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Sacred

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7.2 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 33 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Encore Software

Developer: Ascaron Entertainment

Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: March 24, 2004

Summary

Sacred's Dynamic World of Exploration. Unlike any other fantasy action RPG, Sacred offers players an enormous world comprised of 16 regions with virtually unlimited opportunities for exploration. This world contains highly detailed landscapes, complete with villages and towns and even a day/night cycle with varying weather systems. Regions vary from forests and mountains to deserts, catacombs and ice-covered landmasses. More than three quarters of the world are open to the players from the very start - no unlocks needed. [Encore Software]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Sacred Plus Sacred Underworld

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Adrenaline Vault Preview GameSpot Preview IGN Preview Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Just RPG

Sacred made me forget how disappointed I have been with many RPG’s over the last few years, was wonderful to play, and provided many hours RPG paradise.

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VideoGamesLife

It’s a massive, massive game that never gets boring and one that’s so easy to get into and so good-looking that anyone wanting good old fashioned RPG action would be stupid to even consider purchasing anything else.

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Loaded Inc

A unique skill system, intriguing characters, and seemingly endless exploration await anyone willing to stay up to the wee hour playing this addictive title. I have played it obsessively since loading it, and I am just getting started.

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3DAvenue

The sheer amount of content alone and the general high quality feel of the game is enough to make this a must have for most RPG fans. If it wasn't for the bugs and the glitches, this is an easy 90+ game.

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Worth Playing

Its massive world, open-ended feel, deep arsenal, vast array of quests, epic story, good graphics/sound and addictive combat adds up to a game worth buying.

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ActionTrip

There are no breakthroughs in terms of general design involved, but the open-ended gameplay and an admirably lengthy single-player campaign is enough to the fancy of any gamer. If we disregard the relatively weak plotline, this is really an enjoyable RPG experience with enough content and replayability to keep you occupied for days.

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Warcry

While it had many elements that were highly familiar to me, there were enough unique elements to keep the game fresh and fun.

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PC Gamer

People don't typically play action-RPGs for their riveting narratives. They want fast-paced combat, lots of environments and beasties, and tons of cool magic weapons, armor, and loot. Sacred's got all that in spades. [June 2004, p.69]

Total Video Games

The variety of characters offers a wide range of style to play the game, whilst the sheer size is guaranteed to impress fans of the genre.

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GamerArchive

If you’ve already played the "Baldurs Gate" series, and find yourself eager for another world to immerse yourself in, give Sacred a try and I’m sure you wont be disappointed.

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Gamer's Hell

The sheer amount of sound effects and spoken dialogue is quite impressive, and the musical score isn’t too shabby either.

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Yahoo! Games

Sacred takes the best elements from the RPG genre and fuses them with a great deal of style. The polish, attention to detail, and obvious love that went into this game makes up for its minor shortcomings.

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IGN

One of the better action RPGs to come along in a while. There's a massive amount of depth, and the number of characters provides a lot of replayability.

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Game Informer

The biggest thing in Sacred that sets it apart from the crowd is the fact that you can ride horses into battle, trampling your foes beneath you or scampering away to pound them with magic or arrows from afar. [June 2004, p.135]

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Gamers' Temple

If you enjoy action-RPGs and have been discouraged by the general lack of quality in all of the "Diablo" inspired games out there then you should give Sacred a try.

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GameSpot

A great-looking, generally solid action role-playing game that provides a few interesting gameplay innovations...But its combat system is also somewhat finicky and unrewarding, which is a significant problem for what's fundamentally a hack-and-slash RPG.

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Gamers Europe

Even with all its letdowns and bugs it’s still an enjoyable and addictive game that you’ll be going back to again and again.

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TotalGames.net

Sacred definitely gets better the more you play it, the monsters keep getting bigger until they almost fill the screen, the weapons and skills go from a half-hearted stab to a whirling dervish of metal and magic and the lands of Ancaria roll before you begging to be explored.

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Quandary

If you're not looking for an intricate story and lots of character interaction then there's quite a fun and hectic journey to be had through the troubled land of Ancaria.

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Adrenaline Vault

Frequent issues with controlling your avatar coupled with broken quests keep this gem from truly shining up to its full potential. The good news is there’s nothing so wrong with it that a few patches can’t fix.

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RealGamer

The character development system seems a little basic and unfinished and the amount of bugs in the game really is unacceptable.

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Game Over Online

Every so often I had some fun with the game, but too much playing time is taken up by long, boring trudges where you have to kill the same enemies over and over again (and then over and over some more, since monsters constantly re-spawn), and that isn’t much fun.

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Cheat Code Central

Hopelessly addicted RPG enthusiasts will probably not be able to resist its allure but you won't find any lasting peace and happiness deep down in your soul once you've completed it. Next!

Computer Gaming World

Sacred is about as close as a game can get to being "Diablo" without getting lawyers involved. [July 2004, p.73]

Boomtown

Although it doesn’t offer anything new, Sacred wields a metaphorical mace of monster mash with pride and panache. This is slick action adventuring with a lack of ambition but no shortage of charm.

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AceGamez

The sheer size of the game and the time it will take to play through should keep the average player occupied for months and it moves with a steady pace that should keep most players interested.

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Computer Games Magazine

It just plods along in mediocrity from start to finish, smiling contently all the way. And there's nothing innately wrong with that. There just isn't anything innately right with it either. [July 2004, p.58]

Frictionless Insight

Given the variety of characters, you're bound to find at least one whose play style is entertaining enough to justify riding out the rough spots.

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GameSpy

In the end the bugs and problems simply aren't worth the tradeoff for the few interesting ideas the game does employ.

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G4 TV

It’s a testament to the game that despite all of these problems, Sacred is still fun to play. No really, it is!... But there’s still no excuse for releasing a game in such shoddy condition.

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Gamer's Pulse

Monotonous combat, a lackluster story, and poor visuals are countered by moderately intriguing characters; however, this isn't nearly enough to salvage the game.

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Game Revolution

While Sacred is a fun, addictive diversion, its relentless simplicity makes it feel like it’s not quite a full fledged game. I don’t need a complex crafting system, but I do need to feel like I have some control over my character’s abilities and destiny.

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PALGN

A somewhat interesting action/RPG title underneath all the terrible flaws.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

J. B. gave it a6:
As a huge fan of Diablo II I was really looking for Sacred to scatch my itch for a similar but new game. It didn't. The story is fine and the graphics are great but the sound, voice actors and gameplay are sorely lacking. The game also feels too much like a grind, even in comparison to the Diablo series. It's not a bad game but if you're looking for a continuation on Diablo play, you will be dissapointed.

Brad gave it a0:
Won't load and full of errors...can't play....wasted $30.

Travis H. gave it a 10:
Awesome reamped diabloII game with horses.

Nikola L. gave it a 9:
I like it, but there are some minor faults that could be easily fixed.

Fadid O. gave it a 7:
I feel the graphics and characters are well done, but the technical "glitches" in gameplay make it frustrating. Also many times I got stuck wondering what I need to do next.

[Anonymous] gave it a 6:
I used to be a diablo player for like 3 years. this game is fun but lacks depth, and the technical issues faced when playing online is extremely frustrating, i can get stuck in the "connecting..." screen forever even when i plugged out my connection. this game really lacks a lot of things that will make it beat diablo or battle.net for that matter. The single player is less problematic, but the real fun is in the multiplayer which is a real sad case.

Marc R. gave it a 9:
This game may be a Diablo like, but it kicks ass. Special features such as Combos, horses, and auto- adjustment of enemies toughness gives you a darn good challenge.

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