Difference between revisions of "Sacred"
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|winehq = 1898 | |winehq = 1898 | ||
|license = commercial | |license = commercial | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Introduction | ||
+ | |introduction = '''''Sacred''''' is a {{Glossary:Fantasy}} {{Glossary:ARPG}} game developed by [[Company:Studio II Software|Studio II Software]] with {{Glossary:Singleplayer}} and {{Glossary:Multiplayer}} content. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |release history = The game started development around the year 2000 as '''''Armalion: Realms of Arcania''''', a game set in the ''[[Series:The Dark Eye|The Dark Eye]]'' universe by the studio [[Company:Ikarion Software|Ikarion Software]]. After the staff moved to the newly formed Studio II Software (wholly owned by [[Company:Ascaron Entertainment|Ascaron Entertainment]]) in 2001 after Ikarion had bankrupted, the project abandoned the ''Dark Eye'' universe and was briefly renamed to ''''' L.O.R.D.: Lands of Raising Demons''''' before finally settling on '''''Sacred'''''. After launching in February 2004, the game received a major free update (patch 1.7/1.8) in September 2004 called '''''Sacred Plus''''' which included new quests, regions, enemies and improvements to existing content and interface. A full expansion called '''''Underworld''''' was released in March 2005, featuring two new classes and an entirely separate campaign set after the events of the base game. Around the same time, the '''''Gold''''' edition was released containing all aforementioned content and became the most widely available version of the game. The final patch for ''Underworld'', 2.28, was released in November 2006, ending over half a decade of development on the game. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Digital publishing rights were claimed by [[Company:Strategy First|Strategy First]] in 2008, who had released the game on [[Store:Steam|Steam]] and [[Store:GOG.com|GOG.com]], until the rights were transferred to [[Company:THQ Nordic|THQ Nordic]] in February 2022, consolidating the copyright over the IP for the first time since the Ascaron/Studio II bankruptcy of 2009. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |current state = On modern systems, the game does not suffer from any major issues, save for the absence of 3D audio support which can be restored by [[#3D audio effects option disabled|using IndirectSound]]. [[#High-resolution rendering|Unofficial community patches]] have become an essential part of present-day installations, as they include full widescreen support and optional quality-of-life improvements, but were only made with ''Underworld'' / ''Gold'' in mind, as the latter is the most widely available release and the only remaining digital version of the game. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The official multiplayer service by TinCat was shut down, but a [https://github.com/Alby1987/SacredAncariaConnection community-run alternative] is available - a live instance used to be hosted by the author, but is no longer online, though it is possible to compile a new one using the source code. | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.sacred-tribute.com/ Sacred Tribute] - a fansite with archives and resources from the ''Sacred'' franchise | ||
+ | {{mm}} [http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/SacredWiki SacredWiki] - a community-maintained wiki about ''Sacred'', ''Sacred Underworld'' and ''[[Sacred 2: Fallen Angel]]''. | ||
+ | {{mm}} [http://pctalk.info/Games/Sacred2/Wolfes.Lair/SacredUnderworld/SacredUnderworldHome.htm Wolfe's Lair (archive)] - fansite with walkthroughs and tips for ''Sacred'' and the ''Underworld'' expansion | ||
{{GOG.com links|1207658688|sacred_series|for game series}} | {{GOG.com links|1207658688|sacred_series|for game series}} | ||
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/12320/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions] | {{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/12320/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions] | ||
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− | |||
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==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
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# Open {{file|Settings.cfg}} | # Open {{file|Settings.cfg}} | ||
# Set <code>GFX_LIMIT128 : 1</code> to 0 | # Set <code>GFX_LIMIT128 : 1</code> to 0 | ||
− | # Save the changes and close the file | + | # Save the changes and close the file. |
}} | }} | ||
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{{ii}} Will stretch graphics horizontally, altering the original aspect ratio. | {{ii}} Will stretch graphics horizontally, altering the original aspect ratio. | ||
# Download [[dgVoodoo 2]] | # Download [[dgVoodoo 2]] | ||
− | # Copy the three {{file|.dll}} files from the {{ | + | # Copy the three {{file|.dll}} files from the {{folder|MS\x86}} folder and the dgVoodoo executable into {{folder|{{p|game}}}} |
