Salt and Sacrifice

Salt and Sacrifice may not be the best Metroidvania ever made, but as a 2D distillation of the Soulslike formula, this is pure gaming alchemy.

72%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, replayability

70% User Score Based on 878 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 30 reviews

Platforms

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About

Salt and Sacrifice is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Devoured Studios and was released on November 6, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Salt and Sacrifice" is a 2D action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. As a marked inquisitor, you hunt mages who have escaped from prison. Engage in fast-paced combat with various weapons, armors, and abilities while exploring a vast interconnected world. Fight bosses, join online cooperative multiplayer, or invade other players' games.

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70%

Audience ScoreBased on 878 reviews

gameplay66 positive mentions

grinding104 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of Monster Hunter and Soulslike mechanics, providing a fresh experience.
The art style and graphics are visually appealing, maintaining the charm of the previous game.
Co-op gameplay is seamless and enjoyable, allowing for a fun multiplayer experience.

The mage hunting mechanic can become tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.
Combat can feel unresponsive at times, with issues like juggling and knockback making encounters frustrating.
The game lacks an interconnected world map, making navigation confusing and less rewarding.

gameplay
258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
64%
10%
The gameplay of "Salt and Sacrifice" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a shift from the metroidvania style of its predecessor to a more monster hunter-like experience. While some appreciate the refined combat mechanics and the engaging core loop of hunting mages, others criticize the repetitive nature of the chase mechanics, lack of depth in gameplay features, and poor level design. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of ideas but struggles with execution, leading to a divided player response.
- “The gameplay is smooth as butter.”
- “Hunting mages with specific equipment in mind and fine-tuning the skill tree based on said equipment is a gameplay loop that kept me entertained for hours on end.”
- “The core gameplay of hunting down roaming mages as they rampage through the maps while exploring massive areas that only grow larger the more travel options you obtain doesn't seem to get old.”
- “All the mechanics are 1-inch deep; all you see in the first 10 minutes of the game is basically all that's there.”
- “The main gameplay loop of chasing down said bosses as they teleport around the level is just a huge chore.”
- “The exploration is boring, the combat is bad, and the unique mechanics detract from the game instead of complementing it.”
story
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The story in "Salt and Sacrifice" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels rushed and poorly developed, particularly as most narrative elements are crammed into the final area and delivered through exposition-heavy NPCs. While some appreciate the overarching theme of sacrifice and the intriguing lore, others criticize the repetitive nature of the mage-hunting quests, which detracts from immersion and emotional investment in the world. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a step down from its predecessor, "Salt and Sanctuary," lacking the depth and organic exploration that characterized the earlier game.
- “For the story, the game has captivating lore and really surprised me with the direction they took the narrative.”
- “The story is reminiscent of normal 'soulslike' storytelling, in mysterious subject matter with lots of vague terms and uncovering stuff as you go, but I quite enjoyed it.”
- “But flaws aside, it's just a really great game, with really great online features, and with a really great story.”
- “Almost the entire story is hastily crammed into the last area of the game, and told to you by a few nameless NPCs.”
- “There's no depth to the story - you just go around chasing after mages.”
- “The setting is quite cool, but it's lacking the mystery of a lot of soulslike games because its story is so front-loaded.”
grinding
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the mage-hunting system tedious and monotonous, often leading to frustration due to the lack of a map and the repetitive nature of farming for materials. While some players enjoy the grind and appreciate the new mechanics and items, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making progression feel like a slog. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which can be both a draw and a drawback depending on individual player preferences.
- “This game is a tedious, trial and error grindfest that makes playing it extremely unenjoyable.”
- “Mage hunts are still as tedious as ever, they never feel fun to do, and the game forces you to do them to progress the game.”
- “It's a slog, with how capacity upgrades in the skill tree only increase your weight by one point, which isn't nearly enough to actually wear anything worthwhile without spending hours grinding out one stat.”
graphics
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the iconic ska studio art style and improved animations compared to its predecessor, Salt and Sanctuary. While some players appreciate the vibrant colors and detailed environments, others find the visuals somewhat bland and repetitive, lacking the memorable aesthetics of the original. Overall, the graphical presentation is seen as a clear upgrade, though opinions vary on its artistic direction and impact on gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are nicely detailed and made in the scratchy ska style that we are all familiar with.”
- “I like the iconic ska studio art style, and the animation is way smoother than Salt and Sanctuary.”
- “The graphics are a clear upgrade to Salt & Sanctuary, the animations are good, you can pet the animals in camp.”
- “Sucky core gameplay loop of grinding mage chases for equipment, multiplayer that's barely kicking, overnerfed parry mechanics, somewhat bland visuals that are only stylish for the first half an hour or so, equipment system that's heavily inspired by Monster Hunter but ultimately fails to deliver due to the lack of unique feeling to the weapons; the game itself basically has an identity crisis.”
- “Visuals are bland and uninspired in comparison to the original game, feeling way more repetitive and copy-pasted too.”
- “On the more artistic side of things, personally I feel the art style is a complete downgrade from the more dark and unpleasant style of Sanctuary, and the music for this game feels far less inspired than that of Sanctuary's too, with no real standout tracks which is a massive shame.”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
