In a gaming landscape reshaped by the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, Solasta II arrives with a unique position, poised to attract attention that its predecessor, Solasta: Crown of the Magister, missed back in 2021. While Crown of the Magister received positive reviews, it struggled to achieve mainstream success. However, with a growing interest in tabletop role-playing games, Solasta II stands to capture players who enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3 but seek a more authentic Dungeons & Dragons experience.
After spending about an hour with Solasta II, it became clear that the game adheres closely to the rules of D&D 5e, a marked difference from titles like Baldur’s Gate 3. For instance, in Solasta II, players cannot use their action to attack and drink a health potion in the same turn—a stark contrast to the more flexible interpretations some other games have adopted. This adherence to the traditional rules may deter new players accustomed to the variants seen in other modern RPGs.
Gameplay is engaging and tactical, particularly in combat. Players take control of a party of four adoptive siblings—a dwarf, elf, human, and gnome—who embark on a quest tied to their family’s legacy while facing an ancient threat. The combat mechanics reward careful planning and resource management, demanding attention to ammunition and the consequences of resting.
What sets Solasta II apart is its approach to roleplaying. Unlike other RPGs that typically feature a single spokesperson during conversations, all four characters contribute meaningfully to dialogues, each with unique skills that can influence outcomes. This design amplifies the camaraderie and group dynamics of a traditional D&D session, although the demo did not reveal how these choices translate into lasting consequences later in the game.
Players also have the flexibility to control all characters with keyboard controls instead of relying solely on mouse input, enhancing maneuverability and strategic planning, particularly in stealth scenarios.
While Solasta II remains deeply faithful to D&D 5e’s ruleset—potentially frustrating for some gamers accustomed to more updated mechanics—it also boasts improvements in movement precision and party dynamics during conversations. As anticipation builds for its release on PC, players can explore a free demo on Steam to get a taste of what’s to come.
