Review: Tyranny – Bastard’s Wound

Title:Â Tyranny – Bastards Wound
Platform:Â PC (reviewed)
Developer:Â Obsidion Entertainment
Publisher:Â Paradox Interactive
Release date:Â 7th September 2017
Tl;Dr: The only thing better than Tyranny, is a bit more Tyranny. But just a little bit more.
Price: Â£11/$18
Family Focus: Click here for more information.

I make no secret that I really do enjoy Obsidian’s style of RPG. Their previous offer, Pillars Of Eternity kept me going for hours on end, and I still remember my time with it fondly. So, as always, I was delighted to find out I would be reviewing the new DLC to the latest in the legacy of Obsidian Entertainment. Tyranny was a bundle of fun; the world was phenomenally built and the concept of a game that takes place after the villains had already won drew me in instantly. I was champing at the bit for any excuse to return to the land I had Â explored and come to love, even if it was for just a moment. I only didn’t expect that moment to be so short.

If it looks like Blight and attacks you like Blight… well, it probably is Blight!

The DLC takes placed in the aptly named Bastards Wound, an area where refugees from the war-torn mainland have escaped and built a haven in secret. The area itself is mentioned more than once in game lore, so I was really excited exactly to seeÂ what the Oldwalls would have to offer. For a place so rich with lore, I did expect a little more than just a village with a few quests, but I was not complaining! It was great entering a whole new world full of new characters to meet and new quests to finish, especially one that centres around (or above, if you ask the locals), The Oldwalls.

My Tank Mayaldei sided with the Disfavored in the first act, which I am very glad to say did impact the story of Bastards Wound (I will not go into it to save spoiling). But the problem I did find, however, was that many of the choices I made in the second act of the base game were either not mentioned, or completely forgotten. Dead characters that would have most definitely affected the lives of those in The Oldwalls were referred to as if they were alive and kicking; it did perplex me quite a bit.

It almost seems like the whole story of Bastards Wound is meant to be played during Act 2 instead of right at the end of the game. After finding out that a few companion quests contained within the DLC are unavailable unless this is played during Act 2 (Verse’s and Barik’s, in case you wanted to know) I decided to load up an old save from the very beginning of the second act. It made Bastards Wound a great deal more acceptable in terms of story, and also allowed me to get those wonderful companion quests. This isn’t a deal breaker for me, as it wasn’t too difficult at all to just pick up an old save and play from there, but I cam imagine some players may be put off if the only save they have is their endgame one.

All in all, however, Bastards Wound is an enjoyable enough experience. It serves as a most welcome return to a game already close to my heart and the companion quests are some of my favourite in the game. However it is only a very short return that, in all honesty ,could have easily been part of the main game instead of being a paid expansion to it. In a game that took me over one hundred hours to finish the story, I did honestly feel a little let down when Bastards Wound came to its conclusion in just over six. A satisfying continuation of the main story it may not be, but that doesn’t necessarily make this expansion wholly bad.

The Good

A nice little addition to the Tyranny universe.

My choices were remembered!

I still get to literally explode people.

The Bad

Far far far far too short!

If you didn’t really like Tyranny then this isn’t for you

Not as good as the base game

Family Focus – Tyranny – Bastard’s Wound

Tyranny is rated PEGI 16+/ESRB Rating M for Mature for blood, sexual themes, strong language, and violence. With strong violence and language from the outset this isn’t the most kid friendly game.