Songs of Silence by Chimera Entertainment pushes the boundaries of what a turn-based strategy game can be, offering a fresh take on the 4X genre (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate). This 4X strategy game, released in Early Access, features a unique mix of turn-based kingdom management and fast-paced, real-time battles, brought to life with stunning Art Nouveau-inspired visuals. Players can explore hand-crafted maps, build kingdoms, and command powerful armies. Featuring both single-player and multiplayer modes, Songs of Silence combines kingdom management with real-time combat, delivering an experience that feels both immersive and refreshingly unique.
Whether you’re new to strategy games or a seasoned tactician, Songs of Silence offers something for everyone, blending the best elements of classic strategy with an innovative twist. Here’s a breakdown of what game features make this game a must-play for strategy fans.
Songs of Silence is a beautiful, story-rich game that blends high fantasy with strategic gameplay, except that's just the beginning. Players are thrust into a beautiful world torn by conflict and sundered into realms of light and darkness. This unstable world, which arose from the ashes of the defeated Firstborn, is now beset by an all-consuming Silence—a mysterious force that threatens to consume everything. The fate of the realms rests in the hands of those who can command armies as they explore and conquer.
Songs of Silence is repainting the strategy genre in gorgeous technicolour, replacing the staid, drab medieval fantasy of many games. Forget the staid, drab medieval fantasy of many; instead, revel instead in the excesses and bold brushstrokes that the team at Chimera Entertainment have crafted. Inspired by Art Nouveau, its visual style takes cues from artists like Alphonse Mucha, making each scene feel like a work of art. The game’s intricate and vibrant world design offers a breath of fresh air in the strategy genre, setting it apart from the usual muted colours and bleak landscapes.
The core of Songs of Silence revolves around turn-based 4X strategy, but it goes beyond the traditional formula. Players can lead one of three unique factions, each with distinct abilities and playstyles. The game’s turn-based kingdom management, combined with fast-paced tactical, real-time battles, creates an intense and decisive experience where every decision can turn the tide of war.
1000 Kingdoms: These are survivors from a fallen empire who worship the celestial gods and constantly feud among themselves. This faction provides a classic human-based gameplay experience, relying on strong, adaptable units.
The Old Race: The Firstborn civilization, once powerful, now uses mystical constructs called “Konstrukts” to supplement their dwindling forces. They have a unique resource-focused approach, tapping into the world’s Hymn to power their abilities.
The Crusade: This faction’s followers are zealots who worship a void deity and are bent on consuming the world’s life force, leaving only Silence. They manipulate “Purgatories” to harness powers that devastate their foes.
In Songs of Silence, kingdom management is not just about constructing buildings and upgrading units—it's about forging a strategic path that matches your faction’s strengths. The game features over 120 unique units to build powerful armies and allows players to manage resources like gold, divine interventions, and building materials to sustain their armies and rebuild their lands.
“Stake your claim in a world where every decision impacts your kingdom’s survival. From dense forests perfect for ambush to towering strongholds ripe for siege, every map offers new opportunities and challenges.”
Players can capture and upgrade cities, establish supply chains, and recruit new units. Every town has specific bonuses that make it easier or harder to defend, giving players tactical advantages on the battlefield.
Unlike traditional deck-builders, Songs of Silence introduces a unique system where cards are earned as heroes level up and used at key moments in battle. Each card provides a powerful ability, from summoning mighty creatures to launching devastating attacks. Each card is its own tool in your strategic arsenal.
Players must optimize army formations and utilize their cards wisely, as devastating maneuvers make every clash dynamic and unpredictable, adding layers of strategy to each encounter.
“Each card in Songs of Silence is a tool in your strategic arsenal. This fresh take on cards allows you to turn the tide of battle or tip the balance of power in an instant.”
Stunning Art Nouveau Visuals and Soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto
What truly sets Songs of Silence apart is its commitment to visual storytelling. Inspired by the Art Nouveau movement, the game’s visuals are bright, bold, and beautifully detailed, giving players an enchanting landscape to explore. The style is reminiscent of stained-glass art, adding a distinct atmosphere that’s both immersive and refreshing.
The game’s visuals are complemented by a soundtrack from the legendary Hitoshi Sakimoto, the composer behind Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre Reborn. His music brings a cinematic quality to the game, making each campaign feel like an epic journey. Combined with voice-acted dialogue, Songs of Silence delivers an audio-visual experience that transports players into its world.
“Whether you’re caught in the heat of battle or wandering through serene landscapes, you’re in for an audio-visual treat. It's probably the most gorgeous strategy game I've ever played.”
I prefer a rich, story-driven single-player campaign, and after playing the Steam Next Fest demo, I wishlisted this one straight-away after playing.
Songs of Silence caters to both single-player and multiplayer fans with its varied game modes. The game’s story-driven single-player campaign is rich with lore and challenges, while multiplayer options allow players to battle friends or co-op against AI. The game also features a skirmish mode where players can test their skills in fast-paced, real-time battles where every decision matters.
The campaign tells a story of survival, conflict, and unlikely alliances. As the leader of a faction, players must navigate a world beset by Silence, managing resources and commanding armies to fight against ancient foes. Each mission introduces unique objectives, from conquering cities to stealth missions, giving players a sense of progression and a connection to the game’s lore.
Multiplayer in Songs of Silence allows up to six players to join forces or face off in competitive battles. The skirmish mode is perfect for those who want to dive straight into the action without the commitment of a full campaign. Both modes offer endless replayability, with randomly generated maps and customizable settings.
“With co-op and competitive modes, Songs of Silence offers endless playtime for strategy fans. Whether you’re battling friends or AI, the game’s multiplayer ensures there’s always a new challenge around the corner.”
Currently in Early Access, Songs of Silence is undergoing active development with feedback from the community shaping its final version. The 1.0 release date is projected for Autumn 2024, with plans to refine features, add content, and improve game balance. The developers for Songs of Silence will offer an exciting roadmap that includes doubling the number of campaign maps, adding new multiplayer options, and making quality-of-life adjustments based on player input.
“This is Chimera Entertainment’s most ambitious title, and fan feedback is essential in shaping it. The full version will feature eight campaign maps, additional multiplayer modes, and refinements across all areas based on community input.”
For those eager to dive in, you can buy Songs of Silence now in Early Access and be part of its development journey.
Songs of Silence offers an exciting fantasy world with lots of interesting facets to explore. With its innovative mechanics and art direction, Songs of Silence is probably the most gorgeous and dynamic strategy game I've ever played. The combination of kingdom building, real-time battles, and a story-rich single-player campaign makes it a standout title in the 4X genre.
“Silence is the next-generation strategy game that will offer an exciting blend of storytelling and gameplay.”
So, if you’re ready to explore a world torn by war, rebuild shattered kingdoms, and stake your claim in a battle against Silence, Songs of Silence awaits. Whether you’re in it for the story, the strategy, or the stunning art, this is a game that deserves a spot in your library.
