Sumerian Six Review: A World of Strategic Possibility

In the midst of World War 2, a mysterious energy source is unearthed that could reshape the global order. Sumerian Six takes us on a stealthy adventure through this history-meets-mythology setting. Developed by Artificer, this real-time tactics game casts us as members of a team racing to contain a dangerous discovery.

During the early 20th century, a British scientist named Alistair Sterling assembled a clever crew to research an intriguing material called Geiststoff. This substance, seemingly drawing power from ancient Sumerian legends, had potential for furthering scientific progress. But after an unfortunate mishap, the so-called Enigma Squad deemed it too unpredictable to toy with further.

Fast forward a few years to the rise of Nazi Germany. One of Sterling’s former colleagues, Hans Kammler, now promises Adolf Hitler control over this mysterious energy source. As head of the shadowy SS-Geistesstärke program, Kammler appears set to weaponize whatever secrets this “Ghost Power” holds.

Stealthily standing in his way is a reformed Enigma Squad, wielding special abilities as uniquely as their own colorful personalities. With history and mythology meshing against a backdrop of intrigues, it’s up to this crew to ensure Geiststoff doesn’t fuel a dark new chapter.

The Enigma Project

Within Sumerian Six’s alternate history tale lies an intriguing narrative setup. During World War 1, British scientist Alistair Sterling gathered a team of bright minds dedicated to researching a mysterious substance called Geiststoff. This group, dubbed the Enigma Squad, hoped harnessing the material’s strange energies could further science and aid post-war recovery.

Yet after an accident, the project was deemed too perilous. Geiststoff’s true nature remained elusive. Then years later, with the Nazis’ rise, former Squad member Hans Kammler promised Adolf Hitler control over its abilities. Now heading the shadowy SS-Geistesstärke, Kammler was determined to weaponize Geiststoff’s secrets.

This is where our new heroes come in. Reformed under Sterling, the Enigma Squad aims to thwart Kammler’s plans to fuel further horrors. Leading the cell is Sterling’s headstrong daughter Isabella, an archaeologist often undercover near the enemy. Adventurous son Sid aids her covert missions.

Their eclectic allies bring unique skills. Russian POW Wojtek can transform into a formidable werebear. Chemist Rosa develops ingenious concoctions from scattered field kits. Psychiatrist Siegfried turns invisible to spy, while mutated test subject Elena wields telekinetic might.

The squad must delve into Geiststoff’s murky past, piecing together clues from diverse locales like German hamlets or ancient ruins. All the while, Kammler’s schemes grow ever bolder, testing our heroes’ grit. By turning history and mythology upon the Nazis, Sumerian Six spins a gripping tale of derring-do and scientific intrigue, casting players as the wits who may rewrite the war’s course.

Coordinating the Enigma Squad

Sumerian Six puts you in control of a unique band of specialists. As members of the reformed Enigma Squad, each character brings singular skills to the table. From the shadows, it’s your job to direct this colorful crew.

Real-time tactics are the name of the game. Patrol routes must be traced and vision cones noted and navigated. Going unseen is paramount, as detection means scrapping a plan and reloading. Alerting foes summons reinforcements, ramping up difficulty on the fly. Your parry will have to work in tandem to overcome uneven odds through cunning coordination alone.

A squad size of 3-5 means relying on your recruits’ unique abilities. Rosa stuns with synaesthetic darts or sticks a delayed-action bomb to an unsuspecting grunt. Wojtek transforms to bear form and powerfully tears through troops. Sid deploys dazzling flashes or commandeers hosts as meat puppets. With the right moves queued up, your party can strike as a beautifully brutal unit.

Complex maps pose a range of challenges within levels’ non-linear zones. Secrets and puzzles abound for the diligent, best solved by kitting out heroes. Optional tombs and obstacles offer combat experience to spend on upgrading each character’s moveset.

With Shift, time slows. Now plan multi-part maneuvers via the Action Planner. Maybe Rosa blinds two guards for Sid and Isabella to swiftly eliminate in a choreographed duet of death. Complex strategies emerge organically from your squad’s diverse set of carefully crafted tools.

Difficulty increases deeper into the campaign as foes evolve. Soldiers trade banter, breaking stealth but cueing attacks. Special units demand combined assaults. Later levels layer in twists like reinforcements or objective shifts. Steep learning curves test patience as trial and error reveals the way forward. Taking it slow and saving often is advised.

Sumerian Six brings tactical brilliance to real-time through its handcrafted squad of extraordinary individuals. By blending abilities and outwitting patrols and commanders through canny coordination, victory can be found amid the shadows of its elaborate and ever-challenge scenarios. Creative cunning and team-focused gameplay make each discreet hit feel like a carefully choreographed crescendo.

