slums. Anticipating a mission at the docks? Assemble a team adept at swimming. Heading for the slums? Opt for agile rooftop navigation.
The toolbox available during gameplay is a testament to ingenious game design, making it challenging to revert to any other stealth tactics title. With a single button press, interactables and guards can be easily highlighted. The view cone of each guard is clearly illustrated, with stripes denoting partial vision and a solid fill representing full sight. Most notably, the capacity to identify precisely which character or location is within a guard’s line of sight is also an invaluable asset, illustrated by a yellow line connecting their gaze to the spot in question. This wealth of information empowers players to strategize effectively—a core element of a satisfying stealth tactics encounter.
The roster of eight characters boasts distinctive designs and captivating voice performances. Each character unfolds their narrative, featured in a series of missions or amusing side stories aboard the Red Marley that interlace between other tasks. These vignettes enrich the crew, the ship, and the personalities of each pirate. To maintain diversity, Shadow Gambit implements a system that encourages varying crew compositions. Mission success contributes to upgrade points, with extended periods of non-use yielding bonus points upon reintegration into the crew for an assignment.
Once the story concludes, the enjoyment doesn’t wane. Following the campaign’s triumph, you retain the opportunity to replay missions, tackle bypassed side quests, and unearth an entire catalog of concealed accomplishments and challenges to conquer. I derived immense satisfaction from these activities, even dedicating an additional ten hours to experimenting with challenges and alternate paths in previously completed missions—a hallmark of an exceptional stealth game. I’m undoubtedly returning for more secrets and rewards. The game also offers myriad strategies to tackle its levels, artfully blending the practice of saving and reloading with the game’s narrative. Its prowess shines across all fronts except, perhaps, for enemy AI. Frankly, I can’t think of anyone I wouldn’t enthusiastically recommend this game to.
