Twelve Years On, Blackguards Still Proves That Outcasts Make Better Investigators Than Heroes

Blackguards is a turn-based strategy RPG that trades shiny armor for a band of misfits and criminals. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, the game asks what happens when the world’s only hope rests not with heroes but with a group of outcasts. It’s a dark, mature story of crime, drugs, and murder, told across over 180 unique hex-based battlegrounds.

The premise is simple. You play a warrior, mage, or hunter, and you customize your character’s skills as you see fit. The campaign delivers a story of doubt, treason, and loss. At key turning points, you decide the course of the story and determine its outcome.

Trailer, via Daedalic Entertainment.

Setting and Story

Blackguards takes place in the fictional continent of Aventuria within the Empire of Horasia. The plot centers on a murder investigation involving a princess. Along the way, you meet a cast of unlikely allies: a dwarven bootlegger, a decadent black magician, a witch, an indigenous gladiator, and a drug-addicted half-elf hunter. These five protagonists form the core of your party, and the game lets you control each of them in varying combinations.

The world is dark and mature. Crime, drugs, and murder are central themes, and the tone stays grim throughout. This is not a fantasy game about noble quests and shining swords. It’s about survival, betrayal, and the people society rejects.

Combat and Customization

The combat system is turn-based and tactical. Each battle plays out on a hex grid, and positioning matters. You can play as a warrior, mage, or hunter, and you build your character’s skills over time. The customization options let you tailor your approach to your preferred style of play.

The campaign is challenging. The story of doubt, treason, and loss unfolds through a series of branching choices. At key turning points, you decide the course of the story, and your decisions shape the outcome. This is a game where your actions matter, and the consequences ripple through the narrative.

The Five Protagonists

The five playable characters each bring a distinct personality to the story. The dwarven bootlegger is a rough, practical type. The decadent black magician is elegant and dangerous. The witch is mysterious and powerful. The indigenous gladiator is fierce and loyal. The drug-addicted half-elf hunter is haunted by his past.

These characters interact with each other and with the world around them. Their relationships drive the story forward, and your choices affect who lives and who dies. The game gives you multiple paths to the same ending, but the journey changes depending on who you choose to follow.

Themes and Tone

The central mystery involves the murder of a princess. You try to solve the case with the help of the characters you meet along the way. The investigation leads you through various locations in Aventuria, from small villages to grand cities.

The story is dark and mature, and it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Crime, drugs, and murder are treated seriously, and the game explores their consequences for the people caught up in them. The tone is consistent throughout, and the world feels lived-in and dangerous.

Presentation and Platforms

The game runs on PC and Mac, with a bird-view perspective that shows the battlefield clearly. The game focuses entirely on the story. There is no multiplayer component, and the game is designed for solo play.

The Legacy

Daedalic Entertainment developed Blackguards, and the game is based on the leading German pen-and-paper role-playing game The Dark Eye. Its success led to a sequel, Blackguards 2, which followed in later years.

A definitive edition was released in 2016 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. That version brought the game to consoles, expanding its audience beyond PC and Mac players.

The sequel followed in later years, but Blackguards remains the foundation of the series. The game’s dark tone and its focus on morally ambiguous characters set the template for what followed.

Final Word

Blackguards is a solid tactical RPG. The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the combat system rewards careful thought.

Here’s where the game stands:

1. The story is strong. The murder investigation keeps you engaged, and the branching choices give the narrative weight.
2. The characters are distinct. Each protagonist brings a unique voice to the game, and their interactions add depth to the world.
3. The combat is tactical. Positioning on the hex grid matters, and building your skills feels rewarding.
4. The presentation is dark and atmospheric. The bird-view perspective works well for the genre.

Overall, Blackguards succeeds in creating a compelling story of crime and betrayal, even if its technical polish doesn’t match its ambition. It’s a game worth playing for fans of tactical RPGs, especially those who enjoy darker, more mature settings.

Aventuria · Blackguards · Daedalic Entertainment · game review · tactical RPG