Despite missing its 2021 release, Santa Ragione’s survival horror adventure game Saturnalia is still very much alive. In fact, the developer has unveiled a brand-new gameplay trailer for Saturnalia, which is now aiming for a release later this year on the Epic Games Store, with plans for expansion onto consoles at a later time.
The new gameplay trailer for Saturnalia shows off previously-unseen narrated footage that showcases the game’s setting, story, and gameplay elements, including an introduction to the fictional town of Gravoi, and an explanation of the game’s mechanics. Those mechanics include a reliance on co-operation with other players in order to escape.
Described as a fever dream inspired in equal parts by authentic Sardinian culture and classic Italian giallo horror films, Saturnalia is set in the Italian region of Sardinia, circa 1989. The game’s narrative revolves around a mysterious, centuries-old ritual that occurs every year on the night of the winter solstice in the remote town of Gravoi. The mostly abandoned village has a peculiar thing with shadows, and the monsters that dwell within them. They also just so happen to be after your group of playable characters.
Each of the game’s four playable characters must utilize their unique abilities and confront their own painful memories in order to expose the secrets haunting the town and ultimately escape Gravoi. However, they’ll have to do it without weapons, and relying on light from their matches to evade whatever’s lurking in the shadows. That’ll be difficult, given the ever-changing maze that is this village. Depending on who survives, you’ll be treated to one of the title’s multiple endings.