Is Salt and Sacrifice a downgrade from Salt and Sanctuary? | REVIEW

[@PlayGames_PG]

If you'd like to watch my review of Salt and Sanctuary follow the link below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2rJq5uCbc-Kaqs

[@jiggly821]

what I wanted: salt and sanctuary 2 what I got: picking berries for hp pots

[@PlayGames_PG]

hahaha! Oh God, I honestly don't even know why I picked those berries! Shame what happened here, also, in a worrying development Salt and Sanctuary is getting a new update and some of the changes sound a bit like this, I hope they don't ruin that masterpiece! Thanks for watching.

[@odinetsthepale6581]

Was a huge disappointment. I love Salt and Sanctuary, but this game is nothing like it. Sadly, I don't think the devs are going to give us a proper sequel.

[@PlayGames_PG]

It is a shame as Salt and Sanctuary was such a stunning indie gem that had depth for days. Ska Studios have made some bangers over the years, Charlie Murder, Vampire Smile and Salt and Sanctuary, my fear is they have been joined/taken over by a more corporate entity leading to this drop off in inventiveness and quality. Cheers

[@MisterNoah]

Agreed. Been a SKA fan since Xbox Live Arcade days and loved Sanctuary. Hyped for this, I bought it day 1. Kept hoping to myself "it'll get good soon, I bet". Didn't even finish it. I respect them for trying something new, but it fell flat...such a shame.

[@turntapeover5749]

They literally tried to do too much. And I know James was listening to player suggestions....too much. One thing in particular was the fact we were supposed to get a stat spread a la Dark Souls but then the lore people whined because that meant no tree of skill lore....so he tacked on a tree of skill and you can tell its an after thought and weapons was designed based on stat requirements. So much so that they give you an ungodly amount of grey pearls to remove stats because they knew people would be wasting points but it was too late now to change it completely. So we got a tree of skill with half assed lore cuz it wasnt planned from the beginning, wpns with nonsensical requirements and a tree of skill you erased half the points you attributed to so what was the point. And thats just 1 example. I feel like the break up and split away of the "art unicorn" was incredibly damaging to Ska (or Devoured as they are called now) and she was probably the one reigning in James wild idea. Because thats the problem with this game. It tries to do too much alla at once and executes all of them incredibly poorly. I was actually more hyped for this than elden ring because I adored Salt and Sanctuary and boy was i incredibly disappointed. So much so it kinda soured the first game for me sadly because the sequel is an insult to its legacy.

[@cinnamonblade64]

This game is one of the absolute worst pieces of shit I've ever played. - Cant pause the game to go to the bathroom or do something else, that "everything has to be extra hard" fetichism - Mages who I've already killed coming respawning. I literally ripped their hearts out, but here they are again, summoning hordes of annoying enemies when all you want to do is kill the next boss - No respawn points after you defeat a boss, fought a hard battle? Low on life? Make your way back to where you came from. - HP bar recovery is extremely slow when using the Hearthen Flasks, takes up to two seconds. - 10 enemies on each platform to completely maul you, making you lose all your souls. I have played all other Soulslike and Castlevania games, I don't usually rage at games, but this one almost made me want to ram my head against the wall. Played Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sotn, Dracula's Curse, etc... They all feel like a massage and a walk in the park compared to this game.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think it is a massive downgrade on Salt and Sanctuary which is one of the best indies I've ever played. Such a shame.

[@Replica2901]

I was disappointed as soon as I started creating a character. In the first Salt game you can choose your origin with interesting and different world and in Sacrifice it's just "Wood, Mountain, Desert" etc 😅

[@PlayGames_PG]

I hear you, the whole game has a off feel as if it is trying to be more generic and mainstream, which is exactly the opposite reason their earlier work was popular.

[@andrejz8954]

@@PlayGames_PG an off*

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Damn shame, but appreciate you always speaking your honest thoughts for us the fans and consumer's but ALSO for the studio's themselves

[@PlayGames_PG]

Thanks Michael. It isn't a total disaster if you have a local co-op buddy but the repetitive nature damages what should have been a home run of a game, as a follow up to Salt and Sanctuary.

