Sacred 3

Sacred 3
Developer(s)Keen Games
Publisher(s)Deep Silver
SeriesSacred
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release
  • EU: 1 August 2014
  • NA: 5 August 2014
Genre(s)Hack and slash, brawler
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sacred 3 is a 2014 hack and slash brawler, part of the Sacred video game series, despite notable differences in both gameplay and design. Deep Silver, which acquired the license to Sacred 3 from former development studio Ascaron Entertainment, announced at Gamescom that the earliest it could publish the game would be in early 2012.[1] The game was finally released on 1 August 2014. It was met with mixed to negative reception.

Another side-scrolling action brawler called Sacred Citadel, acting as a prequel to the Sacred 3 story, was released in 2013 to XBLA, PSN and Steam and developed by Southend Interactive.

Gameplay

There are a variety of classes to choose from but those from Sacred 2: Fallen Angel have not returned. They were replaced by the Safiri Warrior and Ancarian Lancer. Some of the environments from the previous game made a return such as Castle Braverock.

Sacred 3 has four player co-op online and offline. Each ally has his or her own distinct set of active and passive skills. Everyone has a small number of abilities to equip at a time to keep the team from getting overpowered and may allow the combining of team powers to give the player additional ways to take down foes.

Plot

Seraphim – guardians of the legendary "Heart of Ancaria" and their sacred bond between its people had kept the land at peace for centuries, but they've since been forgotten. Lord Zane – ruler of the Ashen Empire – allied himself with Demons, striving to open the gates to the underworld. Bound together by the chains of this evil empire, a resistance of Heroes was forged.

Players will need to defeat the oppressive ruler of Ashen Empire, Zane Ashen, and keep him from obtaining a powerful artifact known as the Heart of Ancaria.

Development

Sacred 3 was developed by Keen Games, for the publisher Deep Silver. Shortly following the Gamescom announcement, Deep Silver called for fan feedback on desired features for Sacred 3 in its official community forums.[2]

In an interview Martin Wein stated: "For the weakness of Sacred 2 I want to mention the Quality Assurance. As a target for Sacred 3 this will be a very important milestone to be taken care of. It's possible to deliver a bug free game." When asked about possible similarities or differences between the sequel and past installments, Wein stated: "We want to keep the charm of the series and you will stumble upon one or another popular character of the prequels."[3]

Reception

The game received "mixed" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[9] The Escapist's Jim Sterling wrote that fans of the series could be disappointed and fans of the hack and slash genre would prefer other titles.[20]

References

  1. ^ Ridgeley, Sean (19 August 2010). "Deep Silver announces Risen 2, Sacred 3". Neoseeker. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Sacred 3: Vorschläge von der Community sind im Trend" (in German). Spielradar.de. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Interview with Deep Silvers' PR Manager Martin Wein". sacred3.org. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Video Game Reviews, Articles, Trailers and more - Metacritic". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Video Game Reviews, Articles, Trailers and more - Metacritic". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Video Game Reviews, Articles, Trailers and more - Metacritic". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Sacred 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 9 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Sacred 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Sacred 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Review: Sacred 3". Destructoid. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Sacred 3 review". Eurogamer.net. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Sacred 3 review". Gamespot. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Sacred 3 review". GamesRader. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  14. ^ "Sacred 3 review". GameTM. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Sacred 3 review". GameTrailer. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  16. ^ "Sacred 3 review". IGN. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Sacred 3 Xbox 360: Nothing is sacred in Keen's action RPG revival". Official Xbox Magazine. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  18. ^ "Review: Sacred 3". Hardcore Gamer. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  19. ^ "Sacred 3 Review - Yawntlet". The Escapist. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  20. ^ Jim Sterling (1 August 2014). "Sacred 3 Review - Yawntlet". The Escapist. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.