Miasma Chronicles bends apocalyptic glop to its will in turn-based combat, the work of the team behind Mutant: Year Zero, The Bearded Ladies: The Road to Eden, There are few awake pigs, but there is a lot of strategy.

The story takes place 140 years after the earthquake that eradicated most of modern civilization by a toxic goo called miasma. Elvis and Diggs are searching for their missing mother while the miasma that has swept across the United States continues to lay waste to what remains of humanity. While Elvis is a normal human, Diggs is a robotic "big brother."

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Elvis has the ability to manipulate destructive miasma, thanks to a glove his mother left him before she disappeared. She left a letter to Elvis asking him to investigate the events that triggered the apocalypse.

Elvis and Diggs travel throughout New America to rescue her and uncover what happened years ago. Indeed, while Miasma was a detriment to humanity, it also had wonderful consequences for the sinister First Family, which has risen to take advantage of the chaos. I'm not saying that I rolled up the credits for The Miasma Chronicles, but if I had to guess, I'd say that putting the myriad social, environmental, and economic problems of modern America in the hands of a billionaire didn't work out so well.

It's hard to top living here, but Unreal Engine 5 allows artists to immerse players in the decline of cities and suburbs and the ingenuity of survivors across the post-apocalyptic century. Indeed, the set pieces that The Bearded Ladies provide for their fans are strange and (mostly) memorable, and Miasma Chronicles draws on lessons learned from its predecessor, but with color outside the box.

Combat, on the other hand, is like any other turn-based strategy title, with players and enemies taking turns taking advantage of the tactical advantages afforded by elevation and cover. Super gloves or no super gloves, stealth is still encouraged, and certain character skills, such as mobile cover for allies, can rewind the odds in combat. Additionally, unique miasma abilities like miasma storms, which damage and confuse enemies, and weapon modifications are also unlocked.

Ultimately, this title is a natural extension and evolution of Mutant Year Zero, with a turn-based strategy structure, bacon for a winding story, lettuce for a gritty aesthetic, and more than a handful of optional tomatoes to personalize your play .