Saturnalia

 PC
Saturnalia Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

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  • Summary: A game inspired and heavily influenced by the folklore of Sardinia, Italy (a region rich with unique traditions and culture) where you play as four characters, experiencing a deeply connected storyline that ties back to the haunting traditions of an ancient village.

    Die, and watch the    A game inspired and heavily influenced by the folklore of Sardinia, Italy (a region rich with unique traditions and culture) where you play as four characters, experiencing a deeply connected storyline that ties back to the haunting traditions of an ancient village.

    Die, and watch the village reconfigure itself into a new form. Solve puzzles and open shortcuts to new areas with tools and items you find along the way, unlocking every piece of the story with different characters, each with its own power and suited for another aspect of exploration and investigation.

    With a limited supply of matches to light your way and darkness encroaching, can you find your way through the fog to reveal the truth? Or will you be engulfed by the secrets this town doesn't want you to know?    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Finger Guns
    Oct 27, 2022
    100
    Saturnalia should be on any horror fan’s radar this year. A twisted story combined with a superb art style, nerve-shredding gameplay and expertly crafted design will have you praising and cursing the creative genius to put roguelike mechanics into a horror game. This Italian town has a horrific history you’ll both love and hate to venture into, but you’ll be compelled to uncover it nonetheless.
  2. Multiplayer.it
    Oct 27, 2022
    85
    Overall Saturnalia works and manages to excite until the end, thanks above all to its open structure, which makes the story replayable several times without ever appearing heavy or too repetitive.
  3. The Games Machine
    Oct 28, 2022
    85
    Saturnalia is an atypical horror game, but engaging and extremely funny. Solid gameplay is accompanied by a great art direction.
  4. Screen Rant
    Oct 27, 2022
    80
    Saturnalia is hard to call a must-play horror game, as it's likely to be polarizing both in terms of its presentation and its mechanics. A slower pace, somewhat minimalist gameplay, and mystery-laden narrative style will keep it from being everyone's cup of tea. Yet fans of exploration looking for a beautiful, atmospheric mystery (with just a handful of things that lurk in the dark) will find that Saturnalia is a wholly unique adventure that's well worth taking.
  5. Shacknews
    Nov 1, 2022
    80
    Each of the game’s characters come with an interesting, yet heavy backstory attached that’ll pique your curiosity and inspire you to dig deeper. At times, the narrative can get lost in the chaos of trying not to get all four characters killed, but when it’s present, such as in items and clues, it’s gripping and will haunt you long after you’ve beaten the game.
  6. God is a Geek
    Oct 27, 2022
    80
    Saturnalia is a smart survival horror title that offers plenty of freedom despite its claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing encounters.
  7. IGN Italia
    Oct 27, 2022
    70
    A game that conveys in a very fascinating way the principles of magical thinking, folk horror and hauntology connected to the Italian rural tradition thanks to an awesome artistic work. Gameplaywise, though, Saturnalia struggles to offer solid survival horror mechanics and the roguelite elements are quite shallow, while the core of the narrative adventure is nonetheless gripping and interesting.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. Brenda333
    Oct 29, 2022
    10
    The way the city of Gravoi itself grows on you becoming the ultimate antagonist of the game will leave you haunted for quite some time afterThe way the city of Gravoi itself grows on you becoming the ultimate antagonist of the game will leave you haunted for quite some time after looking and the end credits. The look and the soundtrack of the game are outstanding, and you will be surprised more and more of the many gameplay novelties the game offers.… Expand
  2. RKadnGrl
    Jan 12, 2023
    9
    Atmospheric, tension-filled, graphically pleasing. I couldn't stop thinking about this game even when I wasn't playing it; the many mysteriesAtmospheric, tension-filled, graphically pleasing. I couldn't stop thinking about this game even when I wasn't playing it; the many mysteries of the village were with me for a while. The controls took some getting used to, but well worth it. I expect to revisit Saturnalia next winter solstice (but on a more forgiving difficulty level). Recommended.… Expand
  4. crom4rtie
    Nov 8, 2022
    9
    Unique setting, great soundtrack, unusual graphic design, interesting mechanics, fun gameplay - all in one game. I'm not gonna lie and sayUnique setting, great soundtrack, unusual graphic design, interesting mechanics, fun gameplay - all in one game. I'm not gonna lie and say that everything's perfect - it's not, but it's close, with the only real issue being the controls. These could definitely use some optimization. However, that said, it did not stop me from spending over 40 hours with the game so far and I can only recommend it.… Expand
  5. Loglino1
    Dec 25, 2022
    8
    Pretty fun game overall. The artstyle, atmosphere, and soundtrack are all great. The gameplay mechanics are generally well-designed, and thePretty fun game overall. The artstyle, atmosphere, and soundtrack are all great. The gameplay mechanics are generally well-designed, and the story/mystery had some interesting stuff going on.
    Though, I did encounter a couple of problems. For one, the controls and camera can be somewhat janky. Second, there were a few bugs. For instance, one character (Gabriele) got stuck a couple of times. There were also a few moments when I couldn't tell if the gameplay systems were buggy, or if they were just designed to be unpredictable and confusing... maybe both.
    Still, I had a good time.    … Expand
  6. MVil
    Nov 4, 2022
    4
    Runs like **** on a mid-range GPU. No reason for this, graphics are ordinary. I get it: it's not an action game, but how can I appreciate aRuns like **** on a mid-range GPU. No reason for this, graphics are ordinary. I get it: it's not an action game, but how can I appreciate a game when going around is not fun?… Expand
  7. bokarsh-z
    Nov 6, 2022
    3
    =======
    only worth 5 dollar
    ======= -rebitive stealth running like brick simulator,maze lvl design, not scary and game very dark cant see    =======
    only worth 5 dollar
    =======
    -rebitive stealth running like brick simulator,maze lvl design, not scary and game very dark cant see will.
    -only good atmosphere and u can customize difficulty.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PC Game of 2022

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