They say it takes a village… and when it comes to creating the village of Gravoi, that’s more than true. Saturnalia is a cultural mosaic, inspired in equal parts by cinema, theater and even architecture — as well as classic video games that emphasize survival and exploration. break. The result is a world that is deeply textured and rich in subject matter, a world that reflects a genuine influence on life while ultimately remaining worldly.
Where reality meets surrealism
After the team at Santa Ragione learned that the game would be set in the Italian region of Sardinia – a location not often featured in the media – we understood that we had a responsibility for beautiful languages. and authentic culture of the region. At the same time, our vision is for a horror story with supernatural effects that requires a leap from the real world into something completely different. That’s how Gravoi came to be: a fictional dreamscape that reflects real Sardinia while standing on its own as a different and eerie scene.
The team conducted extensive site reconnaissance across the island, taking countless photos and videos of villages and towns across Sardinia, from the ancient church of Bosa to the abandoned mines of Monteponi. With these resources in hand, we were able to meticulously design the town of Gravoi and its many unique twists and turns.
With the aim of creating a procedurally generated layout that is capable of reorienting itself after certain conditions in the game are met, the designers have worked hard to ensure that each small path and the cobblestone alley both feel different and worth living. The church, façade and architecture that make up Gravoi are both familiar and completely unique. But establishing three-dimensional context is only part of the storytelling process.
Neon-folk effect
Saturnalia’s artistic style attracts many descriptions. Colorful, kaleidoscope, or maybe picturesque? All of these are accurate, but they only begin to explain the depths and spheres of influence that have contributed to Saturn’s defining aesthetic.
From the very beginning, we had very clear inspiration in mind for both the story and the look of Saturnalia: cinema giallo, the classic Italian horror films that rose to prominence in the ’60s and ’70s. creations and innovations from films like Dario Argento and Mario Bava. Renowned for their shocking violence, gripping mysteries, and stylized cinematography, these films have formed the foundation upon which developers can forge their own forays into the horror tradition. long time in Italy.
For the level design, our art director turned to contemporary architecture and dramatic landscapes, especially forms of expressionism and brutalism, the prize is significant. than realism. These crisp geometric patterns combine with palette structure and color treatment to create an immersive world that you can easily get lost in — literally and figuratively.
Saturnalia’s evocative artistic style — dubbed “neon-folk” — is its most immediately appealing feature. But how the game is played is also very important.
Heart of Saturnalia
While the cinematic influence on Saturnalia is considerable, it is first and foremost a video game, one that is deeply connected to the survival-horror and exploration adventure series. Specifically, Shenmue’s rich and detailed world was a huge source of inspiration, as was mystery games like Mizzurna Falls, Enemy Zero, and D2. What all these games have in common is a deeply immersive world that encourages critical thinking and emotional connection to their central stories and characters.
The level design is focused on providing players with multiple paths to achieve their goals, with choices and unique gameplay first priority. Borrowing from the exploratory adventure style, certain areas of the village are not available to the player until certain tools and equipment are acquired. Similarly, the numerous puzzles that are interwoven throughout the game are key to discovering new areas and secret passages throughout Gravoi.
The result is a maze structure that feels like walking through a complex maze. In the absence of daylight, the player’s management of their matches is crucial to keeping out the dark… and the creature’s attention follows their every move. This maze has a monster inside, and avoiding its clutches is a priority for any soul brave enough to explore the village.
But Saturnalia is not focused on combat. Stealth and dodging are the player’s primary tools, as are the unique abilities of each of the four co-protagonists. Using these abilities goes hand in hand with revealing more of each character’s personal motives and desires: in Saturnalia’s world, story and gameplay are intertwined. The only way for a player to progress is to learn which character is best used for any given situation or puzzle.
Even so, everyone who plays Saturnalia will enjoy a unique experience. Being able to complete the story without uncovering every last detail, leverages replayability and alternative strategies. The discoveries players make — as well as the order in which certain events are resolved — can affect the ending. Ultimately, this speaks to one of our key pillars in designing the Saturnalia: an emphasis on player agency. You can choose how you want this story to play out.
With that in mind, only one question remained.
Do you dare to participate in the ceremony?
The team here in Santa Ragione are perfecting the game and we can’t wait for you to play. Saturnalia launches for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on October 27, 2022.
