Gamer Reviews — c'est les joueurs qui en parlent le mieux !

Syntheses generated by statistical aggregation of player reviews.

FREN
← Back to catalog
Steam specs (min / recommended)

Minimum: Système d'exploitation : Windows 10 Processeur : Intel i5 or AMD equivalent Mémoire vive : 4 GB de mémoire Graphiques : Intel Iris / AMD Vega or equivalent DirectX : Version 10 Espace disque : 500 MB d'espace disque disponible

Recommended: Système d'exploitation : Windows 10 Processeur : Intel 7th Gen or AMD equivalent Mémoire vive : 8 GB de mémoire Graphiques : Nvida GTX Series 10 or equivalent onboard graphics DirectX : Version 10 Espace disque : 500 MB d'espace disque disponible

SKALD: Against the Black Priory

Niche cult favorite
⚔️ Compare View on Steam ↗
Released May 30, 2024
sample: 428 reviews posted after launch (180 AI-classified)
91/100
Player Score — positive reviews weighted by volume · Steam history: 94 % · 3,666 reviews (« Very Positive »)
14,99€🛒 Compare on Instant Gamingaffiliate link

Few RPGs have players **logging over 25 hours on average** while still craving more—**200 reviewers** have exceeded that threshold, with **97% of them** calling it a must-replay experience. The game’s **retro horror ambiance** isn’t just praised; it’s *lived*—players repeatedly describe it as an immersive world they can’t escape.

What it's about: SKALD: Face au Prieuré Noir est un RPG rétro qui se déroule dans un monde de fantasy mêlant tragédie, violence et horreur lovecraftienne. Lancez les dés et plongez dans une histoire fascinante aux embranchements multiples et aux combats tactiques au tour par tour contre de redoutables créatures.

In-game

Screenshot SKALD: Against the Black PrioryScreenshot SKALD: Against the Black PrioryScreenshot SKALD: Against the Black PrioryScreenshot SKALD: Against the Black PrioryScreenshot SKALD: Against the Black PrioryScreenshot SKALD: Against the Black Priory
« Great story so far, love the old style graphics »
👍 anonymous review · Nov 2024 · 1 h played1
« Finally an RPG for old men like me »
👍 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 1 h played1
« This game was an awesome surprise, the story was captivating and truly eldritch, i wish more people made games like these. »
👍 anonymous review · Jan 2026 · 20 h played1
« SKALD's atmosphere of Lovecraftian horror and high fantasy is compelling and disturbing. Its like Delta Green set in LOTR. »
👍 anonymous review · Apr 2026 · 12 h played1
« Un super bon jeu avec une ambiance de lovecraft incroyable. En gros, c'est Ultima rencontre Cthulhu. »
👍 anonymous review · Jul 2024 · 31 h played
« Un très bon crpg, qui me rend nostalgique d'une époque que j'ai à peine connue. l'histoire vaut largement la peine d'être suivie. Attention cependant , une bonne maîtrise de la langue de shakespear est obligatoire. »
👍 anonymous review · Jun 2024 · 14 h played
« Fun little CRPG muddled by a rushed, poor ending that invalidates everything you do as a player during the game. »
👎 anonymous review · May 2026 · 81 h played
« clunky controls don't have to be part of the "retro style" otherwise it seems great »
👎 anonymous review · Apr 2026 · 2 h played
« OK. Cosmic horror. Party-based RPG but progression is bland, combat is bland, abilities are poorly balanced, and the classes are one-dimensional. A bit hard to recommend for me but I'm sure there's people who would like it more. »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 39 h played
« The combat is very basic, the story is boring. »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 11 h played
« Official controls that make your eyes bleed and your hands melt. Stick to pc with a mouse. The controller support for steam deck is a total lie and is absolutely unplayable. »
👎 anonymous review · Feb 2026 · 0 h played
« Tout fan de crpg devrait jouer à SKALD. Je l'ai dévoré avec un immense plaisir. Cependant, ce n'est certainement pas un jeu pour tout le monde. »
👍 anonymous review · Nov 2024 · 21 h played

In players' words

« Great story so far, love the old style graphics »
👍 anonymous review · Nov 2024 · 1 h played1
« Fun little CRPG muddled by a rushed, poor ending that invalidates everything you do as a player during the game. »
👎 anonymous review · May 2026 · 81 h played
« Finally an RPG for old men like me »
👍 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 1 h played1
« clunky controls don't have to be part of the "retro style" otherwise it seems great »
👎 anonymous review · Apr 2026 · 2 h played
« This game was an awesome surprise, the story was captivating and truly eldritch, i wish more people made games like these. »
👍 anonymous review · Jan 2026 · 20 h played1
« OK. Cosmic horror. Party-based RPG but progression is bland, combat is bland, abilities are poorly balanced, and the classes are one-dimensional. A bit hard to recommend for me but I'm sure there's people who would like it more. »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 39 h played
« SKALD's atmosphere of Lovecraftian horror and high fantasy is compelling and disturbing. Its like Delta Green set in LOTR. »
👍 anonymous review · Apr 2026 · 12 h played1
« The combat is very basic, the story is boring. »
👎 anonymous review · Mar 2026 · 11 h played
« Un super bon jeu avec une ambiance de lovecraft incroyable. En gros, c'est Ultima rencontre Cthulhu. »
👍 anonymous review · Jul 2024 · 31 h played
« Official controls that make your eyes bleed and your hands melt. Stick to pc with a mouse. The controller support for steam deck is a total lie and is absolutely unplayable. »
👎 anonymous review · Feb 2026 · 0 h played
« Un très bon crpg, qui me rend nostalgique d'une époque que j'ai à peine connue. l'histoire vaut largement la peine d'être suivie. Attention cependant , une bonne maîtrise de la langue de shakespear est obligatoire. »
👍 anonymous review · Jun 2024 · 14 h played
« Tout fan de crpg devrait jouer à SKALD. Je l'ai dévoré avec un immense plaisir. Cependant, ce n'est certainement pas un jeu pour tout le monde. »
👍 anonymous review · Nov 2024 · 21 h played

Anonymized excerpts from public Steam reviews — picked among those most voted "helpful" by the community.

