In 2024, there are probably much better Metroidvanias to play. Having said that, for its time, Salt and Sanctuary was a really fun combination of soulslike and metroidvania mechanics

This game is a good 2D Soulslike that tries too hard to be Dark Souls to it's own detriment.

This game does not hold your hand. It tells you what buttons to press and that's it. NPC's aren't voiced so you have to read everything they tell you - and it's almost always vague as hell. The game has something called a "Creed" system. A Creed is essentially a covenant, and there are a lot of important things relating to Creeds which you need to understand that the game doesn't tell you - like how to fast travel for example. If you're going to be playing this game, I highly recommend reading up on Creeds.

Navigation was one of the absolute worst aspects of this game for me - there is no map, and some of the areas are quite expansive, with multiple connection points to different areas. I hate looking for a certain NPC or area and then screwing around for 40 minutes JUST to find it (and eventually forget where it is...).

Combat is actually quite fun... most of the time anyway. It's like a real 2D Darksouls: Stamina management, Flasks, Dodge Rolls, the whole shebang. There is also an upgrade tree, which I quite like compared to the souls upgrade system. There is also a healthy variety of weapons and armor to choose from - which you can upgrade at a blacksmith.

Sound design was good, albeit feeling a bit recycled at times (the air dash sound is the same as the ghost platform sound for example), Music was... there. Ranging from palatable to down right annoying (that ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ organ at the end woke my cat up in a fright), this one isn't going to win any soundtrack awards.

In conclusion, the game is good. Not my first pick when it comes to 2D Soulslikes, but I enjoyed my time with Salt & Sanctuary. And I recommend that everyone looking for a good Soulslike try this one out. 7.5/10

I love the variety of ways to play the game and the detail and depth of the lore. The game was challenging, but in a good way.

We spent a good amount of time trying to figure out where to go next, which was a pro and a con to me. There is no map so the game may not be for you if you like straightforward paths to where you should go next. But it would be a plus if you enjoy figuring things out for yourself.

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its what got me started on souls likes.

amazing soulslike game. so much variety for builds, replayability, great atmosphere and soundtrack. definitely reccomended

Great 2D Souls-like!
Gives you the feeling of playing Dark Souls 1 as a Metroidvania.
The world and setting is really well made.

I bought this game way back when it first came out and was really excited to play it but I got distracted for 8 years so never played through the game fully until recently. it's not an insanely large game but it's a good 20 hours of content give or take. The bosses at times can feel very unfair but it is a classic example of learn and then win classic GinoMachino style. the achievements aren't too far fetched so perfecting it (if that's what you're into) isn't too annoying.

I just want to take a moment and appreciate the world of this game because this purgatory island idea with all the characters feeling cloudy and confused slowly collecting their thoughts and piecing the "truth" together and I just thought that was quite fun.

If you find this gem in a bundle or on sale I would highly recommend picking it up and actually playing through it.

Best souls like indie game 10/10 saltness and glory