# Open the dgVoodoo executable from the game folder and click the <code>.\</code> button | # Open the dgVoodoo executable from the game folder and click the <code>.\</code> button | ||
# In the <code>DirectX</code> tab, set Resolution to the monitor's native one and untick 'dgVoodoo Watermark' | # In the <code>DirectX</code> tab, set Resolution to the monitor's native one and untick 'dgVoodoo Watermark' | ||
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{{Fixbox|description=Use the Sacred Ancaria Connection|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Use the Sacred Ancaria Connection|fix= | ||
{{++}} The project is open source, with a GitHub repository [https://github.com/Alby1987/SacredAncariaConnection here]. | {{++}} The project is open source, with a GitHub repository [https://github.com/Alby1987/SacredAncariaConnection here]. | ||
− | # Download the latest version of the [https://sac.s2cm.net/ Sacred Ancaria Connection] client. | + | <!-- no longer online: # Download the latest version of the [https://sac.s2cm.net/ Sacred Ancaria Connection] client. --> |
+ | # Download and compile the code. | ||
# Execute it before launching Sacred. | # Execute it before launching Sacred. | ||
# In the game options, select "Modem/ISDN" as the network speed setting. | # In the game options, select "Modem/ISDN" as the network speed setting. | ||
− | # Go to the LAN menu and | + | # Go to the LAN menu and check for any servers to come up. |
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Issues fixed== | ||
+ | ===Stop flickering load screens with Nvidia GPU=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use [[dgVoodoo 2]]|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} To avoid a DirectX error on startup when also using PureHD, set '''Scaling''' to '''Unspecified'''. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Game stuck at loading screen=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Opening Sequence plays, then it starts loading, and then it gets to Fonts and freezes. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Run {{file|Config.exe}} and force 32-bit color depth.|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===3D audio effects option disabled=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Install IndirectSound|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Download and extract [https://www.indirectsound.com/ IndirectSound] | ||
+ | # Copy the two files, {{file|dsound.dll}} and {{file|dsound.ini}}. | ||
+ | # Paste into {{folder|{{p|game}}}}. | ||
+ | # Run the game, and choose 3D effects in the sound settings. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Windows key interference=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} The {{key|Windows}} key, when accidentally pressed, minimizes the game, causing it to freeze. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use AutoHotkey|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Install the program. | ||
+ | # Create a text file with the line <code>LWin::return</code> and save it as an {{file|.ahk}} script. | ||
+ | # Execute the script by double-clicking on it before running the game. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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{{API | {{API | ||
|direct3d versions = 7 | |direct3d versions = 7 | ||
− | |direct3d notes = | + | |direct3d notes = |
|directdraw versions = | |directdraw versions = | ||
|directdraw notes = | |directdraw notes = | ||
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{{ii}} Requires [[#Version differences|Sacred Gold]]. | {{ii}} Requires [[#Version differences|Sacred Gold]]. | ||
{{++}} Changes in the overall balance, bosses, heroes, items, their drop, game mechanics and makes small, but significant changes in the game's world. | {{++}} Changes in the overall balance, bosses, heroes, items, their drop, game mechanics and makes small, but significant changes in the game's world. | ||
− | {{++}} | + | {{++}} Does not affect the original executable, provides own widescreen support and is compatible with most language versions. |
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==System requirements== | ==System requirements== |
Revision as of 15:01, 1 June 2023
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|
Developers | |
---|---|
Studio II Software | |
Expansion | Kritzelkratz 3000 |
Publishers | |
Physical (Europe) | Take-Two Interactive |
Physical (Spain, Italy) | FX Interactive |
Physical (North America) | Encore |
Linux | Linux Game Publishing |
Digital (2008-2022) | Strategy First |
Digital (2022-present) | THQ Nordic |
Release dates | |
Windows | February 27, 2004 |
Linux | April 9, 2009 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 74 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view, Isometric |
Controls | Point and select |
Genres | ARPG |
Themes | Fantasy |
Series | Sacred |
Sacred | |
---|---|
Sacred | 2004 |
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel | 2008 |
Sacred Citadel | 2013 |
Sacred 3 | 2014 |
Sacred is a fantasy ARPG game developed by Studio II Software with singleplayer and multiplayer content.
