Tyranny Review

For a company like Obsidion, Tyranny must feel like something of a homecoming. Founded by former Black Isle Studios employees, Obsidion set out to create something reminiscent of Planescape: Torment and the original Fallout. Released in 2016, Tyranny recreates the spirit of mid-’90s CRPGs almost to a tee. But, is nostalgia enough to make up for a seriously flawed execution?

Story

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. For centuries, the armies of the dark lord Kyros have marched across the world of Terratus, crushing all who oppose them. Only the disunited land of the Tiers remains unconquered, easy picking for the overlord’s horde. Typically, this is where the hero of the story steps in to unite the realms against the forces of darkness. Unfortunately for the Tiers, no one was available, and the kingdoms fall quickly into the Overlord’s grasp.

The player takes the role of one of the overlord’s Fatebinders — essentially evil empire human resources — sent to keep Kyros’ generals in line and make sure the campaign succeeds without incident. And that you do, in the final stage of character creation, where the player is presented with a map of the Tiers and decides how the early years of the invasion play out.

Invasion War Table

Most of the choices amount to making the best of a bad situation, something that goes on to be a recurring theme throughout the rest of the game, and the writing does an excellent job of showing why some might choose to support an evil but at least stable regime.