'Not Gay Enough': The Wild Launch of Medieval Game 1348 Ex Voto
If you’ve been anywhere near gaming circles this week, you’ve probably heard the buzz about 1348 Ex Voto. This medieval adventure, set during the Black Death, promised a gritty narrative experience. Instead, it’s sparked one of the weirdest backlash frenzies in recent memory, with Steam reviews turning into an absolute circus. Players aren't just disappointed; they're furious, and for reasons that'll make you do a double-take.
The complaints from the player base are all over the map, but they generally boil down to a few core issues:
- Clunky, awkward combat: One player described it as "like fighting with a wet noodle."
- A plot drier than a desert summer: For a game set during a pandemic that wiped out half of Europe, it's oddly devoid of any real tension or emotional punch.
- The real kicker: it's "not gay enough." A surprisingly large chunk of the criticism is aimed at the game for failing to deliver on what many perceived as promised LGBTQ+ themes.
This last point is where things get really strange. Word on the street is that the game originally leaned hard into its queer narratives – speculation is rampant that this was done to check boxes for funding or tax incentives. But the final product? Nothing. One reviewer summed it up perfectly: "I was promised medieval gays, and all I got was this lousy plague." Another simply posted, "Where's the damn homosexuality?" and it’s become one of the top-rated comments. It’s a rare instance of a game getting review-bombed not for being too 'woke', but for not being woke enough. The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife.
The critical reception has been just as brutal, with reviewers pointing to disjointed gameplay and a setting that feels utterly wasted. The general consensus is that 1348 Ex Voto is a textbook case of a game that tried to please everyone and ended up pleasing no one. It’s a shame, because the bones of a good game are there. With a tighter script and less clunky combat, it could have been a cult classic. Instead, it's become a cautionary tale.
Will a Golden Edition or Limited Edition re-release save the day? Stranger things have happened, but the devs have some serious explaining to do first. For now, if you're looking for a medieval game that actually delivers on its promises, I'd steer clear. But if you're in the mood for a laugh and want to witness one of 2026’s most baffling gaming controversies firsthand, grab a beer and dive into those Steam reviews. The comments section is an absolute goldmine.