As the Black Death begins its grim march across 14th-century Europe, a new story of honour and sacrifice emerges from the shadows. Italian developer Sedleo, in partnership with publisher Dear Villagers, has officially announced that their cinematic action-adventure title, 1348 Ex Voto, will launch on March 12, 2026.
The game follows Aeta (voiced by Alby Baldwin), a young noble training as a knight-errant. When a brutal bandit raid ravages her village and leads to the kidnapping of her closest companion, Bianca (voiced by Baldur’s Gate 3 star Jennifer English), Aeta finds only an Ex Voto—a religious votive offering—left behind. Clinging to this symbol, she swears a solemn vow to cross a crumbling Italy to bring Bianca home.
A Brutal, Historically Plausible Italy
Unlike many high-fantasy titles, 1348 Ex Voto seeks to ground its narrative in what the developers call “historical plausibility.” The year 1348 serves as a backdrop of absolute chaos, where the plague is a constant, suffocating presence, and rural society is fracturing under the weight of banditry and religious zealotry.
Players will journey through a meticulously recreated landscape, including:
- The Southern Apennines: Beautiful but treacherous mountain passes.
- Tuscan Countryside: Once-golden fields now plagued by conflict.
- The Ruins of Rome: Remnants of a classical world looming over medieval squalor.
HEMA-Inspired Combat
The core of the gameplay is a tactical, skill-based combat system inspired by Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). Moving away from “button-mashing” tropes, Sedleo collaborated with historical consultants and motion-capture actors to ensure every swing of Aeta’s longsword feels weighty and authentic.
- Two Stances: Players must strategically switch between one-handed and two-handed stances to manage speed and power.
- Mastery: Hidden “skill books” scattered across the world allow Aeta to unlock new combos and personalise her swordplay.
Platform and Physical Release
While originally slated for a wider release, the developers confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S version has been cancelled to allow the 15-person team to focus on the best possible experience for PC and PlayStation 5.
For collectors, Meridiem Games will release two physical editions for the PS5:
- Limited Edition: Includes the game and a physical “Letter from Aeta.”
- Golden Edition: Adds a special sleeve and an exclusive art book.
“This story is about who we are allowed to become when the world falls apart,” says Game Director Tom Oceano. “It is a story of honor in a time when that word was losing its meaning.”
1348 Ex Voto will be available digitally on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the PlayStation Store for $24.99 on March 12th.
Find out more here – https://www.1348exvoto.com
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