SALT AND SACRIFICE Beta Test Impressions for PlayStation

I had the opportunity to check out Salt and Sacrifice, a sequel to Salt and Sanctuary developed by SKA Studios, and it brings a unique perspective on the Souls-like games that have come in the past years. To take the formula of the Souls games has been done before, I mean creating its own genre at this point, however, Salt and Sacrifice, just like its predecessor, brings it as a 2D world. I have not been able to check out the prequel to this title but after checking out this beta, it needs to be on my list.  

This game puts you as an inquisitor where the world is fragmented, and portals are used that come from a combination of runes. The basis of the goal of this game is to take out mages that have been creating a mess for the world and it’s your job to hunt them all down to bring peace back to the world. This is the basis you are given from the beta. While it may seem minor now, I’m hoping this will be fleshed out much more when the title does come out later.  

The character editor is here as well and after checking it out I found the basic aspects of its features. There are several classes to choose from, from assassin, cleric, fighter, duelist, highblade, paladin, ranger, and sage, with this chosen class you get initial equipment to use with specific attributes connected to that class. But as you level and advance your character a complex skill tree is used to customize your character to how you want them to be. Therefore, you’re not truly stuck to this class with customization with the skill tree allowing for vast possibilities with character builds. I can tell just barely diving into the customization that this will be a deep system that will leave the player with all types of possibilities. That is exciting to think of because that is one of my favorite parts is truly creating my character to my preferences to the max. 

Salt and Sacrifice has added the main base to it unlike many other Souls-like experiences that are just one interconnected map. Here you can have services that will help you through the game with blacksmiths, shops, and altars that you can use the experience you gain, this kind of reminded me of Diablo with having the main base area. Then in this base, there is a stone arch area where with the right runes you can teleport to other places that are around.  

The platforming of the game makes it a joy to get around, you will have to watch for fall damage in this title. There is even the use of a hook used to jump from branches and add a great variety to the platforming and I enjoyed this variety of movement. After a while, you have the freedom to find new paths and activate checkpoints for the eventual deaths that will come for you. Don’t let this 2D world fool you, this game will challenge you. Where I was killed by enemies throughout, even the ones that seemed harmless killed me in a couple of hits when I was not paying too much attention. The bosses are no different and will challenge you to use your tools and potions to take them on, you must bring your A-game, so be warned if this is not the type of experience you enjoy. 

Now to start, the mages that you will take on are difficult, as you would expect from a souls like experience so that’s no surprise. What’s new about this title, and one can tell is the focus of this beta, is the multiplayer aspect added to this title. There are three different online aspects from asynchronous, cooperative, and competitive elements through it. You can play with friends by having a password and joining a multiplayer experience with them, which I think will be a fun addition. The gameplay is unique in that once you teleport to a new location using those runes you will have to chase down those sorcerers that you’re trying to kill. This leads you to have to chase them around and slowly battle them until they vanish to another area. This leads you to have to battle them in multiple areas until the last area where they will have some health down but are still difficult. I liked this mechanic as it added some intrigue and made it unique as it felt like you were truly hunting down these sorcerers, I’m excited to check it out for the release. You take down these sorcerers and devour their hearts, yeah messed up but stays in theme with these titles. This hunt feature I feel can be such a highlight for this title and I’m excited to see how they expand on it further with the release.  

The graphics for a 2D are not extraordinary, but I did enjoy the aesthetics of the environments and the characters as it made it a bit unique. This title may not have out-of-this-world graphics or be revolutionary, but it does enough to where it does not worsen the experience just does not add a lot either. 

Salt and Sacrifice has the potential to be a unique experience that people that liked the first game and the genre may want to check out. Overall, I’m looking forward to how the mechanics, systems, and gameplay are maneuvered in the final release of the title, and I’m excited to check it all out! 

For more information, visit: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/salt-and-sacrifice/

Related: Salt and Sacrifice Soulslike Platformer Heading Exclusively to PC on Epic Games Store

Mark Krueger-Van Oyen

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Gaming has always been an outlet for me to interact with different people and explore all kinds of possibilities. I play a wide variety of games always willing to try different mechanics and storylines that developers are trying to create for their games. I grew up delving into MW2 and World of Warcraft, I miss the Wrath of The Lich King days, and as I have gotten older I have found a love for RPGs and strategy games, my favorites being The Witcher 3 and Total War. Always looking forward to the next great game.

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