We Love It's Guide to…
Lead varied heroes up Sanctora Mountain in an isometric action roguelite, fighting bosses and growing stronger across repeated runs.
Released 30 Oct 2024
Open Persistent Shortcuts
Shape Builds From Loot
Unlock Skills Through Prophecies
Die. Adapt. Strike back. Climb Sanctora in this brutal Rogue-lite where every death unlocks powers, heroes, and paths to vengeance.
Developed by Three Swords Studio · Published by Ultimate Games S.A., Ultimate Publishing
In the dark-fantasy world of Sanctora, you guide different heroes from their sanctuary toward the mountain’s ruler, Abidan. The journey leads through connected areas and culminates in challenging boss encounters.
Combat combines isometric action with weapon and gear choices, dodging, blocking, and skills. During each run, you collect equipment and choose abilities as you level up, shaping a build around the drops and options available.
The world’s routes and enemy placements are largely fixed, while loot and skill combinations vary between runs. Defeat and repeated attempts contribute to longer-term progression: challenges called Prophecies unlock characters, abilities, items, and other options, while shortcuts you open remain available.
Players who enjoy Heretical often praise exploring its interconnected map, opening shortcuts, and learning routes across repeated runs. Many also like experimenting with different heroes and builds, and find the challenges and lasting unlocks a strong reason to try again. Reviews also frequently flag the rotating camera, uneven balance, and rough movement as drawbacks; opinions on the game’s ongoing development vary.
Die. Adapt. Strike back. Heretical is a punishing Rogue-lite Action RPG with Soulslike DNA. You’re not just fighting to survive - you’re evolving through death. Unlock new characters, master devastating abilities, and rewrite your strategy with every failed run as you ascend Sanctora Mountain to face a merciless demigod.
With deep RPG mechanics, engaging narrative, and countless custom character builds, each run offers a unique experience.
Unlockable Characters: Heretical entices the players to unlock new characters, each with a unique set of skills and proficiencies.
Level-Up Mechanics: The streamlined level-up system allows players to quickly choose which skill to acquire or upgrade, providing seamless gameplay.
Custom Character Builds: The variety of the character’s main stats, additional perks, collected items, and acquired skills brings endless customization options.
Randomized Items: Countless different weapons and gear pieces allow for a unique build in every run.
Prophecy Cards: An achievement system, allowing the player to unlock new game mechanics, skills, and items.
Well of Stars: Enables the player to improve their character’s skills and perks further, adding variety to the unique builds.
Boss Fights: To progress through the game, the player needs to defeat multiple bosses, each with its own skill set.
Although the world of Heretical is based on linear progression, no two play runs are ever the same. Through random item drops, a multitude of skill combinations, and different play styles of each of the heroes, Heretical offers countless variations to the way you venture up to the top of Sanctora Mountain.
Sanctora Mountain, the crown jewel of Aelyndor, now exists in isolation, locked away from the rest of the world. Its ruler, the mighty Abidan, presides over the remaining populace with an iron fist, making sure he retains control over the Sanctorite mines - the source of all magic.
At the same time, a mysterious entity stands cursed and bound to a crumbling church, a reminder of the lost faith. There, he offers guidance to heroes who enter this world looking for absolution.
To enter Abidan's realm, first you have to choose one of the heroes and guide them from the Sanctuary of the Forlorn to the gates of Sanctora Manor. On this path, you'll encounter powerful bosses who will test your acquired skills to their very limits.
Should you fail, use that as a lesson for the next encounter, as well as an opportunity to help your hero permanently unlock powerful skills and unique weapons.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 92 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Website | Official website |
