Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Review (xxadonisxx)
From the creators of Shadow Tactics and Desperados III, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a triumphant send-off from Mimimi Games—a studio that has arguably mastered the modern real-time tactics genre. Blending stealth, supernatural abilities, and high-seas swashbuckling, Shadow Gambit is as mechanically tight as it is thematically bold. It’s not just a great tactics game—it’s one of the most inventive stealth experiences in recent years.
Set in an alternate-history Caribbean plagued by the Inquisition and infused with magical curses, you command a ghost ship called the Red Marley and its undead pirate crew. Each crew member has been resurrected by otherworldly powers, giving them not only second lives but supernatural abilities tailor-made for tactical stealth gameplay.
The plot is lighthearted but cleverly written, leaning into dark humor and pirate tropes without becoming gimmicky. Each crew member has a distinct personality, and their dialogue—especially the banter aboard the Marley—is genuinely entertaining. You’ll want to learn more about these cursed souls, not just for gameplay, but because they’re fun to be around.
Shadow Gambit plays much like its predecessors: it’s a real-time stealth tactics game with a strong emphasis on planning, positioning, and precise execution. But this time, magic is fully integrated into both gameplay and narrative.
Each crewmate has a unique set of powers that encourage creative solutions. For example:
-Afia can blink to enemies and freeze time for a moment, ideal for split-second kills.
-Suleidy grows bushes for cover or hides bodies in magical plants.
-Gaëlle uses a ghost cannon to shoot allies across the map or knock out enemies.
You choose which crew members to bring on each mission, opening the door for experimentation and replayability. The ability to save scum is now built into the story—thanks to your ship's time-warping powers, saving and rewinding time is not only allowed but encouraged. This removes frustration while still demanding skill and finesse.
The level design is phenomenal. Each island feels handcrafted, filled with patrols, guard patterns, and multiple paths to complete objectives. Whether you’re slipping through shadows, teleporting past guards, or staging synchronized takedowns, missions reward clever thinking over brute force.
Between missions, the Red Marley acts as your hub. You unlock more crewmates by recovering their skulls and reawakening them through side missions. There’s also a light RPG system—each character has a story arc and can gain new traits that tweak their playstyle.
The game encourages experimentation and exploration over grinding. Optional objectives, multiple approaches, and stylized assassination opportunities make each level worth revisiting.
Shadow Gambit isn’t a technical marvel, but it’s absolutely bursting with style. The stylized, vibrant art direction sells the supernatural Caribbean vibe beautifully. Characters are expressive, environments are lush and detailed, and spell effects give everything a satisfying flair.
The soundtrack is moody and atmospheric, shifting from eerie tension to swashbuckling charm. Voice acting is surprisingly strong across the board, with each crewmate bringing personality and humor to the table.
Final Thoughts
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a near-perfect blend of genre expertise and creative ambition. Mimimi Games takes everything they’ve learned from past titles and adds a layer of charm and thematic freshness that makes this their most accessible—and most playful—game yet.
It’s a fitting swan song for the studio and a must-play for fans of stealth, strategy, and smart game design.
Pros:
-Unique, well-balanced crew abilities
-Excellent level design and mission variety
-Seamless, story-integrated save/rewind mechanic
-High replayability with open-ended solutions
-Memorable characters and sharp writing
Cons:
-Occasional AI hiccups and pathfinding quirks
-Some missions feel overly long on higher difficulties
-No PvP or sandbox mode for casual experimentation
A magical, stealthy, and delightfully weird adventure, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is one of the best real-time tactics games in years—and a worthy final voyage from a studio that perfected the art of quiet, calculated chaos.
Rating: 8/10