Salt and Sanctuary Reviews

I'm writing this review after finishing the game (total playtime: almost 34 hours). Salt and Sanctuary is a Metroidvania Souls-like 2D game with an amazing hand-drawn gothic art style, and a frustrating AI, which ends up making the game both "painfully difficult" and "fun difficult". Let me break it down to you in this review: [b]Art Style[/b] - I love it very much, the art style can easily described as hand-drawn, grim, sad, and grotesque. - They used a Muted and desaturated color palette, inspired using Gothic horror aesthetic. [b]Gameplay - Combat[/b] - The common enemy AI likes to spam their attack so much, like they don't have their own Stamina system. They can even cancel their animations, and just proceed to drain out your own stamina while you are holding your shield. - Some enemies are faster than you, be warned when they start spamming you. - A bit clunky player controls, it took me few hours to get used to. I'm using Xbox 360 Controller. - Boss fights are very rewarding and difficult, the reward for being a pain in the arse goes to [spoiler]Witch of the Lake and Mad Alchemist[/spoiler]. - Bosses can be cheesed if you're wielding a weapon 2-handed. Happened to me while using Hammer, Greatsword and Reaper. [b]Gameplay - Features[/b] - You can create your own character, the Saltborn. - Game has a wide range of weapons (Sword, Spear, Polearm, Greatsword, Scythe, Swordwhip, Bows, Crossbows, etc etc) and skills (i.e. Spells, Incantations) to pick for your own build. - It's Dark Souls 1 open world style, each world is connected to one and another. You journey throughout the world and open shortcuts. - Fast Travel is always available via consumable items or NPCs. - Creeds to choose for your playstyle (The Three, Stone Ones, etc) - Tons of boss, [spoiler]I think a total of 22 boss throughout in 1 playthrough[/spoiler] - New Game+ included - Coop supported, can play up to 2 players locally. - Can easily get lost, this game doesn't provide waypoints, similar to Dark Souls. So pay attention to the key items and blocked paths during your adventure. Don't be shy to consult the internet on what to do next too. [b]Music/Sound Effects[/b] - Music can be repetitive at times. Not enough variety, especially on boss fights. - Sound effects good. - No voice over dialogues. The only voice exist in this game are the death moans from enemies. [b]Verdict[/b] - Salt and Sanctuary was a frustrating but enjoyable experience, but I managed to finish the game [spoiler]and beaten Nameless God, and escaped the island[/spoiler]. Would I come back and play New Game+? I don't think so, this game already gave me so much headache because of the enemy AI. I had more trouble playing this game than I was with Demon's Souls. - Is it my favourite? No. - Would I recommend it? of course. Be warned if you're a casual, this game is hardcore. [b]My score for this game:[/b] [h3]8/10[/h3]

This game is hard, it makes you explore, come up with new strategy, forces you to mind your steps, because you can get two-shotted/comboed by a doll with a knife, but it's so fuckin' rewarding. The skill tree system is great. You wanna be a greathammer and flintlock wielding tank? Suit yourself. Wanna whip suckas till they turn into red paste? Go on your merry way. This is certainly one of the best games i've ever played, and i'll surely get all achievements. Already anxious to play Salt and Sacrifice

Dark Souls in 2D, for the most part. It downright steals most of Dark Souls' ideas, but does add a few things of its own, like the inverted gravity and airdashing. Because I'm an idiot, I missed out on finishing the Knight's quest, and don't feel like doing a NG+ just for that quest. It also means I don't have to kill the tutorial boss (got it down to 20%, then it got me into a corner and did a ground pound), since I'm missing an achievement anyway. 35/37 achievements, 1 playthrough, may return or chip away at it from time to time.

This game is great. The game is easy for being a souls like game. I would strongly recommend this game for people who want to start playing souls like games. This game is great only thing that I would change is the multiplayer system would be great to play online.

It's a great dark souls 2d game. The bosses little easy, but the dungeons are sufficiently challenging.

This game was my introduction to the souls-like genre, and I think if you want to ease your way into it this is a perfect place to start. It's got challenging and rewarding gameplay, great atmosphere, combat, magic system, and story if you wanna delve into it. It's also an extremely fun game to speed run. I still come back to it after beating it countless times :)

Great game! areas flow into each other seamlessly, shortcuts are plenty so even if you go exploring deep you are bound to end up back at a safe area. Combat can be a little unforgiving at times, but that's why it's tagged as a souls-like.

This game is peak, I got to say the fact that I got softlocked on mal's floating castle with no torches and no sanctuaries to travel to, I ended up starting all over again and finished the game in 2 days, it's not the greatest game but its pretty good. One last complaint is that bosses can spam the same move over and over and can be frustrating, final verdict: a really decent I would say 8.5/10 2D soulslike game.

This is literally 2D Dark Souls (1). Great atmosphere, nice combat system, most locations are nice to explore and find secrets. Boss fights are easy, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. I personally love the subgenre for its great level-design (with exploration), atmosphere and combat system.

Everyone slaps “soulslike” on anything these days just because it has a dodge button, stamina bar, or some hard bosses. Nah. That’s surface level. Souls isn’t just about the combat — it’s the worldbuilding, the bleak atmosphere, the cryptic lore, the way it all feels connected and oppressive at the same time. Salt and Sanctuary is one of the only games outside FromSoft that nails that. The atmosphere? Bleak, gothic, and oppressive — like you’re trespassing somewhere you shouldn’t be. The level design? Interconnected in a way that actually feels thought out, with shortcuts that make you go “Ohhh, I’m back here!” instead of just another linear hallway. The lore? Vague but deliberate, with enough hooks for you to piece together your own understanding instead of spoon-feeding exposition. Combat feels weighty without being clunky, the bosses are memorable (and brutal without feeling unfair), and the risk/reward system actually matters — lose your salt, and it hurts. Most “soulslikes” feel like cosplay. This? This feels like it grew up in the same neighbourhood as Dark Souls — just in 2D. If you’re chasing that genuine Souls feeling, Salt and Sanctuary is in the rare company of the real ones. Verdict: 10/10 – One of the only true Soulslikes that actually deserves the label.