Back on the grid
Swedish developers The Bearded Ladies certainly have a pop in.
But it also means the weaker elements of the formula are left more exposed, which isnt.
For one, the all-new post-apocalyptic premise here has a lot more ground to cover.
Even if its well drawn, though, theres not much here to elevate the scenario above end-of-days cliches.
On the other hand, attempts to treat the fiction as a springboard for comedy fall flat.
Elvis role as laidback ordinary Joe turned potential hero also fails to entertain.
Rather than a wisecracking Bruce Willis punch in, he just sounds drowsy.
Whatever the thinking was here, the result feels horribly dated.
The otherwise routine beats of the plot bleed into some very uninspired mission design too.
Most relationships with NPCs begin and end there.
Then, once youre in battle, beware of some erratic results.
Or occasionally, the promised outcome of an attack simply doesnt happen.
Few tactics games grant you this kind of room to consider your approach.
At the core of Miasma Chronicles, then, is a nugget of precious metal.
But around that core theres too much that doesnt quite fit, or isnt quite up to snuff.
