Masquerada: Songs and Shadows

Masquerada: Songs and Shadow is definitely a RPG game I would recommend to anyone who can get their hands on it. 10 out of 10 in my books.

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In "Masquerada: Songs and Shadows," explore a fantasy world inspired by Venetian architecture, where a conflict over magical masks unfolds. As protagonist Cicero Gavar, uncover a conspiracy while navigating political intrigue and moral dilemmas. Utilize a rich real-time combat system, combining tactical choices with the power of elemental masks to defeat adversaries. Engage in a gripping narrative with voice-acted dialogue, featuring the talents of actors like Matthew Mercer and Jennifer Hale.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 241 reviews

story161 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
The story is engaging and well-written, with rich world-building and character development that keeps players invested.
The voice acting is top-notch, featuring a talented cast that brings the characters to life.

The gameplay is linear and lacks meaningful choices, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional RPG.
Combat can be simplistic and sometimes frustrating due to AI issues and a lack of depth in mechanics.
There is no manual save option, relying solely on autosaves, which can lead to repeated sections if players fail during difficult encounters.

story
471 mentions
34 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of *Masquerada: Songs and Shadows* is widely praised for its rich world-building, engaging characters, and emotional depth, often described as the game's standout feature. While the narrative is linear and lacks player choice, many players found themselves captivated by the intricate plot and character development, with some noting that the storytelling is reminiscent of a well-crafted novel. However, some critiques mention that the pacing can drag at times, and the reliance on extensive reading of lore entries may detract from the overall experience for those seeking a more interactive gameplay approach.
- “Together with an incredible storyline, interesting characters with intriguing different stories, and perfect music, this game has the perfect combination for a thrilling experience.”
- “The story makes sense, the characters all have their own personalities and problems, everyone feels unique in their own way and to some you can even relate if you give it some thought.”
- “The story is absolutely worth playing for on its own.”
- “The story is linear, and some RPG fans may be disappointed that they are given no agency in charting their own course through story or dialogue options, but it is what it is.”
- “The story is nothing to write home about and starts to slow down near the end; the characters all get their 'one episode highlight' and everyone resolves all their personal demons, but the world is gorgeous, the voicework is excellent, and the lore is deep.”
- “However, due to the lackluster story, I started skipping every single scene after Act I.”
music
127 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Masquerada: Songs and Shadows" is widely praised for its beautiful composition, haunting melodies, and effective integration into the game's lore and atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the operatic and choral elements, noting that the soundtrack enhances the emotional depth of the story, even if some tracks can become repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “The music is magnificent.”
- “The music is haunting and evokes very well the emotion of each scene.”
- “The soundtrack is astonishing.”
- “I would recommend turning down the music a lot, though; otherwise, everything will sound muffled while a choir blasts your ears.”
- “The music didn't have me humming after closing out of the game, but it adds just the right amount of atmosphere when it's needed.”
- “I turned off the music because I found it distracting, but then turned it on because silence during scenes needing music is even more distracting.”
gameplay
102 mentions
25 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Masquerada: Songs and Shadows* is generally viewed as simplistic and linear, often overshadowed by its strong narrative and artistic presentation. While some players appreciate the engaging story and character development, many criticize the combat mechanics for being shallow and repetitive, with a lack of tactical depth. Overall, the game is recommended primarily for those interested in its story rather than its gameplay.
- “This is actually high art - the visuals, the music and sound design, the voice acting, the writing, how the gameplay mechanics all tie together.”
- “A story that sucked me in and gameplay that was fun and a little challenging at times.”
- “The gameplay is also pretty entertaining, with the interesting elemental tag system and the ability to mix and match abilities.”
- “The gameplay and story feel undercooked.”
- “The gameplay isn't great and on normal difficulty it did not require much tactical thought; it's busy work adjacent.”
- “The game sacrifices gameplay in multiple areas in favor of presentation.”
graphics
78 mentions
59 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful and vibrant art style, which features hand-drawn backgrounds and charming character designs. While some users noted minor issues like blurriness and a lack of emotional range in animations, the overall aesthetic is considered stunning and complements the engaging story and sound design. Many reviewers highlighted the game's unique visual presentation as a significant strength, making it a visually appealing experience.
- “The art style is gorgeous, this game is beautiful!”
- “The visuals are absolutely gorgeous.”
- “Beautiful game, totally recommend it: the music is breathtaking, the graphics are just gorgeous, and the story is fantastic, set in a complex and imaginative world that I'm eager to continue exploring.”
- “The graphics are decent enough, but not particularly outstanding.”
- “Where there choices to be made throughout the game, had it taken advantage of the medium it was telling its story in, then I could see massive potential for this title, but as it stands it's a solid, inoffensive, good, but not great fantasy story with a unique art style.”
- “The art style is quite simple and yet eye-catching.”
emotional
22 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its moving narrative, intricate character development, and impactful voice acting that brings the characters to life. The story is described as both heartwarming and heartbreaking, featuring themes of sacrifice and the complexity of human relationships, which resonate deeply with players. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the emotional depth and immersive storytelling leave a lasting impression, making it a memorable experience.
- “I instantly got sucked into the story this game tells - it's moving, intricate, and emotional.”
- “Themes like the possibility of freedom against the gaze of others and the violence and sacrifice demanded by history are offered to the player in an elegant and heart-touching way.”
