Sacred 2 Remaster Launched by THQ Nordic Amid Mixed Reviews

Vienna, Austria – THQ Nordic has launched a remastered version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, a well-known action RPG first released by Ascaron in 2008. This remaster comes nearly 15 years after the original, which was a prequel to the first Sacred game released in 2004.

The remastered version is aimed at both fans of the original and new players. It allows users to experience a world set 2,000 years before the first game. Players can choose from one of seven classes and engage in online, local multiplayer, or single-player campaigns.

While Sacred 2 is reminiscent of games like Diablo 2, it offers a unique storyline similar to World of Warcraft, with fantasy classes such as the High Elf and Dryad. The game features a large open world and minimal loading times, but early reports suggest some features from the original may be missing.

According to THQ Nordic, the remaster has faced challenges including an incomplete codebase and missing source files from the original release. Consequently, the multiplayer features are limited, available only on PC. Console users will not have the option for couch co-op, and player-versus-player modes have been removed.

Despite these limitations, the remaster enhances the graphics, supports controllers, and refines combat mechanics. Players who purchase the remaster will also receive a copy of the original Sacred.

A recent developer diary featuring Franz Stradal, one of the series’ original creators, hinted at future plans for Sacred. Stradal stated, “Sacred is now back, but it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning…there are so many things we have planned for Ancaria’s future, and we have so many stories to tell.”

However, as of now, THQ Nordic has not confirmed any specific projects. While there was a Sacred 3 developed by Keen Games and a side-scrolling action brawler titled Sacred Citadel, Stradal was not involved with them.

Many fans hope that if Sacred 2 Remaster meets sales expectations, it could pave the way for a new Sacred 3 that aligns with the series’ core action RPG elements, or possibly a full remake of the first Sacred game.

Unfortunately, early reviews on Steam have been mostly negative, with players reporting bugs and crashes. It remains to be seen if THQ Nordic can address these issues to revive the series effectively.