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@@PlayGames_PG Totally Understandable

[@maremotus1850]

it's just another whole game masking itself as the sequel of salt and sanctuary, i see that they were trying new things but it's just something that you'd not expect after playing salt and sanctuary, it could work if you look at it like a whole another game but being honest most of the people who wanted to play this game were thinking it was like the previous game, i don't think there is anything that could be done to make it feel like a salt and sanctuary game without remaking it whole

[@PlayGames_PG]

I agree with you, it should have had a completely different name/premise and then I think people wouldn't have minded as much. But as you say, it presents itself like it's a follow up when in actuality it isn't at all. I found it quite boring after a while, not like Sanctuary which managed to keep you coming back as you delved into the fascinating world. Again, this is an example of commerce over art, it feels like some money people had a play in it, like, use the successful brand but change it, shame.

[@maremotus1850]

@Photography Gamer exactly, the main reason i loved sanctuary was it's beautiful world and it felt like an actual journey and there was always something unique to the maps and it felt like it was so big thanks for it it being 2D and not being repetitive and each zone didn't trag too long so they always felt fresh and nice to explore even tho the map was pretty small, sacrifice tried to emerge monster hunter and souls like but they didn't flash it out well, it was just run around the whole map making it boring and repetitive

[@maremotus1850]

@Photography Gamer the maps of sacrifice weren't even impressive by what i saw but i didn't play the whole game so i don't know but they were always empty maps with the occasional long ranged enemy/meele one/bigger enemy with an average health pool

[@Dolguldur93]

they should have changed the name

[@luislaracuente]

I am still mourning the sad mess Salt and Sacrifice is. I was so excited when I heard it was releasing thinking I'll have a similar, amazing experience or even an improvement from Salt and Sanctuary. It was such a disappointment, I'm still salty.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I hear you, at first I wanted to like it but the more I played you can't help but feel sad for what we ended up with.

[@Terron29]

I actually only beat salt and sanctuary last week (I did play it a bit at release) I absolutely loved it. I got so hooked. I am half way through new game plus now. I actually prefer it to elden ring lol. Its feels much more like dark souls 1 with its loop around level design. Its lonely environment, Zero handholding or map. It was a joy.

[@PonderingSai]

Excellent review! It sums up exactly how I feel about Salt and Sanctuary, as after playing and loving the previous game this game almost felt like a slap in the face. I don't like Monster Hunter or games like it, so everything to do with the Mage Hunts felt not only tacked on but just an utter slog. A true shame, and quite the bitter taste in my mouth.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I actually like Monster Hunter a lot but it doesn't work in side scrolling games if it is the core loop. Shame, could have been so much more. Cheers

[@lipayy9852]

​@@PlayGames_PG the biggest problem is making them all so samey, if monster hunter had ONE monster type it would never have become what it is

[@thomassharples9734]

A very timely video as Sacrifice is on sale atm. I have watched all 4 of your Salty videos and am still up in the air about whether to get Sacrifice. Your original video on your first playthrough is much more positive, so I might take the plunge knowing that it is an ultimately flawed experience, especially compared to the original, which I thought was great (despite being glitched into the wall by the last boss who I killed with a spear and he could do nothing!)

[@PlayGames_PG]

I'm playing all the Ska Studios games at the moment and it has helped me rate them more accurately. I think the first time I was just happy to play another Ska game but the holes were there, playing again makes them more obvious to highlight.

[@comical_world]

​@@PlayGames_PG ska studios are great at what they do and I think there peaks are salt and sanctuary and Charlie murder if I'm honest sacrifice is the lowest rates of all there games not that it's bad it's still my top 15 games but I beleive it's there worst game

[@andrejz8954]

@@comical_world their peaks* , their games* , their worst*

[@comical_world]

@@andrejz8954 a year old comment that had a simple spelling mistake aha fairs whatever

[@dannyaxelsunday]

I echo these sentiments nearly verbatim. Such a disappointment after a run of truly terrific games.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I replayed it recently and it brought home all the issues that really didn't need to be there, I hope we get a proper Salt and Sanctuary sequel one day! Thanks for watching.

[@markofunkade]

Good review but I was expecting your score to be lower at the end.

