‘SKALD: Against the Black Priory’ is a retro-style party-based RPG set in a grim-dark fantasy world of tragic heroes, violent deaths and Lovecraftian horror. Choice matters as you explore an engaging branching story mixed with crunchy tactical, turn-based combat and character customization.
54 Players in Game
1 347 All-Time Peak
90,17 Rating
Steam Charts
54 Players in Game
1 347 All-Time Peak
90,17 Rating
At the moment, SKALD: Against the Black Priory has 54 players actively in-game. This is 96.94% lower than its all-time peak of 1 112.
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Player Count
SKALD: Against the Black Priory monthly active players. This table represents the average number of players engaging with the game each month, providing insights into its ongoing popularity and player activity trends.
| Month |
Average Players |
Change |
| 2025-06 |
33 |
+57.76% |
| 2025-05 |
21 |
-60.71% |
| 2025-04 |
53 |
-53.22% |
| 2025-03 |
115 |
+102.79% |
| 2025-02 |
56 |
-9.51% |
| 2025-01 |
62 |
-17.23% |
| 2024-12 |
75 |
+19.11% |
| 2024-11 |
63 |
-55.81% |
| 2024-10 |
143 |
+181.16% |
| 2024-09 |
51 |
-43.77% |
| 2024-08 |
91 |
-26.82% |
| 2024-07 |
124 |
-76.72% |
| 2024-06 |
534 |
0% |
2 958 Total Reviews
2 785 Positive Reviews
173 Negative Reviews
Very Positive Score
SKALD: Against the Black Priory has garnered a total of 2 958 reviews, with 2 785 positive reviews and 173 negative reviews, resulting in a ‘Very Positive’ overall score.
Reviews Chart
Chart above illustrates the trend of feedback for SKALD: Against the Black Priory over time, showcasing the dynamic changes in player opinions as new updates and features have been introduced. This visual representation helps to understand the game's reception and how it has evolved.
Recent Steam Reviews
This section displays the 10 most recent Steam reviews for the game, showcasing a mix of player experiences and sentiments. Each review summary includes the total playtime along with the number of thumbs-up and thumbs-down reactions, clearly indicating the community's feedback
Playtime:
1201 minutes
Overall solid RPG with nice lovecraftian themes. The early parts of the game felt like a traditional RPG, and I feel like it leaned well into the horror aspect nicely throughout, ending in a fever-pitch with the ending. Took me ~25 hours to complete which felt like the perfect amount of time for something like this. Overall the combat in the game was easy, and some spells felt utterly useless (I dont recall any enemies ever going invisible, despite multiple spells removing invisibility) but there's enough here to be worth your while.
👍 : 0 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
9967 minutes
The combat took some getting used to, and many of the spells I simply didn't use. But overall, a fun game that doesn't overstay it's welcome.
👍 : 0 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
520 minutes
Pretty cool game. Story is cool, but there are a few things that made me stop playing.
- The combat part where you can only move one space if you are next to an enemy kinda make it boring to fight which is the - Major interactive part of the game.
- The combat ui is not very easy to get an overview over. The spells are just indicated with Two letters and you have to hover to figure out what is what. Combat is not very FUN tbh. Too much missing of attacks and too slow. Whats fun about that? Selecting heroes for healing for example is badly indicated as well.
- No interestisng loot except for in quest
- Steam deck controls are VERY bad.
👍 : 3 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
1485 minutes
SPOILERS: loved the games gameplay and story all the way up until the end..... the end...its fucking trash. in my opinion and darkest dungeon did it better. Should allow us to break the supposed time loop or break fate for a good ending or a better ending all together.
