Info about Solasta: Crown of the Magister:

Official game description:
True to the Tabletop
====================
_**Wizards of the Coast**_ granted _**Tactical Adventures**_ a license to use the **Dungeons and Dragons SRD 5.1 Ruleset**, further anchoring our will to make the most faithful video game adaptation with the Tabletop Ruleset and craft the game you are hoping for!  
**_Solasta: Crown of the Magister_** brings back the thrill, tactics, and deep storytelling of tabletop games. As you play, you'll feel yourself reaching for your dice and miniatures. It's time to dive into the world of Solasta. **Roll for initiative!**
About the Game
==============
_Created and written by lifelong fans of Pen & Paper RPGs, comes Solasta: Crown of the Magister._
Bring the authentic Tabletop gaming experience to your PC!
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Roll for initiative, take attacks of opportunity, manage player location and the verticality of the battle field. Set yourself up for the finishing strike and possibly roll a natural 20 at that key moment of battle.​
In Solasta, you take control of four heroes, each with unique skills that complement one another. Every hero expresses themselves in the adventure, making each action and dialog choice a dynamic part to the story. Players will create their heroes just as they would in a pen-and-paper game by choosing their race, class, personality and rolling for their stats.​
You make the choices, dice decide your destiny.
Key Features:
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*   **An Epic Team Adventure**  
    Discover the shattered world of Solasta: explore ruins and dungeons for legendary treasures, learn the truth of an age-old cataclysm - and stop it from happening again.  
    Create your very own party of adventurers with our Character Creation Tool in the classic tabletop RPG tradition. Breathe life into your heroes, and see their personalities reflected in their dialogue. Tailor your squad to your preferred strategy and maximize your party's abilities. The choice is yours.
*   **Discover a Mysterious & Dynamic World**  
    Delve into long forgotten dungeons to unearth ancient artifacts, but stay watchful of light and darkness: many dangers hide in the dark, but a light can attract monsters. Some enemies have darkvision, some may flee from your torch... Successful adventurers will learn to use it to their advantage.  
    Fight monsters in squad-level, turn-based, tactical combat. Solasta's dynamic environment offers some interesting tactical options. Bridges can collapse, leaving enemies stranded and vulnerable. Walls and columns can be pushed over - on top of your foes, if you do it right. The world is your playground.  
*   **Prepare to Think in Three Dimensions**  
    The dungeons in Solasta are more than flat game-boards. Climb, jump, or fly around obstacles. Evade or surprise foes from above or below. Push them into chasms or drop things on their heads. Position yourself on high grounds to start the fight with an advantage.  
    Size also matters. Escape through narrow passages where bigger enemies won't fit and crawl through tunnels to find secret areas. Take advantage of the environment to find cover suited to your own size. Watch out, though - the monsters are also thinking vertically.  
*   **Dungeon Maker**  
    In Solasta, the adventure does not stop after the campaign is over. Unleash your creativity and craft your own dungeons to play and share with friends with the snap of a finger using the in-game Dungeon Maker! From the room layout, monster composition and treasure the party will find – down to the decoration and lighting of each room or the music track playing – everything is decided by you.
Solasta Free Post-Launch Content Updates
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*   Level cap increased from level 10 to level 12, unlocking new class features as well as level 6 spells
*   Scars and Facial Paints customization options in character creation
*   Tired of playing through the tutorial? You can now skip it!
*   Rebalanced (harder!) fight at the end of the campaign - prepare for a challenge!
*   Online Multiplayer Co-op is now available: Compatible with both official CotM & Lost Valley campaigns, Primal Calling content as well as Custom Campaigns made with the Dungeon Maker!
*   Spellcasting Chants: Your spellcasters are no longer mute when casting spells, and we’ve added an additional spellcasting animation to boot! (you can turn off chants in the option menu)
*   Crafting Feats: Tired of having to pick specific background in order to craft potions and magic items? We’ve added two feats to solve that problem!
*   Surprise System Overhaul: Now more faithful to the tabletop rules with individual perception checks for each surprised enemy, making fights more even!
*   New Town Exterior & Town Interior Environments for the Dungeon Maker
*   New Campaign Creator Feature, allowing custom dungeons to be bundled together into a campaign with custom monsters, custom NPCs & merchants and custom items!
*   New Quest, Dialog & Custom Loot Table Systems added to the Dungeon Maker, helping creators to make even better and Custom Campaigns!

Release date: May 27, 2021

Categories: Turn-based Combat, Tactical RPG, Dungeon Crawler, Character Customization, Mod Support, Cooperative Multiplayer, Grid-based Combat, Class-based Combat, Environmental Combat, Party-based Combat


