Peaky Blinders: Mastermind, the game dedicated to the Netflix series of the same name will soon be available on PC and consoles, and this is our review
Peaky Blinders Mastermind, the game based on the stories of the Shelby family, will be officially released on August 20, 2020 for PC and consoles. We at techigames, after having tried it thoroughly in preview, are here with our review. Are you ready to take on the role of Tommy shelby and family to conquer Birmingham?
By order of the f ***** i Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind as already mentioned, is the game dedicated (precisely) to Peaky Blinders, Netflix's flagship show that certainly needs no introduction. Mastermind tells of the events preceding the first season of the tv series. This choice relieves the responsibility of a game too tied to the events of the series, while maintaining the setting of the old Birmingham of the '10s. The game begins with the return to the city of Tommy shelby and its, and users will see themselves committed to favor the rise of our protagonist for dominion over the city. Will the latter really be worthy to lead the band and become the true "mastermind" of the Peaky Blinders?
An Unexpected Puzzle Game - Peaky Blinders: Mastermind Review
First, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind was developed by FuturLab and distributed by Curve Digital. The game includes in total 10 levels of increasing difficulty, which will engage the players more or less according to their abilities logical and organizational. The game, in fact, is a naked and raw puzzle game enriched with some decidedly innovative mechanics, which will put the strategic skills of the users to the test.
Approaching Peaky Blinders, it is immediately clear that the "Mastermind" referred to in the title it is the user himself, who through Tommy will have to coordinate the activities of the Shelby family. As already mentioned, the game is presented as an isometric puzzle game oriented to engage the players with logic and puzzle games based mainly on the use of "time". In the game we will mainly play the role of Tommy; however, it is possible to skip from one character to another to overcome the puzzles in question, thanks to the unique abilities of the various family members.
The Time Component - Peaky Blinders Review: Mastermind
As already mentioned, the game has some peculiarities (actually quite interesting) aimed at solving the puzzles. First of all, the time management of the game. The main purpose in Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is to solve the 10 levels that make up the game in the shortest possible time. Based on the time taken, you will get medals (gold, silver or bronze) that make up the total reward system in the game. To complete the missions in the shortest possible time, therefore, it will be necessary to weigh every move and to plan to the thousandth the interactions between the various characters.
The key gameplay component to achieve the goal is the time timeline. This timeline will take note of the various activities carried out in the course of the level. This timeline can be rewound or dissolved at will and is the only real "condition" to proceed in the game. The activities of the different characters are written, one at a time, on the timeline in question. This means that if playing with Tommy we need to open an inaccessible door, we will have to sneak in with Finn, keep the door open, go back in time on the timeline and walk through the door with Tommy before it closes behind us.
Describing this mechanic in words can be slightly confusing, but we assure you that in-game this mechanism is handled really well. This, paired with the quick switch between characters, dictates the pace of the game and constitutes 90% of the experience, placing Mastermind as a puzzle game. really fun and well thought out.
The Family - Peaky Blinders Review: Mastermind
As already mentioned, the other main component of the game, in addition to the management of the timeline, is the rapid switch between the characters. Although the adventure is mainly based on the events of Tommy, just like in the TV series our protagonist will be engaged in "manipulate" the remaining family members to reach the goal. The game can be summarized in reaching a point B, starting from a point A, overcoming obstacles. To overcome the obstacles in question you will have to rely on the skills of Ada, Arthur, Finn and the other members by the Peaky Blinders.
If Tommy goes unnoticed, we'll have to distract the guards with Ada's skills. If a hole is too narrow for the adults of the game, we will have to use Finn's slim size (still a child here) to reach the point in question, and so on. This, combined with the timeline, will be the main weapon available to players, who will have to work hard to get to the end of the proposed levels..
The whole is surrounded by an isometric view simple but functional, with a useful camera shift function, geared towards level analysis and strategic move planning. Although the technical sector is not phenomenal, both Birmingham and the characters are rendered quite well. The selection of the ost fully captures the British-gangster mood of the series. The artwork, last but not least, would make one great beautiful figure also as desktop wallpapers. The only flaw is the dialogues, overlay only and not dubbed.
Conclusions
Summing up, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind presents itself as a puzzle game without big pretensions, which makes its strengths the fact that it is based on a very successful TV series and mechanics already seen but well revisited. The timeline + switch mechanics of the characters seem to work really well especially inserted in a game that is not very long-lived, therefore free from the risk of boring or to be unnecessarily complicated. The technical sector could be better as well as the meager reward system, but all in all we are satisfied with the artwork and the good choice of music. Finally, the freedom of action granted by the chamber allows you to plan every single move and save valuable time.
Peaky Blinders Mastermind will be available from 20 August 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch at the price of 19,99. Not quite what we expected, but the price of the game may be worth the candle for fans of the series and puzzle games alike.
This, friends, was our Peaky Blinders Mastermind review! We are curious about your thoughts on the game, so please feel free to comment with yours. In the meantime, stay connected on techigames for numerous other reviews, previews, guides and more from the world of video games. Bye!
7.5 A strange way of dressing as TommyPoints in favor
- Based on the tv series
- Well thought out puzzles
- Good choice of characters
- Good and interesting mechanics
Points against
- Technical sector not excellent
- Little longevity
- Lean reward system
- Slightly poor cutscenes
