Saturnalia

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic 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. 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.
  3. 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.
  5. GameGrin
    Nov 21, 2022
    80
    An intriguing little game with a great setting and aesthetic, well worth experiencing blind.
  6. Impulsegamer
    Nov 7, 2022
    80
    Saturnalia is one of the best and most unique horror games of 2022 that not a single horror fan should miss.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Nov 5, 2022
    80
    This disquieting, disorienting place leaves us as properly rattled as we've been by a videogame since Immortality. [Issue#378, p.114]
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  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Oct 27, 2022
    70
    Saturnalia is an adventure that shows off its Italian roots by creating an intriguing story, although not too original, capable of exploiting Sardinian folklore and a credible setting within a highly inspired sensory frame. It works more on a conceptual and visual level than on a strictly playful one, but it is an imbalance that does not excessively affect the pleasure of the experience.
  12. SpazioGames
    Oct 27, 2022
    70
    Saturnalia is one of a kind game, a roguelite survival horror that mixes Sardinian floklore with a commendable visual art style.
  13. 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.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Oct 27, 2022
    Saturnalia though? That's an experience you want to have. More and more I find myself skulking around the edges of the bell curve, looking for unusual things that provoke unusual feelings. Saturnalia is one. It's a pulse-raising, shiver-making, dark little whisper; a beautiful game. Sometimes tiny things go a little wrong in Saturnalia - dialogue triggering at slightly the wrong moment - but you'll hardly notice. It's a rare game that unsettles you enough to stop playing, but attracts you enough that you turn it back on almost immediately. A rare game that's so unapologetically specific, that doesn't seem to have diluted any part of itself. Rarest of all is a game that's truly unique, and makes you think "I haven't played anything like this before." [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PC Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 4 out of 13
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.    … Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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