Salt and Sanctuary

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 13,233 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Salt and Sanctuary Game Cover
Salt and Sanctuary is an amazing game that is well paced and has layers of gameplay that slowly unfold the more you play. This game is recommended even if you are shy of the difficulty of the Souls series and is throughly rewarding.
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In Salt and Sanctuary, you play as a shipwrecked sailor on a mysterious, cursed island. Explore treacherous landscapes, discover over 600 weapons and armor pieces, and engage in challenging 2D combat with grotesque enemies. The game features rich RPG mechanics and a dark, atmospheric world to immerse yourself in. Prevail in an unforgiving environment, uncover its many secrets, and rise to become a powerful force in this award-winning title.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Epic Games
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 13,233 reviews
gameplay757 positive mentions
grinding280 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,588 mentions

    The gameplay of *Salt and Sanctuary* is a blend of challenging souls-like mechanics and metroidvania elements, offering a variety of combat styles, character builds, and exploration opportunities. While many players appreciate the tight controls and satisfying combat, some criticize the platforming mechanics and the lack of clear explanations for certain game systems, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and replayability, though it can feel unbalanced and derivative of its inspirations.

    • “Gameplay wise, I have finished the game two times; the second time I used the in-game randomizer, and it is a fun way to replay the game after the first initial playthrough.”
    • “The depth and complexity of the systems, the fun/challenge of the gameplay, and the fantastic art/story design are just fantastic.”
    • “The gameplay is very fluid and polished.”
    • “The bad part comes in the form of an exhaustion mechanic, which reduces your maximum stamina the more you fight - that's right, you are actively punished for fighting in a game that is focused on combat......”
    • “The gameplay is slow and boring.”
    • “The platforming mechanics will more often than not kill you, and if the platforming doesn't, an enemy will be sure to throw you to the depths of the area and kill you with fall damage.”
  • graphics1,591 mentions

    The graphics of "Salt and Sanctuary" evoke a distinct, hand-drawn art style that is both praised and criticized by players. While many appreciate its dark, atmospheric aesthetic and unique character designs, others find the visuals to be muddy or reminiscent of early flash games, leading to mixed feelings about visibility and overall appeal. Overall, the art style contributes significantly to the game's grim tone, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The art style creates a suitably grim tone, a lot of work went in and it shows.”
    • “The graphics have a certain charm to them, and the general design and art is very good to me!”
    • “The art style is amazing, the music and sound effects are top notch.”
    • “The art style is bland and miserable, not in terms of atmosphere, but in terms of being badly done.”
    • “This is perhaps one of the ugliest art styles I've ever seen in a video game; it's an eyesore.”
    • “The graphics are muddy and bland and the art style is ugly, the controls are sluggish, which is odd because everything just feels floaty.”
  • story1,179 mentions

    The story in "Salt and Sanctuary" is often described as minimal and cryptic, heavily relying on environmental storytelling and item descriptions, reminiscent of the Dark Souls series. While some players appreciate the depth and mystery of the lore, others find it convoluted and lacking in coherence, with many plot points feeling disjointed or underdeveloped. Overall, the narrative is seen as a secondary element to the gameplay, with varying opinions on its effectiveness and engagement.

    • “The story is dark and bleak without being edgy, and the game nails very well the feeling of decay.”
    • “The story does a good job creating a sense of mystery and of despair, and the eventual payoff and two endings are satisfying.”
    • “The story is intriguing and mysterious, and if you dig below the surface it is very good.”
    • “The story is pretty much non-existent; you are here for some reason, you want to kill things for no reason other than they are in your way. There aren't really any characters to write home about; I don't think they even have names anyway.”
    • “You never feel as though you're invested in the events of the story, or part of the world you are there to explore.”
    • “The story is hard to follow, but it's serviceable. The actual story that directly affects the player is rather minimal, though you can take time out to listen to some other characters' woes throughout the game.”
  • music1,004 mentions

    The music in "Salt and Sanctuary" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and how it complements the game's dark aesthetic. However, a common criticism is the limited variety of tracks, particularly during boss fights, where many share the same theme, leading to repetitiveness over time. While some tracks are noted as memorable, particularly the final boss theme, the overall consensus suggests that a broader soundtrack could have enhanced the gaming experience significantly.