The game started development around the year 2000 as Armalion: Realms of Arcania, a game set in the The Dark Eye universe by the studio Ikarion Software. After the staff moved to the newly formed Studio II Software (wholly owned by Ascaron Entertainment) in 2001 after Ikarion had bankrupted, the project abandoned the Dark Eye universe and was briefly renamed to L.O.R.D.: Lands of Raising Demons before finally settling on Sacred. After launching in February 2004, the game received a major free update (patch 1.7/1.8) in September 2004 called Sacred Plus which included new quests, regions, enemies and improvements to existing content and interface. A full expansion called Underworld was released in March 2005, featuring two new classes and an entirely separate campaign set after the events of the base game. Around the same time, the Gold edition was released containing all aforementioned content and became the most widely available version of the game. The final patch for Underworld, 2.28, was released in November 2006, ending over half a decade of development on the game.
Digital publishing rights were claimed by Strategy First in 2008, who had released the game on Steam and GOG.com, until the rights were transferred to THQ Nordic in February 2022, consolidating the copyright over the IP for the first time since the Ascaron/Studio II bankruptcy of 2009.
On modern systems, the game does not suffer from any major issues, save for the absence of 3D audio support which can be restored by using IndirectSound. Unofficial community patches have become an essential part of present-day installations, as they include full widescreen support and optional quality-of-life improvements, but were only made with Underworld / Gold in mind, as the latter is the most widely available release and the only remaining digital version of the game.
The official multiplayer service by TinCat was shut down, but a community-run alternative is available - a live instance used to be hosted by the author, but is no longer online, though it is possible to compile a new one using the source code.
General information
- Sacred Tribute - a fansite with archives and resources from the Sacred franchise
- SacredWiki - a community-maintained wiki about Sacred, Sacred Underworld and Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.
- Wolfe's Lair (archive) - fansite with walkthroughs and tips for Sacred and the Underworld expansion
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | ProtectDISC Software DRM for English, German and Italian releases. StarForce 3 DRM[Note 1] for Chinese, French and Russian releases. Custom DRM code may sabotage the game by sending the player to the Mal-Ork-A island from which there is no exit. |
|||
GamersGate | Sacred Plus | |||
GamersGate | Sacred Gold | |||
![]() |
Sacred Gold | |||
GOG.com | Sacred Gold. Serial keys for multiplayer available by request to GOG support team.[5] | |||
Green Man Gaming | Sacred Gold | |||
Humble Store | Sacred Gold | |||
Steam | Sacred Gold. Does not provide multiplayer serial keys. | |||
ZOOM Platform (unavailable) | Sacred Gold |
- StarForce DRM for this game does not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected versions).
- A free demo version is available from ModDB.
Version differences
- Sacred - the original game, released in February 2004
- Sacred Plus - Free expansion pack released in October 2004 as part of the 1.7 and 1.8 patches for the base game. It adds 2 regions, monsters, quests, items.
- Sacred Underworld - Expansion pack released in April 2005. It adds 2 player characters (Daemon and Dwarf), 6 regions, 2 acts, new monsters and items.
- Sacred Gold - Released in August 2005, includes the base game and both expansions.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes new classes, items and a separate campaign. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Sacred Plus | Distributed in 1.7 and 1.8 official patches for the base game for free. | |
Sacred Underworld | Files released as free download for Italian and Spanish releases by FX Interactive in 2006, requiring an SMS message request for a serial key.[6][7] |
Essential improvements
Patches
- The latest patch for Sacred is 1.8.26 (Dec 2004) - which upgrades it to Sacred Plus. It is available here.
- The latest patch for Sacred Underworld / Gold is 2.28 (Nov 2006). It is available here. It is already included in the digital releases.
Improve performance
Force Vsync off; see Disabling Vertical sync (Vsync) |
---|
Remove the default 128 VRAM limit |
---|
|
Use dgVoodoo 2; see High-resolution rendering |
---|
Skip intro videos
Delete/rename video files[8] |
---|
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\SETTINGS.CFG[Note 2] |
Linux | |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/12320/pfx/[Note 3] |
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\save[Note 2] |
Linux | |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/12320/pfx/[Note 3] |
- Saved games are
GAME**.PAK
; saved heroes arehero**.pax
.
