Masquerada: Songs and Shadows

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a fantasy tactical RPG set in a world of political intrigue and hidden identities, where players investigate a kidnapping in a society obsessed with masks and deception. The game features turn-based combat, rich narrative choices, and a unique atmosphere blending Renaissance aesthetics with supernatural elements.

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows: Review

Introduction

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a hidden gem in the tactical RPG genre, blending political intrigue, deep character studies, and a richly layered fantasy world. Developed by Witching Hour Studios and released in 2016, the game stands out for its narrative ambition and stylistic flair, even if its gameplay mechanics occasionally falter under the weight of its own aspirations. This review will dissect the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay systems, world-building, and lasting legacy, ultimately arguing that Masquerada is a bold, if imperfect, entry in the tactical RPG canon.

Development History & Context

Witching Hour Studios, a Singapore-based indie developer, crafted Masquerada as a labor of love, drawing inspiration from classic tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics and XCOM. The game’s development was crowdfunded via Kickstarter, reflecting the studio’s passion for storytelling and player-driven narratives. Released on September 30, 2016, for Windows, the game later expanded to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, demonstrating its cross-platform appeal.

The game’s setting, Ombre, is a city-state steeped in Renaissance-inspired aesthetics and political strife, where masks grant magical abilities and social hierarchy. This concept was influenced by the developers’ fascination with masquerades as both literal and metaphorical devices—masks as tools of power and deception. Technologically, Masquerada leveraged Unity, a choice that allowed for its hand-drawn, comic-book-inspired visuals but also constrained its combat mechanics, which often felt clunky compared to more polished contemporaries like Divinity: Original Sin 2.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot & Characters

The story follows Cicero Gavar, a disgraced former Maskrunner (rebel) turned reluctant investigator for the oppressive White Spire regime. Tasked with finding a missing researcher, Cicero uncovers a conspiracy that forces him to confront his past, particularly his estranged relationship with his revolutionary brother, Cyrus. The narrative is a slow-burn political thriller, exploring themes of neutrality, guilt, and the cost of power.

Cicero’s party includes a diverse cast:
– Kalden, a hulking warrior seeking his missing brother.
– Tiziana, a fiery guild member with a temper.
– Amadea, a former Maskrunner who resents Cicero’s past betrayal.
– Vasco, a rogue with a penchant for humor and loyalty.

Each character is fleshed out through dialogue and journal entries, making their arcs feel personal and emotionally resonant.

Themes & Dialogue

Masquerada excels in its exploration of political and moral ambiguity. Cicero’s journey from passive observer to reluctant hero mirrors the game’s central question: Can neutrality in the face of oppression ever be justified? The masks themselves symbolize duality—power and corruption, identity and deception. The dialogue is sharp, with moments of levity balancing the heavier themes, though some exposition-heavy sections slow the pacing.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Combat & Progression

The game employs a real-time-with-pause combat system, where players control one character while AI manages the others. This system is reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII but lacks the depth of more modern tactical RPGs. Combat is fast-paced, often requiring constant pausing to issue commands, which can feel cumbersome. The elemental mask system (fire, water, earth, wind) adds strategic variety, but the lack of meaningful character progression (skill points are awarded at fixed intervals) limits long-term engagement.

UI & Accessibility

The UI is functional but dated, with a cluttered codex that overwhelms players with lore. The game’s linearity is both a strength (keeping the narrative tight) and a weakness (limiting player agency). Auto-saving only at loading screens is a design misstep, forcing players to replay sections after deaths or crashes.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting & Atmosphere

Ombre is a vibrant, oppressive city where every district reflects its political and social tensions. The hand-drawn art style, inspired by European comics, gives the world a distinctive, stylized charm. The White Spire’s towering architecture contrasts with the grimy underbelly of the slums, reinforcing the game’s themes of inequality.

Sound Design & Music

The soundtrack, composed by Josh Whelchel, is a missed opportunity. While the voice acting (featuring talents like Fred Tatasciore and Yuri Lowenthal) is excellent, the music is overly solemn, lacking variety. Combat tracks are the sole exceptions, adding energy to battles.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Masquerada received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising its narrative and art direction but criticizing its combat and linearity. Metacritic scored it 76 for PS4, while Steam users rated it “Very Positive” (88/100). The game’s influence is subtle but notable—its focus on political storytelling and mask-based mechanics has echoes in later indie RPGs like Hades (mask motifs) and Disco Elysium (narrative depth).

Conclusion

Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a flawed but ambitious RPG that prioritizes storytelling over gameplay polish. Its strengths lie in its rich world-building, compelling characters, and thematic depth, while its combat and technical issues hold it back. As a narrative experience, it succeeds brilliantly; as a tactical RPG, it falls short. Despite its shortcomings, Masquerada deserves recognition as a bold, artistically driven title that pushed boundaries in indie game development. Its legacy endures as a testament to the power of storytelling in RPGs, even if its mechanics haven’t aged as gracefully.