December 21st 2023.
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew - a bittersweet swansong
GameCentral takes a look at the final release from Mimimi Games and what is in danger of being the last ever stealth strategy game. When Shadow Gambit came out in August, we had no time to review it, but we have rectified that now. Unfortunately, by the time we got to it, the German developer Mimimi Games had already shut their doors.
They announced they were closing just days after the game's launch, citing the high cost of making games and not making enough money to survive. This was a particularly bitter pill to swallow, considering that Mimimi had done so much to keep the niche of stealth strategy games alive. Drawing inspiration from the late 90s Commandos series, they had previously given us the samurai-era Japan of Shadow Tactics and a cowboy sequel to Desperados.
Now, with Shadow Gambit, we get a supernatural pirate adventure, clearly influenced by the Pirates Of The Caribbean films. The story involves a sentient ghost ship whose crew you help to reanimate. There are eight different playable characters in total, each with their own undead powers and optional side quests.
You can only take three pirates with you into each mission, which can be a bit overwhelming for new players. Fortunately, you don't have to face the pyrotechnic inquisitors alone, as each character has their own unique skills and abilities. These range from being able to distract enemies, to growing bushes, possessing enemies, and even teleporting.
The other half of the equation is the vision cones, which are vitally important in stealth strategy games. You must watch the patrol routes of the guards and learn their patterns, while figuring out ways to sneak past their field of vision. This often requires split-second decisions and the ability to make do with whatever skillsets you have.
Mimimi have also addressed the issue of save-scumming, which is the very PC-centric concept of constantly saving the game after every successful action. The ship actively reminds you if you haven't saved and discourages you from loading an old save. This is a good addition that encourages players to think more strategically about how they approach each mission.
Overall, Shadow Gambit is an enjoyable, charming game with surprisingly accessible mechanics. It's a shame that this is Mimimi's last game and that the genre may not survive in the long term. However, it's a fitting swansong for the developer and a great way to remember them.
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