Mid-game opinion: Salt and Sanctuary

May 25, 2016

Cloning done right

I'm playing through the indie A-RPG Salt and Sanctuary for an upcoming review. For those who don't know about it, it's a 2D blend of From Software's Souls games and Metroid. It copies the former all but to a T, utilizing just about every element and feature found in the last few Dark Souls entries. The games both have a ridiculous number of similarities.

I know, straight ripoffs can come off as lazy. Just look at The Wonderful End of the World (an indie Katamari ape). However, I think Ska Studios' devotion to recreating the Souls experience in 2D is not only spot on, but commendable. I mean, even tiny details like scaling, stamina costs and balance are done perfectly like the game's source material.

My only complaint thus far is one bug (or perhaps it's my system that's to blame) wherein the game minimizes out of nowhere. It only happens about once or twice per long session, but it's occurred to me in the midst of battle. When you're fighting a really tough enemy, it's downright frightening.

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Feedback

EmP - May 26, 2016 (06:50 AM)
Ska are a little gem of a company. Any developer who makes a game featuring an AK-47 that fires kittens and is pure overkill is OK in my books.

JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:26 PM)
I don't recall losing everything in Dark Souls when, aside from experience.

JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:26 PM)
*when dying

JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:56 PM)
It's pretty much like Dark Souls. You don't lose items when you die, but you do lose experience (which you can regain by killing the enemy that killed you or defeating an "otherwordly creature" if you die via trap (pitfall, etc).

I've played through Demon's and the first two Dark games. I don't remember losing any items when dying, and actually was actually thankful that you didn't. I remember grabbing some new duds and weapons, then dying right afterword. The only thing you really lose is experience and some of your max HP, but you can regain those (although if you die twice in a row, your experience is lost).

Feedback
	EmP - May 26, 2016 (06:50 AM) Ska are a little gem of a company. Any developer who makes a game featuring an AK-47 that fires kittens and is pure overkill is OK in my books.
	JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:26 PM) I don't recall losing everything in Dark Souls when, aside from experience.
	JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:26 PM) *when dying
	JoeTheDestroyer - May 26, 2016 (09:56 PM) It's pretty much like Dark Souls. You don't lose items when you die, but you do lose experience (which you can regain by killing the enemy that killed you or defeating an "otherwordly creature" if you die via trap (pitfall, etc). I've played through Demon's and the first two Dark games. I don't remember losing any items when dying, and actually was actually thankful that you didn't. I remember grabbing some new duds and weapons, then dying right afterword. The only thing you really lose is experience and some of your max HP, but you can regain those (although if you die twice in a row, your experience is lost).

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