SKALD: Against the Black Priory

Skald was something that I picked up on a whim, looking for something different from the slop that is modern gaming. I went from Crimson Desert, a technically sound AAA contender, especially in terms of graphics and game design... To this. An under the radar pixel blob game. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. Game had good recommendations. I've been leaning towards indie since Ex33. Went in relatively blind. I was hooked by like level 5. The astronomer's camp scene really hammered it home for me regarding what I just got myself into. This is possibly the most successful Eldritch Horror story I've experienced in a minute. The combat, while not necessarily being particularly innovative was familiar to me as a long time TTRPG GM, but the system was different enough to feel fresh and remained fun throughout the game. What really grabbed me outside of the story was the pixel art, the arcade music, the CRT TV. It lent itself surprisingly well to the mood that the developer(s) masterfully achieved. The nostalgia was top tier and really confirmed something that I have been feeling really strongly about... We're sleeping on indie. Loved this game from start to finish. And for the price of a fancy coffee, its a no brainer.

Very, very good game. Yes, there are many flaws, and I won't go through them. Just try it for yourself. Though I should note that it's very hard to play on Steam Deck, which is disappointing, though on the other side it kept me sticked to the PC for a 14-hour session, which certainly must mean something.

Nice Retro Crpg with difficulty settings which make it managable nowadays. ^^ Also some quality of life features which made playing through it a breeze.