Sang-Froid – Tales of Werewolves [2023]

 Sang-Froid – Tales of Werewolves Introduction:

"Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves" is an action-packed video game developed by Artifice Studio, a Canadian company. This game combines elements of action, strategy, tower defense, and RPG. It gained popularity on Steam Greenlight and was officially approved on November 30, 2012. The game draws heavily from Canadian and Native American folklore, embracing the historical context of the 19th century.

Co-authored by the best-selling Canadian author Bryan Perro, the game weaves a captivating narrative involving iconic figures like the Devil, Werewolves, and Will o' the Wisps. It transports players to 19th century Canada, a realm filled with mythical creatures such as Windigos and Will-O'-the-Wisps. In this setting, two feuding brothers must unite to rescue their sister, who is pursued by the Devil himself.

Gameplay:

"Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves" is a unique twist on the tower defense genre. Players assume the role of one of the O'Carroll brothers, tasked with defending their forest against nightly assaults from werewolves and other legendary creatures summoned by the Devil. The game unfolds over three weeks in December, with each chapter encompassing a day and night cycle.

During the day, the gameplay resembles a standard tower defense experience. Players oversee the forest from a top-down perspective, strategically placing traps to safeguard buildings. These traps require Action Points (AP), and some also incur costs. Players earn additional AP for each building they defend. Crucially, players have access to an array of information to plan their strategy, including enemy types, pack sizes, paths, enemy health, trap effectiveness, and more. Furthermore, players can visit local villages to purchase items like new axes or muskets.

When night falls, players assume control of their chosen hero, navigating the forest from a third-person viewpoint. Nights consist of 1-6 waves, each with varying enemy numbers. Players wield an axe and a historically accurate muzzle-loaded musket. Interaction with specific traps is necessary, while others function automatically. Melee combat introduces a Fear Factor (FF) mechanic, representing the player's ability to intimidate enemies. As long as the enemies fear the player, they refrain from attacking. FF is displayed as a sliding bar on the HUD, providing a visual representation of the enemy's next move. Another crucial aspect of night gameplay is monitoring the wind to avoid detection by enemies. Players eventually acquire an item to manipulate the wind, aiding in luring enemies into traps.

Final Words:

As each wave is conquered, the next one begins, and this continues until the end of the night. Failure to protect a building during any wave results in a failed night. Players receive XP for wave completion and money in exchange for defeated enemies' pelts. Leveling up with XP grants skill points, which can be invested in an extensive skill tree to tailor the hero's abilities to their preferred playstyle.

"Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves" was officially released for PC on Steam on April 5, 2013. Upon release, it garnered positive reviews from video game publications. Critics praised its soundtrack, highlighting its Celtic influence with instruments like pipes and flutes, making it a unique and memorable aspect of the game.