[@PlayGames_PG]

Like I said it isn't all bad, the core play isn't too far from Sanctuary but the structure really let it down. Cheers

[@kilgoretrout8896]

Just tried to replay it after over a year since release and came to KZbin to feel vindicated- with this video I certainly do. No balancing updates at all in the past year considering they just released a massive update for Sanctuary a few months back. The game is just unfair to the player-plain and simple. I didn’t mind the hub area restructuring and monster hunter style changes that much but the actual combat is not fun anymore. Enemies are relentless and leap across the screen to maul you, with bosses spamming attacks and having you dodge off of a platform to your death. Such a shame. A year later and this game still makes me so damn angry.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think this is the perfect case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The reason Sanctuary was so popular is due to it's well structured level design, the issue with Sacrifice is the hunts become incredibly tiresome very quickly, making it feel like a free to play model. So sad considering the quality of the prior game, but I hope this is a blip rather than the way forward for Ska Studios, who are one of my fav Indie devs. Cheers

[@marekvallee2603]

Although I do actually enjoy this game quite a bit, I DEFINITELY prefer Sanctuary over this one (hence why Salt & Sanctuary is my second fav game of all time, right behind Bloodborne). Sanctuary was damn near perfect, and I do mostly agree with your points on the mage hunts being repetitive, though they were pretty cool and fun to experience for the first time.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think Salt & Sanctuary is just one of those games that hit all the right tones in nearly every aspect. Sacrifice I agree at first seemed good, but soon became a tiresome ordeal of a game. Cheers

[@readifdumb]

Why did they grab the camp/fireplace from the first game and split it across several locations within a massive hub, and then require you to put runes into a portal to travel back to where you came from? It's just unnecessary and tedious.

[@PlayGames_PG]

Tedious is the right word, didn't make any sense to me either.

[@iaobilibaomaster7928]

I played salt and sancuatry like 2 years ago i hope the studio makes a simillar game cuz i want to see a diffrenet athetic and im pretty sure that this game doesnt need a third instalment but you know thats just my opinion

[@PlayGames_PG]

Try Charlie Murder or The Dishwasher Vampire Smile if you haven't already, both excellent fun games.

[@malazan6004]

Did the devs ever comment? Not sure what the hell they were thinking honestly

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think this game is a good example of outside influence having an impact on an indie developer, something wasn't right here and anyone who knows Ska Studios can feel it.

[@waffletaffle304]

I really want to like this game and I believe it can still be saved by patches, I don't have a problem with repetitive mage fights or the map, it's the quality of life witch is horrible and makes the game so annoying to play, for example you can only level up at the camp witch requires to return via obelisk but the placement is so random often you will just die looking for one, and if you do find one and you level up and come back you're back at the start of the map, have fun walking the same route with the same enemies and mages which for some reason respawn in the same location each time.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I agree the quality of life aspect of this game is horrible, I never understand why people alter a winning formula.

[@andrejz8954]

your witch is actually which*

[@TheCommentGuy8]

Well, actually, you can parry in this game, you just have to time the block-button right.

[@PlayGames_PG]

Overall a very poor follow up to Salt and Sanctuary.

[@draegore]

No that's perfect block. And you have to do it multiple times to get a riposte.

[@sbravo3761]

This game would’ve been good a s&s offshoot, not a direct sequel. My biggest gripe with it isnt gameplay or art, its how far removed with the lote and ambience it is. It felt like it was aimed at kids with how magical and fantastical it was. Sanctuary felt like magic was wrong (aside from holy), and sacrifice magic feels like fairies. The world isnt scary, the enemies arent scary, the maps arent scary.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I agree with you on the tone, it did feel like it was made more child friendly. I don't know the background behind the development process but I'm sure there was another studio or mainstream corporate tie in to that process, because it doesn't have the purity or the authentic feel of Salt and Sanctuary, it feels like a poor imitation.

[@datpotatoes4005]

Completed Salt and Sanctuary yesterday (First playthrough.) Absolutely amazing! The atmosphere, the music, the art, exploring areas... Although I did kill every boss first, 2nd or 5th to 10th try, the bosses are fun and interesting in their own ways! That being said: I have been really excited for this game, but I might have to skip it.

[@PlayGames_PG]

Sadly this follow up drifts away from what made Sanctuary such a wonderful game. You might enjoy it for a brief time but the repetitive mage hunt gameplay kills it for most fans of the first game. Cheers

[@mpartner43]

Yeah its unfortunate. Sacrifice did not hold my attention any more than a few weeks

[@PlayGames_PG]

A shame.

[@atquinn1975]

Sounds like like pulled a Dark Souls 2. Except DS2 is still very much worth playing despite its disjointed levels and other flaws. Salt and Sacrifice seems like it might be a pass.

[@PlayGames_PG]

If you never played Salt and Sanctuary then it's probably not as bad, but it is a massive drop off if you did.