59%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and others criticizing its repetitiveness and lack of standout tracks compared to its predecessor, Salt and Sanctuary. While some users enjoyed specific themes and noted the soundtrack's overall quality, many felt it was minimalist and lacking in variety, particularly in boss themes. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a step down from previous titles, with a few highlights but a general sense of disappointment regarding its depth and creativity.
- “I love the music!!”
- “The music is fantastic and really lends itself to establishing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Loved the music; I was surprised to hear that Mr. Silva didn't score it; Maclaine Diemer did a pretty good job of doing his own thing but keeping enough of that Ska Studios sound in there that I wasn't sure at first.”
- “Music is practically nonexistent; mages have one shared track which the final boss also uses. Other bosses also have one shared track, most of the time you spend your time in awkward silence or very faint ambiance.”
- “60 hours for 99% of everything, amazing game, better than the original except in the soundtrack.”
- “They all have the same OST, making it repetitive too.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its strong soundtrack and art style, contributing to an immersive experience. However, many reviewers note a decline in the oppressive atmosphere and unique boss encounters compared to its predecessor, "Salt and Sanctuary," leading to a more generic feel in exploration and enemy design. Overall, while the atmosphere remains a highlight, it is seen as less impactful than in the first game.
- “I absolutely love Salt and Sanctuary; it handled that translation of Dark Souls into 2D really well, had satisfying progression, thick atmosphere, and interesting lore.”
- “The music is fantastic and really lends itself to establishing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Salt and Sanctuary was a game that I personally wasn't that big of a fan of; clunky platforming and questionable design choices hindered my enjoyment of the game. However, despite these shortcomings, I still really liked the art style, atmosphere, and the bosses.”
- “Don't expect the atmosphere and exploration from Salt and Sanctuary. It's more like a Monster Hunter game where you have different zones (not connected to each other) and you have to kill a boss to farm materials for better armor and weapons or upgrade materials.”
- “First game's atmosphere, bosses, and enemies (that are balanced and don't jumpscare you) are just better, and that makes Sanctuary a better game than Sacrifice.”
- “Salt and Sanctuary was a game that I personally wasn't that big of a fan of; clunky platforming, lack of map, and questionable design choices hindered my enjoyment of the game. However, despite these shortcomings, I still really liked the art style, atmosphere, and the bosses.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game offers significant replayability through its diverse skill tree, various weapon types, and engaging hunt mechanics, allowing players to experiment with different builds and face multiple bosses simultaneously. Exploration is highly rewarded, enhancing the overall experience even without a new game plus mode.
- “Boss fights are more or less on the same level; however, the hunt mechanics and the fact that you may face several bosses at once brought a lot of fun and replayability even without new game plus that is also presented in this game.”
- “The skill tree and different weapon types give a lot of replayability.”
- “As if the allure of trying out a new build with new weapons wasn't enough of a reason, this gives the game plenty of replayability and shows how much the game rewards exploration.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the chaotic and often hilarious mage fights, where multiple mages and their minions clash, creating absurd and entertaining scenarios. Players enjoy the unpredictability of these encounters, which can lead to both frustrating and comically epic moments, making the experience feel reminiscent of "Salt and Sanctuary" but with a humorous twist. Overall, the chaotic nature of mage battles adds a lighthearted and amusing element to the gameplay.
- “Mage fights are more chaotic and can be hilarious, especially when two or three mages appear on the same platform and their minions fight each other.”
- “Like Salt and Sanctuary but with funny magic.”
- “I honestly really like hunting mages for sport, and all the chaos that ensues around the map with multiple mages and regular mobs going at each other is often funny, even if annoying at times. It sometimes leads to absolute badass moments when you kill two or three mages in a single hunt while others try to wreck your progress.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Character development in the game is praised for its straightforward and accessible skill tree, making it easy for newcomers to engage with. The overall character design and aesthetic are also well-received, contributing to a balanced gameplay experience.
- “The character design and general aesthetic of the game is well done, the gameplay is decent, and the overall progression seems to be well balanced.”
- “The character design and general aesthetic of the game is well done, the gameplay is decent and the overall progression seems to be well balanced.”
- “Skill tree and character development are straightforward and easy for any newcomer to get a handle on.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The stability of the game has been criticized due to frequent bugs and glitches, which have negatively impacted the overall user experience.
- “The game is plagued by bugs and glitches that ruin the experience.”
- “Frequent bugs and glitches make it hard to enjoy the game.”
- “The stability issues, including constant bugs and glitches, are incredibly frustrating.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the emotional engagement in "Sacrifice" is lacking compared to "Sanctuary," with the latter providing a more immersive and memorable experience. The quest-driven nature of "Sanctuary" fosters a deeper emotional investment, while "Sacrifice" is perceived as more of a repetitive task-oriented game, leading to a diminished connection with its world and characters.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The optimization of the game has received outstanding praise, with multiple users rating it a perfect 10/10 for performance. This indicates a highly efficient and smooth gaming experience.
- “The performance is outstanding - 10/10.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, making the gameplay smooth and enjoyable.”
- “I am impressed with how well the game runs; the optimization is truly excellent.”