What Happened to 1348 Ex Voto?
1348 Ex Voto is a recently released cinematic third-person action-adventure video game developed by Italian indie studio Sedleo and published by Dear Villagers. Launched on March 12, 2026, for PC and PlayStation 5, the game is set in a plague-ridden 14th-century Italy and follows a knight errant named Aeta on a quest to rescue her kidnapped companion, Bianca. While praised for its ambitious setting and HEMA-inspired combat, initial reviews have been mixed, citing performance issues and repetitive gameplay.
Quick Answer
1348 Ex Voto is a new third-person action-adventure video game that launched on March 12, 2026, for PC and PlayStation 5, with an Xbox version potentially coming later. Developed by Sedleo, it immerses players in a tumultuous 14th-century Italy during the Black Death, where they control knight Aeta on a personal mission to save her friend Bianca. Despite its compelling historical setting and combat inspired by Historical European Martial Arts, the game has received mixed reviews due to reported performance issues and a somewhat formulaic structure, as of its release in March 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Volcanic Eruption Potentially Triggers Black Death Spread
A volcanic eruption in 1345 may have initiated a series of events, including colder, wetter weather, that contributed to the spread of the Black Death across Europe.
Black Death Begins to Spread
The Black Death, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, begins its devastating spread across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, marking the start of a nearly 500-year pandemic.
Black Death Reaches Europe
The Black Death arrives in the Sicilian port city of Messina, rapidly spreading through Italy and subsequently the rest of Europe.
Peak of Black Death in Italy
The year 1348 marks a critical period for the Black Death in Italy, with many cities experiencing between 40% and 80% mortality rates.
Mass Graves in England
Archaeological evidence from Thornton Abbey, England, reveals a mass grave of 48 individuals buried during the 1348-49 plague outbreak, with DNA confirming Y. pestis.
Study on Ex-Votos and Epidemics Published
A study titled 'Plagues and Artistic Votive Expressions (Ex Voto) of Popular Piety' is published, describing the historical role of ex-votos as visible evidence of human suffering during epidemics over 500-600 years.
Black Death Origin Pinpointed to Kyrgyzstan
Researchers announce they have pinpointed the source of the Black Death to a region of Kyrgyzstan, analyzing DNA from remains at an ancient burial site dating to 1338-1339.
Contemporary Ex-Votos Exhibition Opens
The 'Contemporary Ex-Votos—Devotion Beyond Medium' exhibit opens at UNLV, showcasing historic ex-votos alongside new works by contemporary Latinx and Latin American artists.
Contemporary Ex-Votos Exhibition Closes
The 'Contemporary Ex-Votos—Devotion Beyond Medium' exhibit at UNLV's Marjorie Barrick Museum/Harry Reid Center concludes its run.
1348 Ex Voto Release Details Announced
Details regarding the release date, platforms, and gameplay features of the '1348 Ex Voto' video game are widely published ahead of its launch.
Ex-Voto Mentioned in Whitney Biennial
The 2026 Whitney Biennial opens, featuring an artwork that incorporates an ex-voto, reflecting on colonial past and resistance through syncretic visual language.
1348 Ex Voto Game Launch
The video game '1348 Ex Voto' officially launches for PC and PlayStation 5, allowing players to experience its 14th-century Italian setting and HEMA-inspired combat.
Initial Game Reviews Published
Early reviews for '1348 Ex Voto' are published by various gaming outlets, offering mixed feedback on its performance, combat, and narrative.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The term '1348 Ex Voto' primarily refers to a video game released in March 2026, rather than a specific historical artifact from the year 1348. The game, developed by Italian indie studio Sedleo and published by Dear Villagers, is a cinematic third-person action-adventure title set against the grim backdrop of 14th-century Italy during the peak of the Black Death. Players assume the role of Aeta, a young knight errant, who embarks on a brutal journey through a land ravaged by pestilence, political strife, and banditry to find and save her closest companion, Bianca.
The game's narrative is inspired by chivalric tales and explores themes of survival, personal vows, and the harsh realities of medieval life, including the limited opportunities for women during the period. Its combat system is a notable feature, drawing inspiration from Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and utilizing motion-captured performances to create a technical and demanding sword-fighting experience that emphasizes timing, parries, and stance-switching. The visual design aims for a 'memento mori' aesthetic, with stunning landscapes contrasting sharply with the grim reality of the plague, and players exploring abandoned villages, forests, and shrines where historical ex-votos might have been left.
Upon its release on March 12, 2026, for PC and PlayStation 5, '1348 Ex Voto' garnered mixed initial reviews. Critics acknowledged the game's ambitious concept, realistic graphics, and the unique historical setting. However, common criticisms included unoptimized PC performance, uneven sound balance, and a perceived lack of depth in its storyline and gameplay, which some found to be repetitive and formulaic. Despite these criticisms, the game's budget-friendly price point of around $24.99 / £21.99 and the availability of physical editions for PS5 were noted.
Historically, 'ex-voto' refers to a votive offering made in fulfillment of a vow, typically to a saint or deity, in gratitude for a miracle or divine intervention. This practice dates back to ancient pagan beliefs and became prominent in Christian traditions, particularly during times of widespread suffering like epidemics. During the Black Death in the 14th century, people frequently offered ex-votos, often in the form of paintings or sculptures depicting their affliction and miraculous recovery, as a testament to their faith and a plea for clemency. This historical context enriches the game's title, implying the protagonist Aeta's quest is a 'vow' made in a desperate time. The concept of ex-votos continues to be relevant in contemporary art and culture, with exhibitions like the 'Contemporary Ex-Votos: Devotion Beyond Medium' in 2024 and mentions in the 2026 Whitney Biennial highlighting their enduring significance.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if 1348 Ex Voto made different choices?