From developers Artifice studio comes Sang Froid: Tales of Werewolves, a game that has a quirky mix of action and strategy built upon superb gameplay mechanics and intense soundtrack along with brilliant graphics. The game was released just a while back and has made quite mark in the gaming society. Artifice studio has infused a survivalist theme to the game as the player fights of groups of supernatural horrors and enemies that threaten his very existence. This game brings back the feeling of ‘A need for survival’ as the player is perpetually challenged by the game.

At first glance the game might seem to be a tower defence lookalike but upon close inspection the player will realise the game stands for so much more. The story revolves around two brothers who are lumberjacks and are tasked to rescue their sister from the clutches of the devil himself. It has a folktale setting and draws the player into the story giving them a completely immersive and addictive feeling. The player has to carefully and strategically set traps in the day and wait for night to battle the creatures that pour into the area.

The player will always feel trapped and getting through levels will award the player with a sense of achievement and immense pleasure. The game requires planning with precision in order for the player to survive. The two characters one thin (hard difficulty) and second burly (normal difficulty) each have a unique style attached to them which the player can utilize. The player has a variety of tools at his disposal out of which he can fashion traps to keep his enemies at bay. The rifle is powerful but reloading it takes ages which pushes the pressure up. Traps, platforms, bonfires consume money which leaves next to nothing to upgrade the player with.This is why the player has to think wisely and make some harsh decisions which range from upgrading the melee slot, upgrading the rifle or buying more traps. How the player chooses to act and spend his money is crucial to the outcome of every stage.

The ambience all around is eerie and the player will feel threatened at every step. The sounds are crystal clear letting the player hear each shot fired, each step taken in the snowy paths along with a lovely soundtrack. The voice acting though is unimpressive and the story dialogue sequences seem forced which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Fear is a vital element that is utilized to its maximum potential within the game. Both the player as well as his enemies can use fear as a weapon against each other. The trick is to intimidate your enemies before they do you which once again require careful planning. On the visual front, Sang Froid: Tales of Werewolves falls short. But due to its superior gameplay mechanics it more or less makes up for the lack of visual appeal.

Sang Froid: Tales of Werewolves visually might not make the mark but definitely shines with brilliance when it comes to its unique gameplay style and survival-horror theme.