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
941 minutes
Surprisingly good cosmic horror themed CRPG. Writing is really solid all the way through, with the debatable exception being the ending. Pixel art is well made, and I found the text descriptions of events to be particularly vivid and detailed. It's not Baldur's Gate 3 or anything, but some of your party members will provide information or comment on major plot points which is nice. Combat is fun with good music and visual feedback for critical or bloodied hits. Lots of magic available, but combat is definitely balanced in favor of melee. The game has customizable difficulty that you can adjust at any point in your playthrough. I thoroughly enjoyed my 15 hour playthrough (main story + most side content) and would highly recommend this game.
TL;DR - If you have any interest in cosmic horror, CRPGs, or retro-inspired indie titles, this game is absolutely worth it.
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
2517 minutes
This was something.. One of the best stories and atmosphere but lack of interesting fight. Played it every weekends for 2-3 hours and it was a perfect game in the start of the day. Some side-quests were so brilliantly written, that I holded my breath few times, more I was scared and lost words because of what was going on. Few times I shed a tear.
But the battle systeme is reaaly strange. You have a lot of spells, upgrades for melee charachters, but you have to use only 3-4 attacks, because almost always other attacks are useless in the situations.
👍 : 5 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
1167 minutes
A fascination for Lovecraft-inspired cosmic horror and its vicious, oppressive nature is, most definitely, a requirement for fully enjoying this game. This being said, SKALD stands as an absolutely brilliant take on the genre, which does not overstay its welcome and grips you tightly until the very end. The combat, though fun in its own right, takes a step back to let the wonderfully evocative writing give life to the world and make its exploration ever rewarding: this is where the game truly shines, and not enough good can be said about the atmosphere it's able to create. The pixel art is also not to be underrated, and serves to elevate the experience: I'm sure that many images will remain with me for a long time, some for their beauty and some for their brutality.
As all games, SKALD is not without flaws: some gameplay mechanics feel undercooked, some plot points not fully developed, and some locations not sufficiently filled with interactive elements. Most of all, the combat balancing leaves to be desired, and I often rushed through enemy encounters to get back to reading and exploring. All things considered, though, these problems were minor and not sufficient to sour my enjoyment.
Overall I fully recommend this game, especially to those who appreciate story-driven and exploration-focused experiences, and who enjoy the quirks of classic RPG gameplay. This is without doubt a title worth your time.
👍 : 4 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
454 minutes
Stupid game autosaved over my save. Put me into combat on game then, i was in an infinite loop of deaths. No way to run from a fight, other then to restart the stupid game again.
👍 : 14 |
😃 : 10
Negative
Playtime:
1087 minutes
As a fan of the old SSI games and Cosmic Horror, I had a blast with this game. The story was such a great homage to fantasy and cosmic horror.
👍 : 8 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
3393 minutes
[i]Just to let you guys know: This game is freaking amazing! Its deffo a sleeper hit among cRPGs. I actually dont undestand why it is popular or talked about among RPG forums on the interwebs...
Anyways, yeah the graphics and sound are extremely retro, kinda like a 80ies, begining of the 90ies game, but dont be fooled: the story and setting are Much more dark and mature than the game looks. It seems like your typical fantasy medieval world, but its actually heavily inspired by HP Lovecraft and his idea of Cosmic Horror.[/i]
[h3]Story[/h3]
Your character is a mercenary that was cast away from the lands of a feudal lord because your deceased father failed on his watch of Young girl called Embla, who was herself your childhood friend. Because of that, strange powers When forces awoke on the girl and set the prophecy in motion. A tale of an ancient primival force sleeping underground for ages that is set to devour the world whe it wakes up or some absurd non-sense like that. Now, as an adult, youre called again by the same lord that exiled you to find his daughter, your childhood friend Embla, who ran away on a strange quest to a mysterious island looking for a place called “the black priory”.
The Ending is terrible.... not because its bad written or anything, but because its too dark and gritty. You beat the final boss but you find out your character wa actually following a prophecy, a destiny he couldnt change. You feel defeated.
