Those who have played Master of Shadows will feel comfortable in Shards of Darkness. Besides his well-known methods, Styx has a few new tricks ready to stay one step ahead of his opponents. The levels are especially impressive in their height, often you can find three more floors above you after you thought you'd already reached the top - which makes it even more fun to navigate through the levels. The story is largely independent of its predecessor, but of course it helps if you have played it. Besides, a dose of black humor doesn't hurt: Styx has countless ways to tell you what an incompetent rag you are after you - once again - die of something. Always in a familiar sourpuss mood, of course. Special mention of the music in the final boss fight: Without a joke, it has potential, you can look forward to it. One point of criticism to the predecessor are bugs: The AI sometimes makes some nonsense and in the final level the boss often slips into a certain animation - which makes the corresponding section in this fight quite easy. Annoying, but bearable.