Sanctum Wars: Ex Infernis is a single-player action-adventure game with dark fantasy and RPG elements set on PC. Players take on the role of Thalor, an elite knight investigating the disappearance of an entire population in the city of Valensbrück after divine protection falters and corruption spreads from ancient horrors.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on deliberate third-person melee combat that emphasizes precision, timing, and stamina management. Weapon-specific movesets reward learning enemy patterns and chaining attacks rather than button mashing. Exploration drives progression through handcrafted areas including abandoned villages, forgotten mines, towering cathedrals, plague-ridden districts, ruined fortresses, and underground catacombs. Environmental storytelling reveals the world's collapse through ruins, corpses, and forgotten prayers.
Faith serves as a key system. Players collect sacred relics, forgotten prayers, and ancient rites that bolster resolve and counter spreading corruption. Decisions during the journey affect both personal strength and the survival of remaining inhabitants. Encounters feature corrupted humans, twisted abominations, and infernal entities, each with distinct behaviors that demand observation and tactical responses. Boss fights test mastery of the combat fundamentals in larger arenas.
Game Modes
The game offers a single-player campaign focused on narrative progression and combat mastery. No multiplayer or co-op modes appear in the available details. The experience unfolds as a linear yet exploratory journey through the first chapter of the Sanctum Wars setting, with emphasis on uncovering the mystery of God's silence via environmental clues and encounters.
Story and Setting
Centuries of divine protection end abruptly when prayers no longer reach Heaven. Ancient horrors imprisoned beneath reality emerge as faith fades and civilization crumbles. Thalor, dispatched from the Ordo Aeternum Lux, enters Valensbrück to investigate the vanished populace. The plot expands into a broader conspiracy involving the order of creation itself. The world draws from Gothic architecture and historical Europe, presented through cinematic sequences, detailed environments, atmospheric lighting, and an original orchestral score.
Is It Worth Playing?
Those drawn to tactical melee systems, dark medieval atmospheres, and exploration-driven storytelling may find the title appealing once released. The combat prioritizes discipline over aggression, while faith mechanics add a layer of resource and resistance management. As an upcoming title with no user reviews available, potential players should monitor developer updates from The Phenix for confirmation of the final feature set and performance on PC. The single-player focus suits individuals seeking a self-contained dark fantasy experience rather than competitive or social play.
