GamesRPGThis Lovecraftian horror CRPG is a love letter to Ultima and D&D classics, and even Baldur’s Gate 3’s director is raving about it: “This is one I’ve been waiting for"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGThis Lovecraftian horror CRPG is a love letter to Ultima and D&D classics, and even Baldur’s Gate 3’s director is raving about it: “This is one I’ve been waiting for"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
SKALD: Against The Black Priory âï¸Launch Trailer âï¸ - YouTubeWatch On
SKALD: Against The Black Priory âï¸Launch Trailer âï¸ - YouTube
SKALD: Against The Black Priory âï¸Launch Trailer âï¸ - YouTube
“Take a chance and roll the dice as you embark on a compelling story filled with deadly creatures, branching story and tactical, turn-based combat,” reads the Steam description.
Shortly after release, Vincke shared his own enthusiasm for the project, although it’s unclear if he’s booted it up just yet. Regardless, I can only imagine how much of a confidence this tweet is for developer High North Studios.
This is one I’ve been waiting for! I have nothing but respect for the ambitions here and I love how it looks. https://t.co/WBVF6Gb9eVMay 30, 2024
This is one I’ve been waiting for! I have nothing but respect for the ambitions here and I love how it looks. https://t.co/WBVF6Gb9eVMay 30, 2024
Admittedly, the games that inspired Skald are a little before my time, but I did put literal thousands of hours into Ultima Online in my childhood, and I’ve since developed a real appreciation for the series more generally and, of course, Baldur’s Gate with last year’s entry being one of my favorite games of 2023. Throw in some cosmic horror, not to mention a number of handy quality of life modernizations, and it’s no surprise this indie sleeper has its hooks in me.
It was clear after playing for just a couple of hours that Skald is something special, with a depth to the storytelling, gameplay, and graphics engine that belies its $15 price tag. Trudging through grueling tactical battles and consuming mountains of text-based lore reminds me that gamers from the Gold Box generation of RPGs were just built different, and although I’ve gotten myself lost in a few caverns, I’m totally absorbed in the fleshed-out world, focused story, and Lovecraftian atmosphere. And yes, there’s an optional CRT filter in case you justneedscanlines for immersion.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”