Difficulty levels and insignias | Tips Styx: Shards of Darkness Guide

Difficulty setting menu

The game offers four difficulty levels. We suggerst you begin right from the second or even third, as the game isn't very hard, at least when it comes to enemies. What may become more difficult is the acquisition of insignias. Only on higher difficulty levels does the game require some more thought from the player, and enables them to employ its full potential.

• Discovery - the easiest difficulty level. It's easy to storm a group of enemies and wipe the floor with them. Sneaking elements are almost optional, and to your opponents you may as well be a ghost.
• Initiated - easy, but leaves some place for fun. The enemies are more aware of your actions, but it is still possible to beat them in a fight if something goes wrong. Suggested for first time players and those who wish to avoid trouble with more difficult sections of the game.
• Goblin - direct combat is unavailable in this mode and your character dies from a single sword strike. While it's not a strict rule, this mode will require you to use traps, ambushes and a good route to make it past every single enemy you'll encounter. Suggested for fans of the genre.
• Master - same rules as Goblin. The only difference is the fact that you cannot save your game at wish. Autosaves are all you've got.

After each completed level you will see a summary screen

Insignias - additional challenges available on each level. They include: time in which you've completed the mission, number of alarms you've triggered, number of enemies you've killed, and the number of tokens you've collected. The requirements for bronze, silver, and gold insignias can be checked in the main menu during each mission. You can replay missions to unlock them, also on lower difficulty levels. Collecting insignias will be rewarded with additional points, which you may spend on the development of your character or unlocking achievements / trophies.