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SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2015

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Quick resume

SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition is a humorous and strategic turn-based dungeon crawling ASCII adventure. Drawing heavy inspiration from both Roguelikes and Japanese RPGs, the game offers a robust action-RPG inspired combat system.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and challenging combat system
    • High replayability with multiple classes and builds
    • Engaging ascii art and chiptune soundtrack
    • Humorous and immersive narrative
    • Well-designed crafting and progression systems

    Cons

    • Permadeath can be frustrating
    • Some grind and repetition in gameplay
    • Small community and limited social features
    • Story depth moderate and can be repetitive
    • Ascii graphics may not appeal to everyone

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose classes, builds, and playstyle with many options and customization."

    • Competence
      4

      "Challenging combat system requiring skill, strategy, and mastery; players feel effective when overcoming tough encounters."

    • Competition
      1

      "Includes arena modes with ranked and unranked play, but most gameplay is single-player focused."

    • Continuation
      3

      "High replay value with multiple classes, permadeath mode encourages repeated playthroughs and mastery."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Primarily single-player experience with limited or no multiplayer cooperation."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players can craft items, customize characters, and develop unique builds."

    • Domination
      -3

      "No evidence of dominating others; interactions are mostly solo and balanced."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive old-school RPG experience with humor and narrative that provides strong real-life escape."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players explore many mechanics, combos, and character builds; encourages trying new strategies."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Exploration through events, dungeons, and hidden secrets; discovery is a key element."

    • Expression
      3

      "Character customization and item crafting allow for personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative narrative, humor, and RPG tropes."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Minimal social interaction; mostly solo play with small community."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players learn complex combat mechanics, character builds, and game systems over time."

    • Health
      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of RPGs; no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat and decision making; not a background game."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No evidence of close social relationships; interactions are limited and superficial."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "No leadership roles; gameplay is individual without group management."

    • Progression
      5

      "Strong emphasis on leveling, item collection, crafting, and unlocking new abilities."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Some players find it relaxing, but permadeath and difficulty create tension and challenge."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Chiptune soundtrack and ASCII art provide sensory stimulation; combat excitement adds emotional fun."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through arena rankings, but mostly individual focus."

    • Story
      2

      "Narrative and humor are present and engaging, though story depth is moderate."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Combat and character builds require strategic thinking and planning."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Permadeath and challenging combat create suspense and thrill."

    • Value
      4

      "Highly praised for content and replayability relative to price."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat focused on defeating enemies with various attacks and abilities."

    • Survival
      4

      "Avoiding death is critical; permadeath mode emphasizes survival and careful play."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026