Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sacred: Gold delivers a robust action-RPG experience that blends fast-paced combat with deep character customization. Players can choose from a diverse roster of classes—such as the Valkyrie, the Seraphim, the High Elf, and the Shadow Warrior—each offering unique skill trees and playstyles. The inclusion of both Sacred Plus and the Underworld expansion significantly expands the available quests, dungeons, and loot, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel identical.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Combat in Sacred: Gold feels weighty yet responsive. The game’s real-time battles rely on timing, positioning, and the clever use of abilities. Whether you’re unleashing devastating area-of-effect spells as the High Elf or charging into crowds with the Valkyrie’s whip, each encounter demands strategic choices in gear, skill upgrades, and potion usage. The underworld content adds darker, more challenging encounters that test veteran players’ mastery.

Beyond melee and magic, the game’s itemization system keeps progression addictive. Randomized drops can yield everything from minor stat boosts to legendary artifacts that redefine your build. Sacred: Gold’s economy of buying, selling, and enchanting gear encourages exploration of every corner of Ancaria. The Linux port performs admirably, with smooth controls and no input lag, making it the first opportunity for open-source enthusiasts to dive into this acclaimed saga.

Graphics

Although Sacred: Gold dates back to the mid-2000s, its art direction retains a timeless charm. The game employs a colorful, high-fantasy aesthetic: lush green forests, sun-dappled ruins, and infernal dungeons all feel distinct and richly detailed. Character models are sculpted with an eye for epic proportions, lending an almost mythic quality to both heroes and monsters.

The compilation ships with the original soundtrack and updated textures in Sacred Plus, which polish the visuals without altering the game’s core style. Lighting effects in particular stand out—glowing runes, flickering torches, and magical auras breathe life into otherwise static environments. Even on modern hardware via the Linux release, frame rates remain stable, allowing seamless transitions between open-world exploration and heated battles.

Underworld expands the visual palette with darker, starker vistas: obsidian caverns and blood-streaked cathedrals underscore the expansion’s grim tone. Though the enemy designs lean heavily into gothic horror tropes, the variety of demon spawn, undead knights, and twisted beasts ensures that players constantly encounter fresh, unsettling sights. Sacred: Gold’s graphics may not rival contemporary AAA titles, but their evocative style and solid performance make a lasting impression.

Story

The narrative of Sacred: Gold centers on the mythical land of Ancaria, threatened by demonic forces and internal strife. Sacred Plus enriches the base game’s storyline with additional side quests and NPC dialogue, deepening the lore of warring kingdoms, ancient gods, and hidden artifacts. While the main quest is straightforward—seeking out the source of a demonic plague—the myriad subplots give players context for their heroic deeds.

Sacred: Underworld introduces a darker chapter, plunging characters into an alternate dimension teeming with malevolent entities. This expansion weaves a parallel narrative about redemption, sacrifice, and the blurred line between good and evil. Cutscenes between acts offer cinematic glimpses of tragic backstories, heightening emotional stakes without bogging down the action.

The English localization is clear and engaging, though occasional translation quirks add old-school charm rather than detracting from immersion. Character interactions are memorable—whether trading barbs with a cynical dwarf or negotiating with a celestial guardian. For first-time players on Linux, the story unfolds smoothly, with no text or audio glitches interrupting the flow of events.

Overall Experience

Sacred: Gold is an exemplary compilation that delivers dozens of hours of content in one package. The synergy between the base game, Plus enhancements, and Underworld expansion yields a comprehensive RPG that balances challenge, exploration, and replayability. Newcomers to the series will appreciate the user-friendly UI and helpful quest markers, while veterans can dive into higher difficulty tiers for even greater rewards.

The inclusion of the original soundtrack on the Linux release is a welcome bonus. Orchestral scores range from triumphant fanfares to brooding ambient tracks that elevate each dungeon run. Audio cues—such as the ominous growl of a boss emerging or the triumphant chime when discovering rare loot—add another layer of engagement to this well-rounded title.

On Linux, Sacred: Gold installs seamlessly and runs with minimal setup, thanks to native support in this first-ever port. Performance remains rock-solid, and compatibility with modern controllers expands accessibility. Whether you’re a longtime fan curious about revisiting Ancaria or a newcomer seeking a classic RPG experience, Sacred: Gold stands out as a richly rewarding adventure that remains entertaining years after its initial release.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10