Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Here's a full review of Sacred 3 First Edition on the PlayStation 3:
Sacred 3 First Edition (PS3) Review
The Sacred series has long been associated with deep, open-world action-RPGs with tons of loot and complex character building. But with Sacred 3, the franchise takes a sharp turnditching its ARPG roots for a more linear, arcade-style brawler. The result? A game that may entertain for a few hours but ultimately disappoints fans of the series' legacy.
🧭 Story & Setting
Set once again in the fantasy world of Ancaria, the game pits you against the evil emperor Zane, whos trying to unleash a powerful artifact called the Heart of Ancaria. You play as one of several heroes from different factions, each with their own motivations, but dont expect a deep or emotional story.
The plot is bare-bones and filled with cringe-worthy humor, trying (and failing) to be snarky and light-hearted. Most of the dialogue falls flat, and cutscenes are short and forgettable.
🥊 Gameplay & Combat
Instead of top-down loot-driven gameplay, Sacred 3 offers linear, level-based beat-em-up action:
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You choose a character class (Warrior, Archer, Mage, etc.), each with fixed abilities and limited customization.
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Combat is fast-paced and combo-heavy, with light and heavy attacks, dodges, and special abilities.
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Levels are straightforward and filled with waves of enemies, mini-bosses, and occasional environmental hazards.
At first, the combat is fun and fluid, especially in co-op, but it quickly becomes repetitive. The lack of enemy variety, simplistic level design, and absence of meaningful loot or builds strip away the depth the series was known for.
🎮 Character Progression
Character development is streamlined to a fault:
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You unlock skills as you level up, but there are no stat points or gear choices.
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Upgrades are tied to gold collected in missions.
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Everyone essentially ends up playing the same way by the end.
For fans of Sacred 1 and 2s complex builds and loot systems, this will feel like a betrayal.
👥 Co-op & Replayability
Sacred 3 supports 2-player local and 4-player online co-op, which is where it shines the most. Smashing through hordes with friends can be enjoyable for a whilethough the limited depth means replay value is low once you've finished the campaign.
The First Edition comes with additional content like the Malakhim class and extra missions, which are nice extras but dont fundamentally change the experience.
🎨 Graphics & Performance (PS3)
On the PS3, Sacred 3 looks finenot amazing, but not terrible:
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Environments are colorful but repetitive.
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Character models and animations are smooth, but effects are minimal.
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Performance is stable, with only minor slowdown in intense moments.
It's visually inoffensive but lacks the polish and flair of other games in its genre.
🟢 Final Verdict: 5.5/10
Sacred 3 First Edition is a decent hack-and-slash brawler that completely abandons what made the Sacred franchise unique. It can be fun in short bursts, especially with friends, but its shallow, repetitive, and disappointing for longtime fans. If youre expecting an open-world RPG with loot and deep customization, this isnt it.
Pros:
Smooth, arcade-style combat
Local and online co-op fun
Easy to pick up and play
Some extra content in First Edition
Cons:
Strips away classic Sacred RPG mechanics
Repetitive level design and combat
Poor dialogue and weak story
Minimal character depth and no loot
Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a simple arcade-style hack-and-slash and dont care about RPG depth, Sacred 3 might offer a few hours of co-op fun. But for fans of the franchiseor those looking for a rich RPGthis is a major step back.