[h3]Conclusion[/h3]
Overal, this game is incredible. Really interesting worldbuilding, narrative and RPG system, all this using so little resourses like the retro graphics and music. Its crazy to see Triple AA gaming companies spending zillions of dollars in soulless and forgettable games, while this one manage to tell a great story and deliver good gameplay with so little….
[h1]10/10[/h1]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3399037745
👍 : 12 |
😃 : 0
Positive
SKALD: Against the Black Priory DLC
SKALD: Against the Black Priory offers 1 downloadable content (DLC) packs, each adding unique elements and extending the core gameplay experience. These packs may include new missions, characters, maps, or cosmetic items, enriching the player's engagement with the game.
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Steam Achievements
SKALD: Against the Black Priory offers players a rich tapestry of challenges, with a total of 15 achievements to unlock. These achievements span a variety of in-game activities, encouraging exploration, skill development, and strategic mastery. Unlocking these achievements provides not only a rewarding experience but also a deeper engagement with the game's content.
Shores of Idra
You've made it to the bleak shores of the Isle of Idra.
All is Darkness
You’ve finished the game!
A Deeper Dark
You’ve completed the lighthouse-keeper’s quest.
The Liberator of Horryn
You’ve liberated the beleaguered town of Horryn.
Patricide
You’ve slain the foul leader of the Reavers on Idra.
Puppeteer
You managed to defeat the Reaver chieftains using wits rather than brawn.
A Light in the Darkness
You managed to help the wretched refugees of Horryn.
Gradla
You’ve sailed north to Gradla to uncover the secrets that may be found on the island's plateau.
The Eternity Gate
The Black Priory reveals its secrets to you.
The Priory Opens
You stand at the threshold of the Black Priory.
The Queen is Dead
The Queen lies dead by your hand.
Chitters-In-Darkness
You’ve explored the wreck of the Zephyr on Idra.
Tower of Ash
You’ve learned the mysteries of the Tower of Ash.
Such Wonders
You’ve celebrated the Carnivale in Firgol.
Pilgrimage
You’ve completed the pilgrimage to the five shrines in the Outer Isles.
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Minimum PC System Requirements
Minimum:- OS *: Windows 7+
- Processor: x64 1 GHz or faster
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Storage: 200 MB available space
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Recommended PC System Requirements
Recommended:- OS *: Windows 7+
- Processor: x64 1 GHz or faster
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- DirectX: Version 10
- Storage: 200 MB available space
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Minimum MAC System Requirements
Minimum:- OS: 10.11-10.15, 11.0 (Big Sur)
- Processor: Intel Core i3
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
- Storage: 200 MB available space
SKALD: Against the Black Priory has specific system requirements to ensure smooth gameplay. The minimum settings provide basic performance, while the recommended settings are designed to deliver the best gaming experience. Check the detailed requirements to ensure your system is compatible before making a purchase.
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Videos
Explore videos from SKALD: Against the Black Priory, featuring gameplay, trailers, and more.
SKALD: Against the Black Priory Latest News & Patches
This game has received a total of 7 updates to date, ensuring continuous improvements and added features to enhance player experience. These updates address a range of issues from bug fixes and gameplay enhancements to new content additions, demonstrating the developer's commitment to the game's longevity and player satisfaction.
Info for Community Beta Testers
Date: 2022-09-06 08:17:36
Some crucial info for beta-testers to get started
👍 : 34 |
👎 : 0
Season of Giving: Demo and Contest!
Date: 2022-12-20 16:28:27
Can you succeed where so many others have failed?
👍 : 75 |
👎 : 0
Week 1 Updates and Patch Notes
Date: 2024-06-07 11:35:00
👍 : 417 |
👎 : 6
Version 1.0.5 is Live - Patch Notes
Date: 2024-06-13 10:01:02
👍 : 414 |
👎 : 3
Steam Deck VERIFIED! Controller Support! New Class & more!
Date: 2024-09-30 17:02:30
👍 : 524 |
👎 : 1
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