Smoke and Sacrifice

Smoke and Sacrifice is yet another worthy entry in the survival genre. While it isn’t the best one, it certainly has a lot going for it and is a still a cracking little title. It has an impressive overarching story which is rare in the genre. Finding new things to make and gathering items is incredibly fun and addictive. The combat system will be a little simple for some and it does have its share of problems, such as an overly finicky inventory menu. But if you are able to see past this you will find a title which has plenty to offer and plenty to enjoy.

If you enjoyed or enjoy games like Don’t Starve and want something like that with a great art style, Smoke and Sacrifice is for you. There’s always a sense of mystery that is nice and the mix of different mechanics works well. The world always seems huge and the game isn’t a short experience. If you’re willing to overlook some of these flaws like the UI problems, you will find a lot to love here. I can’t wait to see this improve over time.

Smoke and Sacrifice is a discreetly crafted survival-game, absolutely canonical in gameplay, enhanced by an intriguing storyline.

Smoke and Sacrifice is an attractive take on the survival genre with a diverting story examining our reliance on fossil fuels and class-dependent economies. Juggling your gear is more finicky than it should be, which is disappointing when inventory management is such a fundamental part of the game. However, if you’re prepared to keep on top of things, and you have the fortitude to brave the oppressive smoke, there’s plenty to enjoy in Sachi’s quest and the core crafting loop.

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite some of the aggravations, Smoke and Sacrifice is a fascinating entry into the Switch lineup, and is worth a look for players pining for a crafting-based action RPG on that system.

Smoke And Sacrifice is by no means terrible, but while its asking price may be lower than other known RPGs and its story is at its core interesting, its gameplay can at times also be just as fundamentally lacking.

Given that Smoke and Sacrifice's end point truly feels like it means something, it's heartbreaking that many will get stuck riding its mundane merry-go-rounds. [Aug 2018, p.110]

Smoke and Sacrifice takes the gameplay loop of survival games and adds meaning with a poignant narrative. It presents a unique and oppressive world to be explored and exploited, but a repetitive and busywork crafting system strips part of the fun.

The characters you meet are entertaining and visually gorgeous, with each having distinct personalities and all feel like a cohesive part of the world. The slow pace and vague directions to progress, however, make the story hard to experience in a satisfying manner. If you’re willing to overlook some tough gameplay elements, Smoke and Sacrifice’s heart beats strong with a gripping and enthralling story. Be warned, though, the barrier to entry could be a potential turnoff.