Shadow Of The Road is an engaging story-driven, turn-based RPG brought to life by Another Angle Games and published by Owlcat Games. Set against the backdrop of Japan’s Boshin War—often referred to as the Japanese Civil War—this game masterfully blends elements of magic and machinery. The conflict revolves around the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and a coalition that aims to capture power for the Imperial Court.
In this immersive experience, players have the opportunity to form their own party of characters, each equipped with unique abilities, yōkai, and steampunk gadgets. Your choices will significantly influence the narrative, drawing you closer to allies or creating discord among them. Let’s delve into our preview of Shadow Of The Road during its early access phase.
First Impressions and Gameplay
While I aim to avoid major spoilers for newcomers, I want to share some insights from my play session. As someone who grew up playing Total War titles, particularly Shogun 2, the chance to engage in a turn-based strategy set during the Japanese Civil War was exhilarating. The inclusion of magic and steampunk themes solidified my excitement and sold me on the game from the very start—so much so that I could rave about it even without having completed it.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Shadow Of The Road follows a classic turn-based strategy format where each character’s movement is determined in a structured sequence. Although some modifiers can impact this order, the challenge lies in predicting and countering your opponent’s strategies. This element of anticipation creates a rewarding yet sometimes frustrating experience.
The game incorporates an “Attacks of Opportunity”mechanic, where moving too close to an enemy can trigger a retaliatory strike. This necessitates careful positioning, unless your character is ranged, in which case you maintain a tactical advantage. As customary in TBS games, you will also manage Movement Points (MP) and Action Points (AP).
During my exploration, I had the pleasure of controlling four distinct characters and found the overall combat system to be well-structured. While I won’t spoil all elements, I will introduce two key protagonists: Akira and Satoru.
Your adventure starts with these two ronin, and throughout your journey, you will encounter additional characters. Please note that, given this is an early preview, information may evolve as development continues.
Delving into the combat mechanics, Shadow Of The Road features Delayed Skills that execute after all other characters—enemies and allies alike—have used their turns. This unique twist adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay, enhancing both the thrill and the tactical depth.
Interestingly, Delayed Skills can be interrupted if an enemy is attacked during their charging period, rewarding players with additional action points. Players also have the option to dismantle cover to gain a strategic advantage, whether from a distance or up close.
Moreover, the game features Powerful Skills, which can dramatically alter the course of battle. These abilities come with cooldowns, preventing overuse and maintaining the game’s challenge. Beyond combat mechanics, the game’s environment plays a crucial role.
The environments in Shadow Of The Road are incredibly captivating. However, I was left wanting more as I wasn’t able to explore every detail of the beautifully designed world. The environments not only serve as battlegrounds but also feel organic and immersive, inviting players to interact with every corner.
This rich world is filled with quests, interactive items, and characters to engage with. The combination of Japanese mythology with steampunk aesthetics results in a unique gaming experience that is refreshingly original.
The game features a Skill Tree, enabling players to unlock and enhance skills vital for combat. So far, the enemy types encountered have been intriguing, with several incorporating steampunk elements that compliment the overall atmosphere. Each enemy possesses unique abilities, further enriching the tactical landscape of engagements.
Pushing aside mechanics, the narrative of Shadow Of The Road unveils a compelling storyline. Although my experience has been limited, the depth of character interactions and plot developments left me eager for more. With its captivating blend of historical and fantastical elements, I anticipate remarkable storytelling as the game progresses.
Final Thoughts
Shadow Of The Road unexpectedly captured my attention, and it’s likely to remain a favorite for quite some time. As an avid fan of turn-based strategy games, this title will be a welcome addition among those I unwind with after a demanding day. Although the full release is still on the horizon, the experiences thus far assure me that the anticipation will be worth it.
I wish to share more about the narrative intricacies, but I truly believe this game is best experienced personally. However, I’ve included an image of a climactic battle; while it may spoil some surprises for some, I hope it raises expectations for what awaits in version 1.0. Overall, Shadow Of The Road is brimming with potential, and I am eager for the chance to explore the entire storyline upon its full release.
Performance and Sound
My playthrough of Shadow Of The Road, provided by Owlcat Games, took place on a system with the following specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- GPU: RTX 3070 8GB
- RAM: 32 GB
Regarding its performance and audio design, this early build functioned smoothly with no noticeable issues such as lag or stuttering, demonstrating the developers’ commitment to quality.
Game Summary
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Developer: Another Angle Games
Publisher: Owlcat Games
Release Date: TBA