- “The narrative pulls no punches and tells a story that became surprisingly dark, propelled by the actions of characters who feel heartbreakingly human.”
character development
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with characters facing relatable and mature issues that contribute to an immersive experience. While some characters initially appear generic, they undergo significant growth, leading to a deeper connection with players. The combination of excellent voice acting, thoughtful character design, and rich world-building enhances the overall narrative, making character development a standout feature.
- “Incredible voice acting, character development, mature and serious and relatable problems that the characters are facing, and all in all a very immersive experience.”
- “Strong character development, rage, doubt, hate, love, all thrown in together.”
- “The characters are full of life and unique in their own way; the combat isn't anything new or special, but what is the best thing in the game is the story and character development.”
- “Character design really is so very important, and if the protagonist was going to be this ultimate evolutionary form of boring and generic (seriously, I could swear this guy is computer-generated to fulfill the criteria of 'the single-most uninteresting character you'll ever meet anywhere), why not just give us a blank slate and let us make our own custom character?”
- “The characters are full of life and unique in their own way, the combat isn't anything new or special but what is the best thing in the game is, the story and character development.”
- “Combat mechanics drop off towards the last 80% of the game but for a masterclass in character development and world-building, look no further.”
replayability
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability due to its linear structure and minimal player choices, which restricts the potential for varied experiences in subsequent playthroughs. While there is a New Game Plus mode that offers some additional content, the overall lack of customization and branching paths means it may not satisfy players seeking extensive replay value. Overall, it is recommended for its story and world, but players should not expect a high level of replayability.
- “There is some replay value due to the game plus mode having some additional bosses and a deeper understanding of some of the story elements.”
- “I'm not saying it's perfect, the game could've given the player a choice here and there, which in turn increases replayability. You can choose your character's skills as you see fit and even pick your main character's main element at the start of the game.”
- “While the replay value is somewhat low, this game is like a bedtime story.”
- “I am recommending this title because in retrospect I enjoyed the story and the world, but it was a close call due to the lack of any real replay value.”
- “The minimal customization and lack of player choice definitely affects the game's replayability, so don't expect to play this for hours upon hours like the Baldur's Gate series or Pillars of Eternity.”
- “There is minimal replayability.”
optimization
7 mentions
57 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is lacking, with reports of choppy animations and occasional lock-ups, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these technical issues, players appreciate the rich story, strong worldbuilding, and excellent voice performances that keep them engaged.
- “A great tactical RPG with strong worldbuilding, story, and vocal performances.”
- “Great story, rich lore, and amazing performances from the voice actors.”
- “However, the voice actors really carried their performances and made the characters seem earnest.”
- “Animations are sometimes choppy, the game sometimes locks up, and nothing is optimized.”
grinding
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be excessive, with some players finding the lengthy and repetitive battles tedious, particularly towards the end where pacing suffers. However, others appreciate the progression system for avoiding traditional grind mechanics, focusing instead on storytelling, though the additional reading and distractions can detract from the overall experience.
- “Grindy, a bit too long sometimes, with tons of boring fights.”
- “The storytelling remains brilliant until the ending, where the pacing gets thrown off the rails and we're unfortunately faced with a rather long and tedious crawl through linear trash fights and Cicero's personal drama that, for all intents and purposes, has already been addressed and resolved once.”
- “The tedious reading and visual distractions take you away from the story and gameplay.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning maps and unique blend of historical elements, moving away from traditional medieval settings. The effective use of voice acting and background dialogue enhances the immersive experience, while the music, though not memorable, complements the atmosphere well. Overall, players find the aesthetic and atmospheric elements to be engaging and well-crafted.
- “The atmosphere of this world is amazing, the maps are beautiful, and I am always glad to encounter fantasy stories that are not set in a medieval world, but mix in other historical elements.”
- “Time and again, I was fascinated by how tone, wording, and voice blended together to create a humane, engaging atmosphere.”
- “The music may not have me humming after closing out of the game, but it adds just the right amount of atmosphere when it's needed.”
- “The music didn't have me humming after closing out of the game, but it adds just the right amount of atmosphere when it's needed.”
- “It helps a lot to immerse in the atmosphere.”
stability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some praise the game for running smoothly and being bug-free, others encounter issues such as freezing on exit and buggy abilities.
- “Oh, and everything works, totally bug-free.”
- “And while it runs perfectly, it freezes on exit, requiring a force quit.”
- “X is a buggy mess.”
- “Generally, it's real-time-with-pause, but it moves a little too fast, and some of the abilities seem buggy.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both hilarious and engaging, effectively blending wit with emotional depth. Reviewers appreciate the surprising story that keeps them invested, highlighting its ability to evoke laughter while also tugging at heartstrings. Overall, the humor adds a compelling layer to the gameplay experience.
- “I am so glad I picked this one up - the story is surprising and kept me interested - emotional and funny.”
- “It was funny, it pulled at your heartstrings, witty, serious, all sorts of things.”
- “It's hilarious and engaging, and I found myself wandering back and forth quite often, to make sure I didn't miss anything.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game appears to be low-key, with minimal advertising efforts, as users have discovered it primarily through organic recommendations on platforms like Steam.