Experiencing the Environments

Sumerian Six transports players to fully lived-in worlds that feel tangible to explore. From German hamlets to ancient ruins, each location oozes an atmosphere crafted by Artificer’s level designers.

Before missions, briefings set the stage through zooming overviews highlighting secrets and paths. You grasp a mission’s scale while plotting your approach. Then environments unfold with intricate detail everywhere eyes wander. Towns bustle with routines to puzzle out. Castles tower with twists around every pillar.

Objectives and puzzles lurk in plain sight, tucked into nooks begging discovery. Solving them opens new avenues or story clues. Scattered chests also tease, holding experience to evolve your squad. Secrets prove this stealth adventure rewards those prolonging each scene’s delights.

Varied backdrops impact stealth in welcoming ways. Villages place enemies amongst distractions, while castles funnel patrols through chokepoints. Underground bases confine but focus objectives. Levels shift settings fast too, preventing predictability.

Perhaps designs could offer broader sightlines or fewer invisible barriers. Yet their scope inspires experiments and emergent strategies from unexpected angles. Intricate stages stimulate creativity as much as their inhabitants’ eccentric talents.

In crafting worlds granting agency regardless of paths chosen, Artificer liberates problem-solving through play rather than punishment. Their handcrafted havens celebrate exploration as much as elimination, bringing stealth RPG bliss through vividly realized settings.

Experiencing the World of Sumerian Six

Artificer has crafted a visually striking world within Sumerian Six. Levels overflow with charming historical details, from cobblestone streets to dusty ruins. Textures show care, whether scaling castle walls or peering through thick jungle foliage.

Character designs feel tailor-made for stealth, distinct yet believable. Subtle animations keep them grounded despite supernatural abilities. Voice work brings each figure to life through witty dialogue during missions and briefing narrations alike. Accents feel authentic from German officers to the squad’s diverse members.

Sound similarly pulls you in. Lively jazz underscores exploration while maintaining an atmosphere of tension. Footsteps and abilities create an auditory tapestry informing of your squad and opponents’ locations. Yet volume can make discerning sources tricky at times.

Technically, the game holds up well and maintains a smooth frame rate across its handcrafted levels. Some minor bugs emerged for this player, such as visual cones persisting after enemies’ falls. Yet infrequent issues did not detract much from the overall polished product.

Menus feel snappy and navigating abilities intuitive, even if controller support remains absent. In-game tutorials introduce mechanics at a steady pace. Meanwhile, loading screens stay brief, keeping momentum flowing between missions.

Overall, the artist shows strong presentation skills. Visual and auditory flourishes lift Sumerian Six above many indies, while technical hiccups remain negligible. Quality production values aid in transporting players to the game’s diverse and mysterious world.

Finding Fun in Stealth’s Shadows

Sumerian Six weaves a compelling tale while giving stealth flexibility rather than rigidity. By diluting reliance on perfect stealth, more players can discover narrative delights and satisfying squad strategies.

Artificer makes bold world-building choices, blending history with myth. Resulting locales stimulate inventive problem-solving regardless of the of the paths chosen. Storytelling versatility also engages outside cutscenes through descriptive briefings.

Yet simplicity in some stealth systems proves a double-edged sword. More leniency lets creativity shine, but reduced challenge may not satisfy demanding tacticians. Bugs too took a bite from an otherwise polished package.

Overall, those embracing emergent approaches over perfection find many hours of strategic scheming and narrative strangeness. Less rigid stealth dynamics entertain experimenters while welcoming forgiveness of failure. Whereas veterans craving Sandbox stealth purity may grow frustrated by flexibility.

For creative problem solvers though, Sumerian Six presents a fine cooperative murder-puzzle adventure. Blending meticulous planning and superpowered hijinks, its unique cast and climates continue redefining what real-time tactics can offer.

The Enigma Squad’s Legacy

Through its alternate history of wartime intrigue, Sumerian Six casts players as members of an extraordinary team. Blending myth and reality, Artist spins an engaging narrative around the Enigma Squad’s mission to contain a mysterious energy source.

While the game unevenly balances its considerations for stealth purists and those favoring creative problem-solving, its handcrafted worlds and plot continually stimulate. Levels teem with environmental storytelling ripe for discovery. Distinct characters invite experimenting with unlikely yet harmonious combinations.

Even with some bugs and AI simplicities, the foundations remain for a uniquely entertaining experience. With polish and refinement, sequels could better satisfy both tacticians and those who prefer marinating in rich environments over rigid restrictions.

For now, those embracing emergent play over perfection will find much to appreciate. Whether cloaked in shadows or boldly combining supernatural talents, the Enigma Squad’s adventures make for a creative covert multiplayer murder mystery that celebrates strategic expression over rigidity. Fans of quirky worlds and cooperative puzzles will feel right at home.