Deal | Back at lowest price on Steam: “RPG masterpiece” told from the villains’ perspective offers more choice than The Witcher 3 – now just $7.50
Tyranny is set in the fantasy world of Terratus, where evil has already triumphed and most of the land lies under the control of the powerful overlord Kyros. To quell a rebellion, Kyros dispatches two armies and places players in the role of a Fatebinder, tasked with enforcing his rule and mediating between the two factions, a responsibility that soon proves vital. The disciplined elite of the “Reviled” and the fierce, chaotic warriors of the “Scarlet Order” couldn’t be more different, and tensions frequently erupt between them.
This is where Tyranny’s standout feature truly shines: its exceptional freedom of choice. As a Fatebinder, you are far from a mere pawn; you actively shape the balance of power. Whether you choose to mediate diplomatically between rival factions, side decisively with one, or manipulate both to your advantage, your decisions directly influence the story. Some consequences are immediate, while others surface much later, adding depth and replayability. German gaming magazine GameStar highlighted this dynamic in its review, even stating that Tyranny offers more freedom of choice than The Witcher 3. The game’s unusual perspective also drew praise. Instead of the classic hero’s journey, you play from the side of the “bad guys” – a morally complex yet refreshingly different approach.
Tyranny is played from an isometric perspective and features a combat system that emphasizes strategy. Instead of choosing from predefined classes, players build their character through a flexible skill system. The game’s greatest focus, however, lies on dialogue, a point that drew both praise and criticism from GameStar. The writing is sharp and engaging, but the sheer volume of text can overwhelm players who prefer a more action-oriented experience. Voice acting is limited to a few key scenes, making reading a major part of the gameplay. GameStar also pointed out some shortcomings, including a relatively small and static world as well as a clunky start. New players are quickly confronted with numerous unfamiliar factions and complex decisions, which can feel overwhelming early on.
In GameStar’s review, Tyranny earned a strong score of 88 out of 100. On Steam, the RPG has nearly 13,000 reviews, with 86% being positive. The reception on Metacritic is similarly favorable, with a Metascore of 80 and a User Score of 8.0. The game is marked as "Playable" on the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for $453).
75% discount on Steam
Tyranny was developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind titles like Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas. It was released in November 2016 in partnership with Paradox Interactive. Normally priced at around $30 on Steam, the game is currently available for just $7.50 thanks to a 75% discount. According to SteamDB, this is the lowest price to date, though similar discounts have appeared more often in recent months, suggesting another deal isn’t far off. The current offer runs until September 22.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
Source(s)
