Sacred 3
2014 video game
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Sacred 3 is a 2014 hack and slash brawler, part of the Sacred video game series, despite notable differences in both gameplay and design. Deep Silver, which acquired the license to Sacred 3 from former development studio Ascaron Entertainment, announced at Gamescom that the earliest it could publish the game would be in early 2012.[1] The game was finally released on 1 August 2014. It was met with mixed to negative reception.
| Sacred 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Keen Games |
| Publisher | Deep Silver |
| Series | Sacred |
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Release | |
| Genres | Hack and slash, brawler |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Another side-scrolling action brawler called Sacred Citadel, acting as a prequel to the Sacred 3 story, was released in 2013 to XBLA, PSN and Steam and developed by Southend Interactive.
Gameplay
There are a variety of classes to choose from but those from Sacred 2: Fallen Angel have not returned. They were replaced by the Safiri Warrior and Ancarian Lancer. Some of the environments from the previous game made a return such as Castle Braverock.
Sacred 3 has four player co-op online and offline. Each ally has his or her own distinct set of active and passive skills. Everyone has a small number of abilities to equip at a time to keep the team from getting overpowered and may allow the combining of team powers to give the player additional ways to take down foes.
Plot
Seraphim – guardians of the legendary "Heart of Ancaria" and their sacred bond between its people had kept the land at peace for centuries, but they've since been forgotten. Lord Zane – ruler of the Ashen Empire – allied himself with Demons, striving to open the gates to the underworld. Bound together by the chains of this evil empire, a resistance of Heroes was forged.
Players will need to defeat the oppressive ruler of Ashen Empire, Zane Ashen, and keep him from obtaining a powerful artifact known as the Heart of Ancaria.
Development
Sacred 3 was developed by Keen Games, for the publisher Deep Silver. Shortly following the Gamescom announcement, Deep Silver called for fan feedback on desired features for Sacred 3 in its official community forums.[2]
In an interview, Martin Wein stated: "For the weakness of Sacred 2 I want to mention the Quality Assurance. As a target for Sacred 3 this will be a very important milestone to be taken care of. It's possible to deliver a bug free game." When asked about possible similarities or differences between the sequel and past installments, Wein stated: "We want to keep the charm of the series and you will stumble upon one or another popular character of the prequels."[3]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | (PS3) 55.11%[4] (PC) 58.77%[5] (X360) 51.00%[6] |
| Metacritic | (PS3) 56/100[7] (PC) 57/100[8] (X360) 51/100[9] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 5/10[10] |
| Eurogamer | 5/10[11] |
| GameSpot | 4/10[12] |
| GamesRadar+ |   [13] |
| GamesTM | 6/10[14] |
| GameTrailers | 5/10[15] |
| IGN | 6.5/10[16] |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | 5/10[17] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3/5[18] |
| The Escapist | 3/5[19] |
The game received "mixed" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[9] The Escapist's James Stephanie Sterling wrote that fans of the series could be disappointed and fans of the hack and slash genre would prefer other titles.[20]