Twinworld Game Reviews

Posts Tagged ‘Ska Studios’

SEATTLE, WA – Dec. 11, 2018 – Salt and Sanctuary, Ska Studios’ brutal hand-drawn 2D Soulslike platformer with over 900,000 downloads, is now available in stores throughout North America as the Drowned Tome Edition, a special physical package for Nintendo Switch published by Leadman Games.

Salt and Sanctuary: Drowned Tome includes a Nintendo Switch game cartridge, a full manual, a double-sided poster featuring the Sodden Knight on one side and a hand-drawn world map of the island on the other, and a download code for the Salt and Sanctuary original soundtrack, all for $29.99.

Following a devastating encounter with an eldritch beast, a single survivor from a condemned ship crew washes ashore. An elderly figure greets them as they wake, referring to this lonesome soul as the Saltborn. Realizing that this is just the beginning of their nightmare, the Saltborn begins the seemingly-impossible task of escaping an island teeming with hellish beasts and vengeful undead.

Weather the storm alone or with a friend via local co-op: Salt and Sanctuary pits its hero, or heroes, against more than twenty cruel and horrifying bosses. Always tough, but never unfair, characters can slay the island’s unsettling abominations however they see fit. Create a character with choosing from a vast pool of weapons, armor, spells, prayers and a massive skill tree that expands upon progression.

After uncovering the haunting past of the land, the Saltborn can return to the island for further punishment. Customize characters to challenge death again and again, as New Game+ breathes new life into weary heroes and every build changes the gameplay entirely. For those interested in a more brutal experience, modes like no blocking, no rolling, and permadeath continue to satisfy the desire for an unforgiving Soulslike experience.

“After so much support and enthusiasm for Salt and Sanctuary, it feels great to be able to bring fans this special physical edition on Switch,” said Michelle and James Silva, co-creators at Ska Studios. “We welcome you to our cursed realm with open arms. And claws. Very, very sharp claws.”

Salt and Sanctuary: The Drowned Tome Edition, published by Leadman Games, is now available for $29.99 via both brick-and-mortar and online retail stores in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Source: PR Email

SEATTLE, Wash. – AUGUST 2, 2018 – Salt and Sanctuary, Ska Studios’ brutal hand-drawn 2D Soulslike platformer with over 800,000 downloads, releases today on the Nintendo Switch with the help of porting specialist BlitWorks.

After a confrontation with an eldritch beast from the dark depths of the sea slaughters a pirate crew, a lone survivor washes ashore. An old man proffers ominous riddles to this person, calling them the Saltborn. Seeking answers, the Saltborn arms themself and sets out across an island haunted by all manner of undead monstrosities.

Create a character, customizing everything from physical appearance to weapon choice, and explore this forgotten land either alone or with another Saltborn via local co-op. Make a character build ranging from a measured, patient swordswoman who cuts only at opportune times to a wicked spellcaster that manipulates the elements to their advantage. Sixteen weapon types, more than fifty sets of armor that offer stats, abilities, and change appearance, and a massive skill tree offer the chance to survive Salt and Sanctuary in near-infinite ways.

The cruel, aberrant creatures that prowl these cursed lands stop at nothing to purge the Saltborn from their territories. Over twenty brutal bosses, from the jawless Queen of Smiles to the dreaded Witch of the Lake, eviscerate interlopers on sight. Cautious adventurers can best these challenges in tough-but-fair combat however they wish. Dodge, block, cleave, and scorch adversaries in hopes of revealing the horrifying secrets of the island and its drowned denizens.

Even after discovering the truth, sinister tribulations provide reasons to play Salt and Sanctuary multiple times. Difficult New Game+ and Challenge Modes including permadeath mean that masochists always have a thrilling trial ahead.”

“Together, we’ve crafted a dark world that both tests and rewards those daring enough to enter,” said Michelle and James Silva, co-creators at Ska Studios. “Welcome, Switch adventurers, to our ghoulish island, where mystery and death loom.”

Salt and Sanctuary is available digitally for $17.99 USD for Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo eShop in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Leadman Games’ Salt and Sanctuary: Drowned Tome Edition for Nintendo Switch will be coming to retail stores this holiday.

Source: PR Email

SEATTLE, Wash. – JULY 25, 2018 – Salt and Sanctuary, Ska Studios’ brutal hand-drawn 2D Soulslike platformer with over 800,000 downloads, comes to Nintendo Switch August 2 with the help of porting specialist BlitWorks.

While sailing across a stormy sea to transport a princess and strike a truce between rival kingdoms, a calamitous encounter with a sinister abomination wrecks the player’s ship. Upon drifting onto the shore, the journey to broker peace dissolves into a struggle for survival on a treacherous island rife with undead.

Whether braving this alone or with a friend via local co-op, the customizable hero, known as the Saltborn, can only persevere by navigating this grim, forgotten bastion. Pressing on and cleaving through anyone or anything that rears its malformed head is the only way forward. Hidden platforming abilities including air-dashing and wall-jumping help the Saltborn find and eradicate more than twenty horrifying bosses all drawn in Ska Studios’ stylized signature art style.

Discovering the truth behind this cursed land necessitates both a keen eye and a bloodlust, but all manner of implements of death await adventurers. All character builds are worthy: a whip-wielding, crossbow-brandishing bandit and sorcerer wreathed in Fire and Sky magic have equal chances of survival. Sixteen weapon types and more than fifty sets of armor that both strengthen the Saltborn and visibly change their appearance can be upgraded with the right equipment. A massive skill tree provides further options for progression.

Battles play out in a tough-but-fair fashion. Every swing of the sword drains stamina, so calculated attacks often win out over desperate flails. Magic wielders have their own tribulations: all of the games’ spells align with either Fire or Sky elements and casting too much of one causes an imbalance that damages the Saltborn. Holy Prayers don’t have an element but offer defensive boosts. Each harrowing skirmish rewards patience.

Multiple endings and New Game+ provide ample reasons to play again. While playing as a different character build alone changes the gameplay entirely, optional challenge runs offer distinct new trials for players still hungering for battle after finishing the story. Modes like permadeath, no blocking, and no rolling alter playstyles and keep Salt and Sanctuary fresh long after the credits roll.

“The two of us wanted to create a Soulslike game that we wanted to play, and finding that so many others who wanted it too warmed our dark little hearts,” said Michelle and James Silva, co-creators at Ska Studios. “Bringing Salt and Sanctuary to the Nintendo Switch means more people who like dismal, satisfying games can play our very dismal, satisfying game.”

Salt and Sanctuary will be available digitally for $17.99 USD for Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo eShop in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Ska Studios is also excited to announce that Salt and Sanctuary: Drowned Tome Edition for Nintendo Switch will be coming to a retail store near you this holiday. More details will be announced soon.

Source: PR Email