    • “The music, atmosphere, and most impactful was the combat.”
    • “The music is haunting and evocative, perfectly complementing the game’s tone.”
    • “The score is also good; they make use of electric guitars to create tense but thrilling moods, while other songs are more imposing, and even the song that plays in the sanctuary, where you are safe, feels apprehensive and melancholic.”
    • “The lack of music tracks made the boss music really repetitive especially when you have to attempt every boss multiple times to beat them, hearing the same 2 tracks over and over again was a minus for me.”
    • “The music is a weak aspect of the game.”
    • “The only bad thing about exploration was the soundtrack with what felt like only 2 tracks, one for exploration and one for the boss fights for most of the game.”
  • atmosphere844 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its dark, oppressive, and immersive qualities, drawing strong comparisons to the Souls series. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound, music, and visual design to create a haunting and melancholic environment that enhances gameplay and exploration. While some critiques mention the art style as lacking in certain areas, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and depth.

    • “The atmosphere is very intense: music, sounds, responsive fighting system, color palette and locations fit very well.”
    • “The art style is amazing, and along with the music it creates a powerful atmosphere of mystery and darkness while you're playing.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and it always feels like there's something incredibly wrong going on on the island.”
    • “Salt and Sacrifice is a worthy follow-up but lacks the cool grim atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is heavy and enchanting at the same time.”
    • “The atmosphere of despair, blood, gore, torture - yay, just what I like!”
  • replayability391 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, driven by a wealth of character builds, diverse weapon options, and the inclusion of New Game Plus modes. Players appreciate the extensive skill tree and customization opportunities, which encourage multiple playthroughs and varied gameplay experiences. However, some note that certain aspects, like the pacing and limited new content in NG+, can slightly diminish the overall replay value.

    • “Now, combine all of this, and you have yourself a great and highly replayable game. If you already played it, try the enchanted mode, and if you already tried that, maybe try a different build or get all the achievements. The game has the perfect duration for repeated playthroughs.”
    • “The replay value is also through the roof with the amount of build and run variety.”
    • “This game has great mechanics and good replayability, definitely well worth your money and time.”
    • “This really limited the weapon and build variety, meaning the replayability suffered as well.”
    • “Now, it's reduced to a painfully and awkwardly slow game speed for no discernible reason, and its replayability suffers for it.”
    • “Replayability is fairly limited; there is no actual benefit to doing a new game+ unless you really want to 100% the game, but you can create a twink character and mess about with different play styles fairly easily.”
  • grinding286 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it minimal and manageable, while others describe it as tedious and excessive, particularly in the late game. Many players appreciate the opportunity to level up and improve their characters through grinding, but express frustration with the repetitive nature of backtracking and the clunky combat mechanics that can make encounters feel more tedious than challenging. Overall, while some enjoy the grind as a rewarding part of the gameplay loop, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially when combined with poorly designed boss fights and level navigation.

    • “Lots of platforming, but not too tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is incredibly grindy.”
    • “Like most games in the souls genre, SNS is hard at first, not bad once you 'get it,' and then a tedious slog in endgame when they just raise monster HP and damage super high.”
    • “Grinding and constant setbacks don't make for a fun game.”
  • stability93 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players reporting a generally polished experience free of major crashes or freezes, while others highlight numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in boss encounters and platforming sections. While some glitches are seen as fun and even beneficial for speedrunning, many players express frustration over hitbox issues and inconsistent controls. Overall, the game appears to have potential but suffers from a lack of quality control, leading to a frustrating experience for some users.

    • “No bugs, no glitches.”
    • “The PC port runs great and smooth as near as I can tell, and it's a damn sight more readable on a PC screen than a PS4 TV.”
    • “Movement is half broken; in addition to weird movement glitches, half the time I will roll to the right even while holding to the left.”
    • “I hate this game and all my 18 hours wasted in it. Buggy, unfair, poorly designed, and frustrating. There's a reason why FromSoftware didn't include the mechanics from DS1 and DS2 in DS3, like not being able to teleport from bonfire to bonfire and losing part of your health bar after death. This game adds those and even more, like traps that you can't really see, platforms that you only know how to get to or not through trial and error, and flying enemies being able to go through walls.”
    • “Extremely buggy... I died with 85k salt on me, and since the salt was bugged and not at the spot where I died, I died again.”
  • humor82 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying its quirky graphics, funny character designs, and amusing gameplay moments, such as unexpected deaths and humorous glitches. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to blend dark themes with lighthearted elements, creating a unique experience that pokes fun at the conventions of the souls-like genre. Overall, while the game may not be deeply complex, its comedic aspects provide a satisfying and entertaining experience for players.

