The recently released medieval role-playing game, 1348: Ex Voto, has faced a difficult launch, with peak concurrent players on Steam reaching only 427, and a “mixed” overall user rating. The game, developed by Italian studio Sedleo and published by Dear Villagers, was released in early 2026 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Players have reported numerous bugs and unsatisfactory combat mechanics. However, a particularly striking criticism centers on the game’s simplistic death animation – a mere black screen. This has sparked widespread ridicule within the gaming community.
The game’s development wasn’t without pre-release controversy. 1348: Ex Voto drew debate due to its inclusion of “awakened culture” and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) elements, specifically regarding the design of the female protagonist and her sexual orientation, set against the backdrop of 14th-century history. The development team even publicly responded to criticism, questioning “why you think female characters must be attractive.”
Interestingly, the developers had previously shared content from another medieval game, Knight’s Path, which was perceived by some as a critique of its more conventionally attractive female characters. However, Knight’s Path, which deliberately avoids DEI themes and caters to broader aesthetic preferences, has garnered significant success, boasting over 100,000 players and 350,000 wishlists on Steam. This contrast highlights a clear divergence in character design philosophies and market reception.
1348 Ex Voto centers on Aeta, a knight-errant voiced by Alby Baldwin, who embarks on a quest to rescue Bianca (voiced by Jennifer English) after she is kidnapped during a bandit raid. The game aims to recreate the authenticity of 14th-century Italy, with developers exploring rural Italian landscapes to create “life-like environments.” The narrative is set in 1348, a year marked by societal collapse and the spread of the plague.
Combat in 1348 Ex Voto emphasizes historically inspired techniques drawn from Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), featuring performance-captured swordplay and customizable weapon parts. The game allows players to switch between one-handed and two-handed stances, unlocking latest combos and skills through exploration. This focus on tactical nuance aims to elevate the action beyond typical hack-and-slash gameplay.
The game’s disappointing launch, with a current Metacritic score of 54/100, appears to be linked to both the pre-release controversy and reports of technical issues and outdated combat mechanics. Despite the development team’s hopes that the final version would address concerns raised by the demo released last month, user feedback suggests otherwise, with many describing the game as “heavy.”
The struggles of 1348: Ex Voto underscore the challenges developers face in balancing creative vision with player expectations and navigating increasingly sensitive cultural conversations within the gaming industry.
