Released on 12 March 2026, 1348 – Ex Voto is an engaging indie action-adventure from Italian developer Sedleo and publisher Dear Villagers. Set during the devastating spread of the Black Death across medieval Europe, the game tells a deeply personal story amid one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Drawing clear inspiration from cinematic narrative games such as A Plague Tale and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, 1348 – Ex Voto aims to provide a tightly focused experience rather than an open-ended RPG epic. The developers describe the game as a short but emotionally powerful journey, and that ambition is evident from the moment the narrative begins.
Through the eyes of Aeta, a young knight-errant travelling across plague-ravaged Italy in search of her lost companion Bianca, the game seeks to blend historical atmosphere, grounded sword combat, and character-driven storytelling into a cohesive whole.
The result is a game that may be brief in length but leaves a surprisingly enduring impression.
A Journey Through a Broken World
The narrative of 1348 – Ex Voto is its beating heart.
The year is 1348, the height of the Black Death, when entire towns across Europe are wiped out by the plague. In this depiction of Italy, fear and chaos govern daily life. Bandits roam the countryside, mercenaries exploit the vulnerable, and religious zealots proclaim that the apocalypse has arrived.
Against this bleak backdrop, Aeta begins her desperate quest.
Her goal is simple but deeply personal: find and rescue Bianca, the person she values most. The bond between the two characters forms the emotional core of the story, and their relationship is explored through flashbacks, conversations, and scattered memories encountered during Aeta’s journey.
The writing heavily leans into dramatic medieval storytelling. Dialogue is often solemn, emphasising the emotional weight of the situation. While the narrative occasionally edges towards melodrama, it succeeds in creating a strong sense of urgency and personal stakes.
Medieval Italy Brought to Life
One of the most impressive features of 1348 – Ex Voto is its authentic historical atmosphere.
Instead of portraying medieval Europe as a romanticised fantasy, the game emphasises the brutal realities of the period. Villages are sparsely populated, plague carts roll through city streets, and survivors live under the constant threat of infection.
Players explore a variety of locations inspired by genuine Italian landscapes — from isolated rural villages and hilltop castles to haunting ruins of ancient Roman architecture.
The developers have evidently put considerable effort into capturing the spirit of the era. The environments combine beauty with decay, reminding players that this was once a prosperous civilisation now struggling for survival.
Even the quiet moments of exploration evoke a continuous sense of dread.
Swordplay Inspired by Historical Combat
Combat in 1348 – Ex Voto heavily draws from HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). Instead of relying on flashy fantasy abilities, Aeta’s fighting style focuses on realistic sword techniques. Players can switch between one-handed and two-handed stances, each offering distinct advantages.
The one-handed stance allows for faster attacks and quicker defensive responses, while the two-handed stance delivers slower but more powerful strikes.
This stance system underpins the combat mechanics. Players must adapt their approach depending on the enemy and the situation.
The animations, recorded through performance capture with trained martial artists, give the combat a realistic feel. Sword strikes carry weight, and each encounter demands precise timing.
However, the system is intentionally limited. Battles are often brief but intense, emphasising positioning and reading the opponent rather than complex combos.
Skill Books and Customisation
As Aeta progresses through her journey, she can find skill books hidden throughout the world.
These books unlock new combat techniques and expand her moveset, allowing players to customise their fighting style.
Players can also collect different weapon parts that subtly alter the performance of Aeta’s sword.
While the progression system remains fairly modest compared to larger action games, it offers enough variety to keep combat engaging throughout the story.
The upgrades feel suitable for the game’s grounded tone — improving technique rather than granting supernatural abilities.
A Short but Focused Adventure
At around five to six hours, 1348 – Ex Voto is not a lengthy game.
However, the developers clearly designed it as a tightly controlled narrative experience rather than an expansive open-world adventure.
The pacing reflects this choice. The story progresses steadily without unnecessary distractions.
Exploration is encouraged through small collectable trinkets scattered throughout the environments, but the focus remains on Aeta’s personal journey.
This structure works in the game’s favour. By keeping the scope manageable, the narrative maintains emotional momentum.
Players rarely feel as if they are wandering aimlessly between story beats.
A Cinematic Approach
From a presentation perspective, 1348 – Ex Voto strongly highlights cinematic storytelling.
Cutscenes are meticulously directed, often emphasising character expressions and emotional dialogue. The voice performances help animate the story, particularly Jennifer English’s portrayal of Bianca.
The music and sound design further enhance the game’s dramatic tone. Soft strings and sombre melodies accompany exploration, while combat sequences introduce more intense musical themes.
Together, these elements create an experience that feels more like an interactive historical drama than a traditional action game.
Where the Experience Falters
Despite its many strengths, 1348 – Ex Voto has some flaws.
The combat system, while immersive, can sometimes feel limited. With only two main stances and a relatively small set of abilities, battles may begin to seem repetitive during longer fight sequences.
Furthermore, the game’s short duration might leave some players craving more. Just as the story reaches its most intense emotional moments, the adventure starts to wind down.
Technical performance is generally stable, though occasional animation stiffness can disrupt the cinematic effect.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong narrative with emotional character focus
- Rich historical atmosphere
- Realistic sword combat inspired by HEMA
- Beautiful medieval Italian environments
- Excellent voice performances
Cons
- Short overall playtime
- Combat system lacks long-term depth
- Occasional stiffness in animations
Final Verdict
1348 – Ex Voto is a daring indie project that emphasises storytelling and atmosphere over spectacle.
Its depiction of plague-era Italy sets a haunting scene for a personal story of devotion and survival. Although the combat mechanics are relatively simple, the emotional depth of Aeta’s journey gives the experience its impact.
By focusing on a carefully crafted narrative rather than extensive gameplay systems, the game provides a memorable adventure that feels more like an interactive historical drama than a conventional action game.
For players who enjoy story-driven titles with a strong sense of atmosphere, 1348 – Ex Voto offers a powerful — albeit brief — journey through one of history’s darkest periods.
