80
An intriguing little game with a great setting and aesthetic, well worth experiencing blind.
80
Saturnalia is one of the best and most unique horror games of 2022 that not a single horror fan should miss.
80
This disquieting, disorienting place leaves us as properly rattled as we've been by a videogame since Immortality. [Issue#378, p.114]
6
Horror game with interesting style and idea, but for horror it's not scary and more like puzzle game that is based on walking from location to location in small town that changes routes when you loose (all your characters die), weird movement and unclear idea of switching between characters, it felt like I could play with just one and it did't make any difference which is it, so the idea of many characters felt like they are the health bar basically, maybe it makes sense later in the game but I did't went that far.
10
I did not play this at launch. I picked it up at the beginning of 2024. So, any issues that were in the game originally, I have no experience with. I also bought this on all major platforms but my gameplay experience is strictly on consoles. This game took me by complete surprise. I bought it when it was on sale not thinking much of it at all. Once I started playing it, I was hooked. It has been a very long time since I felt my hair standing up while playing. This game does the sound of the enemies extremely well. Just hearing the creature by me is enough to make me super tense.This game is fully customizable. You can tweak almost everything about the game to give yourself the ideal experience. The layout of the village is unique each time you play it, so you can a different experience each time you play. With all the clues there are to collect in this game, you'll find yourself lost in this game for hours as you unlock the mystery in the town.
9
Atmospheric, tension-filled, graphically pleasing. I couldn't stop thinking about this game even when I wasn't playing it; the many mysteries of the village were with me for a while. The controls took some getting used to, but well worth it. I expect to revisit Saturnalia next winter solstice (but on a more forgiving difficulty level). Recommended.
Saturnalia
Released On:
Oct 27, 2022
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Mixed or Average
6.5
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
25% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Oct 27, 2022
100
Saturnalia should be on any horror fan’s radar this year. A twisted story combined with a superb art style, nerve-shredding gameplay and expertly crafted design will have you praising and cursing the creative genius to put roguelike mechanics into a horror game. This Italian town has a horrific history you’ll both love and hate to venture into, but you’ll be compelled to uncover it nonetheless.
Oct 27, 2022
85
Overall Saturnalia works and manages to excite until the end, thanks above all to its open structure, which makes the story replayable several times without ever appearing heavy or too repetitive.
User score
Mixed or Average
40% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
37% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
23% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Sep 18, 2024
10
I did not play this at launch. I picked it up at the beginning of 2024. So, any issues that were in the game originally, I have no experience with. I also bought this on all major platforms but my gameplay experience is strictly on consoles. This game took me by complete surprise. I bought it when it was on sale not thinking much of it at all. Once I started playing it, I was hooked. It has been a very long time since I felt my hair standing up while playing. This game does the sound of the enemies extremely well. Just hearing the creature by me is enough to make me super tense.This game is fully customizable. You can tweak almost everything about the game to give yourself the ideal experience. The layout of the village is unique each time you play it, so you can a different experience each time you play. With all the clues there are to collect in this game, you'll find yourself lost in this game for hours as you unlock the mystery in the town.
Oct 29, 2022
10
The way the city of Gravoi itself grows on you becoming the ultimate antagonist of the game will leave you haunted for quite some time after looking and the end credits. The look and the soundtrack of the game are outstanding, and you will be surprised more and more of the many gameplay novelties the game offers.
Nov 7, 2022
80
Saturnalia is one of the best and most unique horror games of 2022 that not a single horror fan should miss.
Nov 1, 2022
80
Each of the game’s characters come with an interesting, yet heavy backstory attached that’ll pique your curiosity and inspire you to dig deeper. At times, the narrative can get lost in the chaos of trying not to get all four characters killed, but when it’s present, such as in items and clues, it’s gripping and will haunt you long after you’ve beaten the game.
Oct 27, 2022
80
Saturnalia is a smart survival horror title that offers plenty of freedom despite its claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing encounters.
Oct 27, 2022
70
Saturnalia is an adventure that shows off its Italian roots by creating an intriguing story, although not too original, capable of exploiting Sardinian folklore and a credible setting within a highly inspired sensory frame. It works more on a conceptual and visual level than on a strictly playful one, but it is an imbalance that does not excessively affect the pleasure of the experience.
Oct 27, 2022
70
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.
Jan 12, 2023
9
Atmospheric, tension-filled, graphically pleasing. I couldn't stop thinking about this game even when I wasn't playing it; the many mysteries of the village were with me for a while. The controls took some getting used to, but well worth it. I expect to revisit Saturnalia next winter solstice (but on a more forgiving difficulty level). Recommended.
Nov 8, 2022
9
Unique setting, great soundtrack, unusual graphic design, interesting mechanics, fun gameplay - all in one game. I'm not gonna lie and say that everything's perfect - it's not, but it's close, with the only real issue being the controls. These could definitely use some optimization. However, that said, it did not stop me from spending over 40 hours with the game so far and I can only recommend it.
Sep 30, 2025
6
Horror game with interesting style and idea, but for horror it's not scary and more like puzzle game that is based on walking from location to location in small town that changes routes when you loose (all your characters die), weird movement and unclear idea of switching between characters, it felt like I could play with just one and it did't make any difference which is it, so the idea of many characters felt like they are the health bar basically, maybe it makes sense later in the game but I did't went that far.
Nov 6, 2022
4
=======
only worth 5 dollar
======= -very repetitive stealth running like brick simulator, maze lvl design, not scary and game very dark cant see will. -only good atmosphere, music and u can customize difficulty.
Nov 4, 2022
4
Runs like **** on a mid-range GPU. No reason for this, graphics are ordinary. I get it: it's not an action game, but how can I appreciate a game when going around is not fun?
SummaryA game inspired and heavily influenced by the folklore of Sardinia, Italy (a region rich with unique traditions and culture) where you play as four characters, experiencing a deeply connected storyline that ties back to the haunting traditions of an ancient village. Die, and watch the village reconfigure itself into a new form. Solve pu... Read More
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date:Oct 27, 2022
Developer:
Publisher:
