Saturnalia

“Saturnalia mixes mechanics to effectively elevate the entire survival horror genre.”

“An intriguing little game with a great setting and aesthetic, well worth experiencing blind.”

“Saturnalia demonstrates the ambition and talent of Italian development team Santa Ragione. A classically based survival horror that marries roguelite mechanics within a fascinating investigative adventure steeped in Sardinian tradition and folklore. An incredibly researched production, graced by evocative themes and exciting art direction. It lacks some refinements to the gameplay, as well as more attention to the technical side and artificial intelligence. Marginal flaws, however, that take nothing away from an experience charged with a very strong personality.”

“The striking art and sound of Saturnalia are definitely its strengths. The gameplay is a compelling mixture of ideas that mostly pay off due to the puzzle-like scenario. The storytelling may lead to confusion, but there is nothing else like Saturnalia.”

“Saturnalia is one of the best and most unique horror games of 2022 that not a single horror fan should miss.”

“Saturnalia excels at delivering a unique horror experience rich in creepy atmosphere and sinister themes.”

“Terrifying and unique, Saturnalia delivers almost everything you could want from an indie horror game in a single stylish and accessible package.”

“Ultimately, Saturnalia is one unique horror experience where the developer's own use of limited resources combine to create something compelling and unique.”

“Saturnalia is a striking homage to Giallo films and makes effective use of Italian folklore to power its horror. It's often better in the ideas than it is in practice, but those are some damn good ideas.”

“The terrible misadventure in Sardinian lands of a small group of explorers becomes for Santa Ragione the frame of a work with a valuable artistic direction. The exploration of the fictitious city of Gravoi proves to be the main mechanic of a somewhat bare gameplay in terms of content, lacking in tension due to a very permissive roguelite nature.”

“Saturnalia is for the horror game and cinema aficionado who’s looking for something different to play this Halloween. The game is far from perfect and will frustrate and confuse some players, but those with an eye for the creepy and the quirky may find their new obsession. This is a game that requires a dark room, an open mind, and plenty of patience, but those who can muster up these things will have a good time – just don’t be surprised if you avoid the dark for a long while to come.”

“Saturnalia is one of a kind game, a roguelite survival horror that mixes sardinian floklore with a commendable visual art style.”

“Saturnalia is a smart survival horror title that offers plenty of freedom despite its claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing encounters.”

“A pretty Sardinian village merges with all kinds of hellish influence in this nightmarish, claustrophic horror from arthouse developer Santa Ragione.”

“Ultimately, 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.”

“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.”

“Saturnalia is an atypical horror game, but engaging and extremely funny. Solid gameplay is accompanied by a great art direction.”