2021 saw the release of a true gem for RPG fans on Steam with Solasta: Crown of the Magister. The indie title is largely based on the famous Dungeons & Dragons. Now, the RPG is getting a multiplayer mode. MeinMMO had the opportunity to try it out and tells you as part of Find Your Next Game, why Solasta is exactly the right choice for you in co-op.
If you enjoy role-playing games, you’ll find a wide selection on Steam and other platforms. However, only a few games rely on famous templates or the pen-and-paper system upon which the RPG genre is actually based. Solasta was created specifically for such fans.
When Solasta was released in May 2021, the game was a pure single-player title. The community has since repeatedly asked for a co-op implementation. However, the indie studio behind Solasta, Tactical Adventures, was not yet ready to attempt the complex mode.
Until now. On April 14, 2022, the free co-op update will be released alongside the paid DLC “Lost Valley.” After Solasta already conducted a first but limited test for multiplayer, we were now able to get a Germany-exclusive look at the co-op and the new DLC together with the developers.
An RPG based on ancient models
What is Solasta actually? As a tactical RPG, you play Solasta mostly in turn-based mode. In each battle, the order of combatants is determined by rolling dice. One by one, you then use abilities, attacks, or spells.
The entire game is based on the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, similar to the upcoming Baldur’s Gate 3. Dungeons & Dragons is a so-called “pen and paper” game, meaning it is an analog role-playing game enjoyed together with friends at the table.
Successes and failures are determined by dice rolls and corresponding bonuses. The available classes like wizard and barbarian mostly come from the rulebook, although some of the specializations are original creations from the developers.
However, Solasta is not just about combat; it features its own story that you can experience. You assemble a party of 4 adventurers and complete quests. You explore numerous areas or use your skills to persuade, seduce, or steal from NPCs.
A party without a party
What is the problem with Solasta? The RPG focuses fully on the principle that an adventuring party travels together. The developers emphasized this point during discussions: You play a party, not individual heroes who come together – as seen in Divinity.
This should also be reflected in the game. Decisions are always made as a group, and as a player, you typically control all characters. While this corresponds to the D&D model, it does take away a bit of dynamism.
Competitors like Pathfinder or Divinity shine through the deep backstories of individual characters. This is lacking in Solasta and has been one of the criticisms so far.
However, the co-op mode completely eliminates this problem. You still play an adventuring party, but since there is a player behind each character, their role is suddenly filled with life.
Multiplayer feels like sitting at the table with friends
This is how multiplayer works: In multiplayer, everyone controls one or more characters – just as it would be in a tabletop RPG session. For example, when playing as a duo, each player creates 2 characters; when playing as a group of four, each creates one character.
You explore and fight together. Each person can largely decide where to go or what to do.
While the lawful good players of the group might be helping an old lady, the rogue could be attempting to meddle with her jewelry box. This is, of course, a purely hypothetical scenario…
Certain decisions like resting or fast traveling are made collectively. Either the entire group needs to come together, or the host makes the decision.
Cutscenes are also experienced together, so everyone can get involved in the story equally.
Why is the co-op so good now? In co-op, Solasta develops its own dynamic. Since you no longer control the entire group alone, each character logically has their own will.
Everyone decides for themselves whether they want to stay with the group, go explore alone, or split up tasks that everyone has to complete. Most prominently, this leads to chaos in battles.
If you play alone, you can plan a battle exactly as you envision it. However, as a group, you need coordination and communication. If this is lacking or a command is misunderstood, it can quickly happen that the wizard in the back row is suddenly overwhelmed by enemies because the fighters and barbarians all rushed forward at the same time.
Additionally, there is friendly fire in Solasta. A fireball hits ALL creatures in the target area, and certain abilities also affect both friend and foe. Those with particularly mischievous ideas can create quite a mess here and provide some laughs.
By the way, the developers are planning a sort of democracy system for conversation options, similar to Dying Light 2. Players will be able to vote on how to interact with NPCs. However, this was not yet available in our test.
You can see the gameplay from our session neatly summarized in this video:
Compatible with the entire game
What can I play in co-op? The entire game is supposed to be compatible with the new mode. Both the main story and any current and upcoming DLC can be played with friends starting April 14.
During discussions, developers revealed that even old save files can be used. So if you want to invite someone or need help, you can simply load your save file and open it for the co-op mode.
Solasta even offers the possibility to create your own dungeons and thus create your own stories. The mode is ideal for any “Dungeon Master” who wants to make their game a bit more interactive.
New DLC brings at least 20 hours more gameplay
The co-op mode of Solasta will be released along with the “Lost Valley” DLC. Here, you experience a story that runs parallel to the main story of the game, and you can start at level 1. The DLC features include:
- a complete campaign, independent of the main story
- various endings depending on your choices in the campaign
- new areas and enemies
- 9 new subclasses
- new environments for the dungeon maker
The biggest difference is the size of the map. You have vast areas to explore, filled with secrets and new enemies. You will also encounter various factions that you can support – and even must, if you want to survive.
According to the developers, the campaign is expected to take about 20 hours. Since you can experience various endings, replayability is also intended.
Only the “Master” needs the material
A major advantage of the co-op system is that only the host needs all the materials. This means: If you want to play a save file that includes DLC classes or stories, you do not need to purchase the respective DLCs separately.
The game master will provide you with their save file and all content used for it. You only need the base game to actually start Solasta.
If you enjoy playing games cooperatively with friends, you should take a closer look at Solasta starting April 14 at the latest. As someone who has been playing pen-and-paper for over 10 years and mostly D&D, I am really looking forward to the co-op mode.
Solasta has done a really good job implementing the rule set, and creations like the new sub-classes provide variety. I will definitely try to encourage my role-playing group to give the game a chance.
However, if you are among the lucky ones who still have a few people for meetups, a completely different genre may interest you: Board games. There are cooperative versions of those as well:
Gaming without the internet: The best co-op games can be played with friends at the table