[@turntapeover5749]

What people wanted: Online coop and PvP with Salt and Sanctuary. What we got: A damn mess.

[@PlayGames_PG]

It was a very strange sequel that I can't help but feel was influenced by new people joining forces with Ska Studios for this game, which had much more publicity than Salt and Sanctuary. It's a shame as the first game nailed it, I honestly don't know what they thought they were doing, it felt like a free to play model. Cheers

[@bowserfireballs8177]

I told my friend to get this day one because I loved sanctuary so much and it looked mostly close enough from what I saw and I still feel so guilty for even recommending him the game I just can't finish it. I get its not supposed to be like salt 2 ig but it just didn't feel like almost anything I liked in the first game appeared in this one it had on all the paint of the first game with none of the substance

[@PlayGames_PG]

Yeah, at first it may feel good but after the joy of playing another Ska game wears off you see it for the average game it is.

[@n_asreactions2851]

There are a relise date on xbox?

[@PlayGames_PG]

Not that I have heard, sure it will eventually but Salt and Sanctuary is the only one in this series worth playing really.

[@draegore]

I enjoyed Sacrifice, but it's a bit disappointing compared to Sanctuary.

[@PlayGames_PG]

True.

[@Dolguldur93]

the thing is this game was made to be played multiplayer, if u get past the starting bosses (fire ice and poison) the others are kind hard and invasions made the game more fun. while sanctuary was made to be played alone or couch coop. If they have changed the name to any other than "salt" the game would do better, and steam release as well

[@PlayGames_PG]

I was part of the early testing and I can say that there wasn't anything in the literature stating this was multiplayer first, solo second, on the contrary. I think it is a great example of how a winning formula doesn't need to be changed, only improved with quality of life adjustments. Sacrifice is a big downgrade from a developer I love, so I hope we see them back on form in future.

[@Wikloe]

I tried SO HARD to like this game. But between all the mages feeling literally the same (the fire ones that can stack burning status ailment and 1 shot you can go to hell), and the non mage bosses all having a magical stun lock 1 shot kill combo once you got to phase 3, it felt like all the finnese of the designs from the first game was gone. This game feels like an early beta for sanctuary, that they just touched up a bit, added gimmicks like the ziplines to make it shiny, then shipped out as a game. Honestly I think your ending score is being generous with how high it is xD But you're probably being more objective about it than I am.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I agree, finesse is the right way of describing what was lacking here. It felt like someone came in to Ska Studios from a corporate side to make it more mainstream, all that did was make the core fan base feel ignored and short changed. Very sad.

[@Nejy]

Thank you for saving me from buying this. I loved Salt & Sanctuary, but this just looks like 2D Monster Hunter.

[@PlayGames_PG]

2D Monster Hunter is a good description. A real shame as Salt and Sanctuary was golden.

[@zethrenbeltran4071]

Maybe so inspired by the dark souls series, they also mimicked the disappointing sequel pattern? (I jest, but the development pattern could be the same)

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think DS2 was a disappointment compared to DS1, so you may be on to something there.

[@Tripazl]

Thank you for a honest rewiev.

[@PlayGames_PG]

Thank you for watching.

[@Cyrus_Shokan]

It’s awful . I enjoyed Salt and Sanctuary this game is boring and awkward. I hate it

[@PlayGames_PG]

I agree Sanctuary is a vastly superior game in almost every way.

[@mathewward1626]

I just picked this up on switch yesterday.... and I for one really dig it so far... though I have heard that it's had a few patches alokng the way since this review. I do like the first one better... but overall... the game does not suck. Too many folks seem to have these preconceived notions and expectations of how they think the game should have been... and sometimes preconceived notions and expectations can ruin one's experience with a game.

[@PlayGames_PG]

I think compared to the previous game, which is a natural thing to do as this is a follow up it falls short in every way. In particular the soul of the game, it feels more in tune with the triple a structure of games which based on what I've seen the last few years is not a good move in terms of quality of experience. Cheers

[@jaredh923]

Idk why casuals always say this. Sacrifice was better in just about every single way. Sanctuary doesnt even have multiplayer. If you dislike Sacrifice, you dislike both games.

[@PlayGames_PG]

You sound like you're on the payroll friend, you have revealed yourself as a casual yourself, tut tut tut.

[@MrMichimueller]

No its not, its diffrent

[@PlayGames_PG]

Yes, it is, thanks though for your riveting insight.