    • “I get to commit acts of unspeakable violence while wearing a funny hat.”
    • “Even some humor exists, like you see the bottle with the message 'bro jump down, treasure below', you jumped but there is only abyss and death :D.”
    • “This game is like a mix of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Dark Souls; I especially love the way it pokes fun at Dark Souls; it's hilarious.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat; the jokes feel forced and often miss the mark.”
    • “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the attempts at humor just felt awkward and out of place.”
    • “The comedic elements are so overdone that they become annoying rather than funny.”
  • character development66 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by a complex skill tree system that offers a variety of options for players, reminiscent of systems found in titles like Dark Souls and Final Fantasy X. While the character designs have received mixed reviews—some finding them unattractive or out of place—many players appreciate the depth and customization available through the character progression mechanics. Overall, the character development is seen as a strong aspect of the game, despite initial visual concerns.

    • “It boasts a really huge, consistent, well-thought-out and nicely varied world to explore, very satisfying albeit somewhat difficult combat, a lot of character development options in terms of the weapons/skills you focus on, a great atmosphere, and it doesn't waste much time on tutorials and hand-holding before just setting you loose which I always appreciate.”
    • “A soulslike through and through, it has corpse runs, estus flasks, stamina/skill-based combat, rolling, etc. It differentiates itself with a skill-web based progression system that adds some simplicity, while having its own nuance, to character development.”
    • “It offers a lot in terms of character development (with the skill tree being a little overwhelming at first) and lore.”
    • “The character designs initially turned me off, but the game grew on me; the atmosphere is very good for a souls-like.”
    • “Everything about the game - the art style, character design, environments, music, plot - seems to be based around this concept of a fallen, broken place you're exploring, but instead it just all comes off as bland and uninspired.”
    • “Bottom line, the initial character designs are terrible, but you can find equipment that does look cool on your character.”
  • optimization46 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing severe stuttering and performance issues even on high-end systems, while others report smooth gameplay at lower settings. Many users noted sluggish controls and a poorly optimized UI, particularly for PC, which detracts from the overall experience. However, a subset of players found the game to run well on mid-level systems, indicating that performance may vary significantly based on hardware.

    • “The game itself is very pretty and well optimized, but the soundtrack in it is pretty trash.”
    • “I experienced no frame rate drops or any crashes, seems to be well optimized.”
    • “Runs pretty well so seems decently optimized.”
    • “The only downsides are: the game is poorly optimized (so can be laggy sometimes, also the UI is pretty slow) and there is no built-in way to pause the game.”
    • “There's severe stuttering problems even on obscenely overpowered, modern systems.”
    • “It was clear it was not optimized for PC; upon seeing that my mouse was moving sluggishly, I attempted to lower the graphical settings.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of frustration and triumph, particularly in challenging boss battles that evoke feelings of nostalgia and joy. The storytelling and concise dialogue contribute to a touching atmosphere, making the experience feel meaningful and heartfelt. Overall, the game resonates with players on an emotional level, creating a blend of intensity and satisfaction that leaves a lasting impact.

    • “I felt an emotional swing when I met the final boss of Dark Souls and that music starts playing.”
    • “If you enjoy that heart-wrenching feeling of dying to a boss, only to have your heart beating and joy rushing to you as you beat that piece of shit boss who has been troubling you.”
    • “Salt and Sanctuary is one of those rare gaming experiences that made me feel like a kid again.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization of the game is criticized as a blatant cash grab that attempts to capitalize on the Dark Souls hype, leading to a negative player experience. Despite this, some users appreciate that the game offers moments of pride and accomplishment without relying on microtransactions.

    • “The game provides moments of pride and accomplishment without relying on microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and does not hinder the overall experience.”
    • “A blatant cash grab trying to ride on a Dark Souls hype wave.”
    • “If I went out and bought $4.50 worth of tacks and glued them to my toilet seat, I would have a better experience than playing this garbage cash grab.”
    • “So I love Dark Souls a lot, heard about this game, thought it's just advertising as 'Dark Souls', turns out I was so wrong.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy Salt and Sanctuary

Play time

18hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
8-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 82 analyzed playthroughs

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