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
GOG Galaxy | ||
Steam Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | 1024x768 by default. See High-resolution rendering. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | Enable with HD mod and dgVoodoo 2 | ||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | Set in launcher. | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See High-resolution rendering. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | FSAA on/off. See High-resolution rendering. Forcing MSAA/CSAA externally may introduce severe grid-like visual artifacts. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | To disable, see Disabling Vertical sync (Vsync) | ||
60 FPS | Low performance when zoomed out. See Improve performance. | ||
120+ FPS |
High-resolution rendering
Download and apply dgVoodoo 2 |
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|
Use Sacred NL or PureHD |
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|
Disabling Vertical sync (Vsync)
Force Vsync off |
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|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Controller types |
---|
Hotkeys for Combat Arts
There is an undocumented feature of using hotkeys for Combat Arts, so as not to be limited to the default five slots in the game. In the combat arts menu, hover over a power and press one of the F1-F6 keys. It will now be selected when pressing that key.[9]
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | SFX, Speech, Music. | |
Surround sound | Requires ALchemy | |
Subtitles | Plot dialogue and quests are always shown in text; brief character acknowledgements and taunts are not subtitled. | |
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | Unknown version, supported by ALchemy. | |
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | US English release removes blood effects, unlike the European and Oceanian English-language releases; digital releases use the non-US version. | |||
Simplified Chinese | Retail only. | |||
Traditional Chinese | Retail only. | |||
Czech | Retail only. | |||
French | Retail and GOG.com only. | |||
German | Retail only; download for digital releases. | |||
Italian | Retail only. | |||
Japanese | Retail only. | |||
Polish | Retail only; download for digital releases | |||
Brazilian Portuguese | For Sacred Gold only; download. | |||
Russian | Retail and GOG.com only. | |||
Spanish | Retail only; download for digital releases. |
Network
- Online features require a product key. For the GOG.com version, the key is available by submitting a multiplayer key request.
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 16 | |||
Online play | 16 | The official TinCat service has been shut down; see Multiplayer connectivity without VPNs for a workaround. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | Use GameServer.exe in the installation folder. |
|
Direct IP |
Multiplayer connectivity without VPNs
Use the Sacred Ancaria Connection |
---|
|
Issues fixed
Stop flickering load screens with Nvidia GPU
Use dgVoodoo 2 |
---|
|
Game stuck at loading screen
- Opening Sequence plays, then it starts loading, and then it gets to Fonts and freezes.
Run Config.exe and force 32-bit color depth.
|
---|
3D audio effects option disabled
Install IndirectSound |
---|
|
Windows key interference
- The ⊞ Win key, when accidentally pressed, minimizes the game, causing it to freeze.
Use AutoHotkey |
---|
|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 7 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows | |||
Linux | Sacred Gold had a Linux release in 2009 (by Linux Game Publishing). |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | Windows Media Video 9 | |
Multiplayer | TinCat |
Modifications
ReBorn HD
- The biggest and most elaborate balance mod for Sacred.
- Requires Sacred Gold.
- Changes in the overall balance, bosses, heroes, items, their drop, game mechanics and makes small, but significant changes in the game's world.
- Does not affect the original executable, provides own widescreen support and is compatible with most language versions.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 98 SE, ME | 2000, XP |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium III 800 MHz | AMD Athlon 1.4 GHz or higher Intel Pentium 4 |
System memory (RAM) | 256 MB | 512 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | 16 MB of VRAM DirectX 8 compatible | 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9 compatible |
Sound (audio device) | DirectX compatible |
Linux | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 2.2.x or better Linux kernel with glibc-2.1 or later and X-Windows (XFree86 3.3.x or later) | |
Processor (CPU) | 1.0 GHz x86 | |
System memory (RAM) | 256 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 3.7 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Hardware Accelerated 3D Graphics card 32 MB of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ This version of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows Vista or later.[1][2][3][4] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details). - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (12320) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ Windows Vista support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 7 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Sacred Gold - Multiplayer issue - CD Key - last accessed on 2021-06-13
- ↑ SACRED - La leyenda del Arma Sagrada - last accessed on 2021-06-13
- ↑ SACRED - EDIZIONE ORO - last accessed on 2021-06-13
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-10-11
- ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/12320/discussions/0/2788173147755231429/?l=english