In the realm of gaming, the anticipation surrounding 1348 Ex Voto is palpable. Set against the backdrop of 14th-century Italy, this third-person action game from developer Sedleo invites players into a world of medieval intrigue, featuring sword fights and a compelling narrative centered on Aeta, a young noblewoman and knight-errant grappling with personal loss amidst a plague-ridden landscape.
Upon diving into the game, players will find themselves navigating the challenges of performance on a mid-range setup, specifically with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti graphics card and an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X CPU. Despite the potential of this configuration, Ex Voto struggles to maintain fluidity, particularly at higher settings. At 1440p resolution, the frame rate fluctuates between 20 to 30 fps, with stuttering becoming a frequent companion. Even when adjusting to medium settings, the experience remains less than optimal, prompting a shift to low settings for a more stable 60 fps—albeit with noticeable dips during graphically intense moments.
While the visual fidelity suffers under these constraints, the emotional depth intended through character models is diminished, leading to a somewhat disjointed experience. The game’s strong suit lies in its sword-fighting mechanics, which are both intricate and rewarding. Players can choose between two longsword stances: a faster, less damaging one-handed style, and a slower, more powerful two-handed approach. The combat system is finely tuned, allowing for stylish engagements and the satisfaction of executing perfect parries against foes.
As players progress, they can enhance Aeta’s longsword by discovering various parts that introduce different attributes and fighting styles. The skill tree offers further customization, enabling upgrades to health, guard, and food gauges, essential for surviving longer battles. Additionally, trinkets provide unique gameplay effects, adding another layer of strategy to combat encounters.
However, the game is not without its quirks. Players may encounter bugs, such as characters repeating lines during cutscenes, which can disrupt immersion. While these issues are generally minor and do not derail the overall experience, they highlight a need for further refinement before the game’s official release.
Stick ’em with the pointy end
The combat system remains a highlight, particularly in one-on-one scenarios where players can feel the thrill of stylish swordplay. Yet, the challenge escalates with multiple enemies, where the lock-on mechanic can feel cumbersome, especially in tight spaces. The autosave function introduces another layer of tension, as players may find themselves soft-locked in battles if they fail to gather sufficient provisions.
Despite the engaging combat, the lack of power scaling means that players may find themselves too comfortable by the time they face the final boss, potentially diminishing the challenge that was once exhilarating. Performance issues, while not game-breaking, do affect the overall enjoyment, particularly in chaotic combat situations.
Should you play 1348 Ex Voto?
Play it if…
- You appreciate intricate sword-fighting mechanics and engaging combat systems.
- You enjoy narratives set in historical contexts, particularly medieval themes.
Don’t play it if…
- You are sensitive to performance issues and prefer a smoother gaming experience.
- You require extensive accessibility options, as the game currently lacks in this area.
Accessibility features
Currently, 1348 Ex Voto offers limited accessibility options, primarily focusing on general graphics settings and subtitle availability. The absence of customizable keybinds on PC may pose challenges for some players, highlighting an area for improvement in future updates.
How I reviewed 1348 Ex Voto
My review experience spanned approximately eight hours on a gaming PC, utilizing a Logitech G G715 wireless keyboard and Logitech G703 mouse. I engaged with the main storyline while comparing the visuals and performance to other medieval action titles, such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance. This exploration provided a comprehensive understanding of the game’s potential and areas needing refinement.
