Peaky Blinders – Mastermind Review (Nintendo Switch)

Game: Peaky Blinders : Mastermind
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (Also available on PS4, XboxOne and PC)
Developer | Publisher: FuturLab | Curve Digital
Price: UK £19.99 |USA $24.99 |EU € 24,99
Age: EU 16+| US M
Release Date: August 20th 2020

Review code used with many thanks to Renaissance PR

By Order of the Peaky Blinders

Finding out a Peaky Blinders game was in development was somewhat of a double edged sword. Would a developer be able to do this wildly popular TV series justice? Or would they be unable to stand under the weight of such lofty expectations. Well, I can confidently say FuturLab has certainly managed to stand up, however it remains to be seen how well their new title will weather those expectations over time.

From the inspired soundtrack to the consistently dreary colour palette, FuturLab’s new title does a lot right in conjuring the atmosphere of the hit TV series of the same name. What I am still not totally convinced by is the genre chosen in which to plonk this wildly popular series and this will be discussed later in my review.

One of the Family

Mastermind puts the player in control of series favourite Tommy Shelby as well as a range of other cast members plucked from the show. Each character offers the player different skills that can be used to progress across the range of scenarios that unfold. These skills include Ada being able to distract guards and Finn who can use his small size to crawl through holes and fences.

Without spoiling more for new players all I will say is that the repertoire of skills opens up considerably as more members of the gang become available. Each character is lovingly represented using hand drawn cut scenes. Interactions are all text based and although the writing does well to catch the essence of each character, it is a shame the original actors couldn’t have reprised their roles here.

Welcome to Birmingham

As mentioned, the art style and colour choices serve to present the world of Peaky Blinders remarkably well. The top down isometric camera angle used throughout gameplay offers players a unique view of the world and the dark and often bleak side of 1920s Birmingham. Mastermind takes place just before series one of the show and so allows the developers a little more freedom in thinking up some narrative hooks for the player without stepping on the toes of past storylines. Whilst the world building on offer here isn’t anywhere near that seen in other titles, it is sufficient enough that fans would feel perfectly at home. Over the course of 10 levels players will take in a range of locations albeit with most of these feel remarkably similar. What does help break up this location based monotony are the various puzzles that are weaved throughout the scenarios on offer.

Riddle Me This

The main game of Mastermind unfolds as follows. Each level opens with a cut scene explaining an event in the Peaky Blinder’s world. For example a stolen van of alcohol. The cast of characters decide who should take care of the situation and send them on their merry way. The player then controls these characters within the game world. Wandering around until they find a locked door, a hole in a wall, a guard for distracting and so on. Each character can then use their special skill to move past the barrier in question and usually allow the other characters to do so as well. Rinse and repeat.

There are pocket watches to collect and a three tier – bronze, silver and gold – level completion system. The timer ticking down allocates your award rating and does offer the player some decent replay value. Using a unique take on time manipulation allows the player to pause, rewind and fast forward the events of each level in order to complete each puzzle. Whilst this may sound mildly confusing it soon becomes second nature and really does make the player thing logically about how to progress each mission.

The only issue I have at this point is… that’s it. The entire game in a nutshell. However it should be noted that Mastermind is retailing for £19.99 in the UK e-shop and so as such I feel the developers have chosen a respectable price point. Mastermind is not claiming to be a AAA title and the price reflects this. For fans of the show it is a fun fan service built world to wander around, for non-fans it is a decent puzzle game in its own right. I do not think many could complain with the content on offer here for the price being asked, and hopefully future DLC may add more levels/ seasons in the future.

Intelligence is a Valuable Thing

Developer FuturLabs has been quoted often about their choice to use the puzzle genre for the Peaky Blinders foray into the gaming world. Many soundbite worthy quotes about it being linked to Tommy Shelby’s mind and the way in which he can see the perfect plan unfold do make sense.

However I can’t help but feel that with a bigger budget, this puzzle based element would have merely been one part of a much larger game world. Perhaps more in the vein of Mafia 3 with the added time manipulation on offer here in Mastermind. However, I should point out that FuturLab has done a good job with the limited resources on hand, it is just a shame we couldn’t have played around inside the Peaky Blinder world with a little more depth.

Final Verdict: I like it Ladiesgamers.com

One comment

  1. Thanks for the review, Sean – another excellently written piece that does a good job of depicting the game without giving it away. Being a huge fan of the Peaky Blinders series, this is on my “definitely buy” list!

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