1348 Ex Voto Preview: Another Potential AA Hit Emerges

While the AAA gaming space is currently being dominated by cancellations and controversies, AA studios are thriving. To see that in action, you need look no further than Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; Blades of Fire and Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream are two additional examples I’ve personally enjoyed as of late. It’s a space within the industry where creativity and ambition can exist hand in hand without financials or stakeholders driving key decisions. And it’s from within this realm that the hugely promising 1348 Ex Voto now emerges.

1348 Ex Voto is an upcoming third-person action-adventure title developed by new Italian studio Sedleo that’s set to launch in 2026. It centres around Aeta, voiced by Alby Baldwin, a young knight errant who must set out on a brutal journey within 14th century Italy to find and save “her closest one” Bianca, voiced by Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur star Jennifer English. I quote the synopsis here only because, at this stage, I’m unsure of whether the connection is platonic, familial, or romantic.

What I can tell you, however, is that I recently had the opportunity to attend a hands-off presentation of 1348 Ex Voto at this year’s Gamescom in which I witnessed an early portion of the title as I spoke to game director Tom Oceano and executive producer Fabiola Vivienne Martelli, who both co-founded Sedleo. The excitement and passion that the duo boasted for the game was palpable and was, in fact, matched by my own. As someone who’s drawn in by a game’s storytelling above all else, I can tell you that 1348 Ex Voto has safely secured a spot on my list of most anticipated titles as 2026 looms near.

1348 Ex Voto, Credit / Dear Villagers

Taking inspiration from franchises like The Last of Us, 1348 Ex Voto is a game with an incredibly cinematic presentation. Admittedly, that was aided by the fact that the title lacked any obvious UI as I witnessed an early build, but I mention this only to emphasise just how engrossed I rapidly became in Aeta’s plight. In the early scenes of the title, Aeta made her way through her local town, seeking out Bianca amidst sudden chaos, fending off those who stood in her way.

Much like in the aforementioned Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the power of Unreal Engine 5 has very much been taken advantage of here. Medieval Italy is best described by devs as a “a cradle of political strife and rural exodus” where “banditry, mercenaries, and religious zealots run amok while pestilence festers”, and the art direction reflects that. 1348 Ex Voto doesn’t exactly zing to life in glorious technicolour; it’s dark, gritty, and - at least in the opening - enveloped by a suffocating haze that only heightens the intensity of Aeta’s circumstances. There was almost a feeling of Games of Thrones’ famed ‘Battle of the Bastards’ tonally.

When it comes to combat, that’s inspired by historical European martial arts and comes in the form of extensive swordplay. Players, as Aeta, will switch between a one-handed and two-handed stance. The one-handed stance is more agile but less powerful, while the two-handed stance is slower but packs more of a punch. Throughout the story, new combos will unlock while players will also find parts allowing them to upgrade their sword. As such, dodging and parrying will also come into play but don’t let the word ‘parry’ frighten you. This isn’t a soulslike. Should you fail in combat, devs assured me that you’ll simply reset before the encounter. The emphasis here is on story, with the combat seeking to serve and feed into that; there’s no aspect of 1348 Ex Voto that’s gruelling for the sake of it.

1348 Ex Voto, Credit / Dear Villagers

I was also told that 1348 Ex Voto is a linear experience, albeit with optional side content to supplement the experience. Locked rooms, for example, are one such example with those who wish to figure out how to unlock them rewarded for their skill and patience.

There’s so much about 1348 Ex Voto that I still don’t know. For example, there’s plenty of mystery surrounding Aeta and Bianca’s predicament, including their relationship to one another, and I’d love to see how the game’s enemies intensify as players progress through the story which will take you from small towns to castles and rural mountainsides. Already, however, it’s clear to me that Sedleo has the makings of an exciting game. A promising combat system, stellar voice talent, an intriguing story, and a badass female knight all wrapped up within a cinematically presented package? It’s secured my interest.

1348 Ex Voto is due to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.