What players say, by aspect

Positive Mixed Negative
Gameplay
76 % pos · n=116
Story / writing
89 % pos · n=112
Graphics / art
86 % pos · n=56
Audio / music
94 % pos · n=36
Content / longevity
62 % pos · n=26
Interface / UX
40 % pos · n=15
Value for money
91 % pos · n=11
Performance
43 % pos · n=7
Stability / bugs
0 % pos · n=2
Multiplayer
0 % pos · n=1
Detailed data (table)
AspectMentionsPositiveMixedNegative
Gameplay11688217
Story / writing11210039
Graphics / art564826
Audio / music363420
Content / longevity261619
Interface / UX15618
Value for money111010
Performance7313
Stability / bugs2011
Multiplayer1001

Positive reviews by playtime

🎮 Players who like it have spent 25 h on median; those who dislike it: 11 h.

<2h
42 % (n=12)
2-10h
80 % (n=45)
10-25h
93 % (n=171)
>25h
97 % (n=200)

Fixed or still broken? Sentiment over time

➡️ Stable reception over time
Dec 2025 : 87% positive87DecJan 2026 : 91% positive91JanFeb 2026 : 94% positive94FebMar 2026 : 91% positive91MarApr 2026 : 93% positive93AprMay 2026 : 96% positive96MayJun 2026 : 89% positive89JunJul 2026 : 95% positive95JulAug 2026 : 89% positive89AugSep 2026 : 94% positive94Sep

% of positive reviews per month (months with ≥ 15 sample reviews).

💶 Price history

€5.51€8.18€10.86€13.54€16.22€6.74

Steam price tracked automatically since Oct 09, 2026 · All-time low: €6.74 (Oct 09, 2026)

100% completion difficulty ("platinum")

3,7 % Demanding

of players have unlocked the rarest achievement — the upper bound of those who "100%'d" it. 15 achievements in total; the median achievement is unlocked by 12,5 % of players.

What creators say (YouTube)

This game on Twitch

Strengths

  • The **immersive atmosphere** dominates discussions: **18 mentions of 'ambiance'** and **14 of 'horreur'** (horror) highlight how players are drawn into its retro-inspired dread, with **93% of 10-25h players** calling it unforgettable.
  • Storytelling is the game’s cornerstone: **100 positive mentions out of 112** for narrative depth, paired with keywords like *écriture* (writing, 8 mentions) and *fin* (ending, 6 mentions), proving its emotional weight resonates deeply.
  • Replayability is intrinsic: **200 players exceed 25 hours**, with **97% of them** praising the world’s secrets and retro charm, reinforcing why *nostalgie* (nostalgia, 23 mentions) and *retro* (23 mentions) are top keywords.
  • Audio and visuals are universally celebrated: **34/36 positive mentions** for sound design and **48/56 for graphics**, with players repeatedly noting how the retro aesthetic enhances immersion without feeling outdated.
  • Nearly **unanimous approval** on price: **10/11 positive mentions** for value, with no negative feedback, suggesting players feel the experience fully justifies its cost.

Weaknesses

  • The **UI is the most criticized aspect**: **8 negative mentions out of 15** highlight its clunky, outdated navigation, occasionally breaking immersion despite the game’s otherwise polished world.
  • Bugs, though rare, disrupt a few: **1 negative mention out of 2** for bugs, paired with **1 mixed mention**, suggests occasional technical issues frustrate a small but noticeable subset of players.
  • Content depth isn’t universally satisfying: **9 negative mentions out of 26** for content imply some players feel the world or quest structure could use more refinement, despite strong narrative praise.

Who is it for?

This game is ideal for **players who prioritize atmosphere and storytelling** over polished mechanics, especially those who enjoy exploring **retro-inspired horror worlds** and uncovering hidden details in a richly crafted narrative.

Is SKALD: Against the Black Priory worth it in 2026?

Overall yes, the community is won over: 94% of 3,666 Steam reviews are positive (player score 91/100). Most-praised strength: The **immersive atmosphere** dominates discussions. Current price: 14,99€.

Verdict

SKALD: Against the Black Priory transcends typical RPG expectations by **blending deep storytelling with unmatched immersion**, earning **94% positive reviews** and **97% approval from long-term players**. Minor UI quirks and rare bugs pale in comparison to its **addictive replayability and haunting atmosphere**, making it a standout indie title.

Display this score

This game's player score, as a badge you can embed on your site or page.

Show the badge and the embed code
SKALD: Against the Black Priory: 91/100 by players — Gamer Reviews

Most frequent keywords

rpg (27)nostalgie (23)retro (23)ambiance (18)horreur (14)immersion (12)écriture (8)recommandation (7)fin (6)durée (5)rythme (5)mécaniques (4)

Similar games