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Exceptional D&D 5E combat adaptation (weight 0.99): The game is widely praised for its faithful and engaging implementation of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition combat mechanics. Players highlight its tactical depth, adherence to rules, and superior execution compared to other CRPGs like Baldur's Gate 3. The combat system is described as engaging, well-balanced, and true to the tabletop experience, with features like verticality and environmental interactions adding strategic layers.
- Extensive character customization (weight 0.29): The game excels in providing deep and flexible character creation options, including races, classes, subclasses, backgrounds, and personalities. Players can customize their entire party, with personality traits influencing dialogue and interactions. The system is praised for its variety, accessibility, and the ability to create unique and dynamic party dynamics.
- Rich modding and user-generated content (weight 0.27): The game offers robust modding support, including a dungeon/campaign editor and Steam Workshop integration. Players can create, share, and download custom campaigns, subclasses, and mods, significantly extending replayability. The Unfinished Business mod, in particular, is highlighted for adding missing rules, multiclassing, and additional content, enhancing the core experience.
- Highly enjoyable multiplayer co-op (weight 0.26): The multiplayer co-op mode is a standout feature, offering a fun and engaging experience for players who enjoy collaborative gameplay. The game supports drop-in, drop-out multiplayer, robust modding, and community campaigns, making it ideal for playing with friends. Players appreciate the seamless co-op mechanics and the ability to create a shared tabletop-like experience.
- Accessible and intuitive gameplay (weight 0.24): The game is praised for its clean, modern UI and intuitive gameplay mechanics, making it accessible to both newcomers and veterans of CRPGs. The difficulty is well-balanced, tutorials are helpful, and the game avoids overwhelming players with overly complex systems. This accessibility is highlighted as a key factor in its broad appeal.
- Great value and replayability (weight 0.2): The game is frequently praised for its high replayability and value for money. Features like multiple campaigns, user-generated content, modding support, and difficulty customization ensure that players can enjoy the game for hundreds of hours. The base game and DLCs are considered well worth their price, especially compared to larger-budget titles.
- Strong world-building and lore (weight 0.2): The game features a rich and immersive world with unique lore, well-designed environments, and engaging exploration elements. Players appreciate the attention to detail in dungeons, the overworld map, and the narrative, which creates a sense of immersion and curiosity. The world-building is described as nostalgic and reminiscent of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights.
- Engaging voice acting and dialogue (weight 0.14): The game features extensive voice acting, including custom character voices, which enhances immersion and adds charm. Dialogue is dynamic, with party banter influenced by character personalities and traits. While the voice acting quality varies, it is generally appreciated for its role in creating a lively and engaging tabletop-like atmosphere.
- Unique vertical combat mechanics (weight 0.07): The game introduces innovative 3D battlefield mechanics, such as verticality, flight, levitation, and wall-climbing, which add a unique tactical depth to combat. These features create dynamic and unpredictable encounters, requiring players to adapt their strategies and utilize environmental advantages. The vertical combat system is often cited as a standout feature that sets the game apart from other CRPGs.

Common complaints:
- Linear and unengaging storytelling (weight 0.85): The game's narrative is widely perceived as linear, railroaded, and lacking depth. Players note that choices feel guided or inconsequential, with minimal impact on the story or character arcs. The lore is often conveyed through long-winded dialogue or flavor text, which fails to engage players seeking dynamic or branching narratives.
- Outdated and unpolished visuals (weight 0.66): The game's graphics, character models, and animations are frequently described as outdated, resembling PS2-era visuals or those of games from a decade ago. Players criticize the lack of polish in cutscenes, facial animations, and overall production value, which falls short of modern AAA standards. Character designs are often called unappealing or low-quality.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.53): The game suffers from numerous bugs, including game-breaking glitches, desynchronization in co-op, and performance issues like FPS drops. Players report frequent crashes, quest bugs, and unoptimized mechanics that disrupt gameplay. The lack of developer support and unresolved issues since launch further compound these problems.
- Niche appeal and D&D limitations (weight 0.24): The game's strict adherence to D&D 5E rules and mechanics limits its appeal to players unfamiliar with or disinterested in the system. It is often compared unfavorably to titles like *Baldur's Gate 3*, with players noting that it lacks the polish, depth, and accessibility of its competitors. The linear gameplay and lack of innovation further narrow its audience.
- Repetitive and unbalanced combat (weight 0.17): Combat encounters are criticized for being repetitive, drawn-out, and poorly balanced. Players highlight issues such as excessive enemy stacking, unfair difficulty spikes, and lack of meaningful progression. Spells and abilities are described as underwhelming due to terrain restrictions, unclear mechanics, or frequent misses, leading to frustration and monotony.
- Core content locked behind DLC (weight 0.13): Many essential classes, races, and gameplay features are locked behind paid DLC, which players perceive as greedy or exploitative. The base game is criticized for feeling incomplete, with key character customization options and content requiring additional purchases. This limits flexibility and frustrates players who expect a full experience at launch.
- Limited character customization (weight 0.12): Character creation is criticized for being tedious, restrictive, and visually unappealing. Players highlight the lack of attractive options for faces, hair, and clothing, as well as the inability to edit characters after finalizing choices. The customization system is described as rigid and politically influenced, further limiting player expression.
- Poor camera and navigation (weight 0.07): The camera controls are described as clunky, particularly in vertical or confined spaces, leading to visibility and targeting issues. Navigation on the world map and in cities is criticized as tedious, with poor pathfinding and obnoxious fast-travel mechanics. These issues make exploration and combat unnecessarily frustrating.
- No multiclassing or respec options (weight 0.05): The absence of native multiclassing or respec options limits character customization and replayability. Players note that these features are either locked behind mods or entirely unavailable, which restricts build diversity and flexibility. This is particularly frustrating for players accustomed to deeper RPG mechanics.
- DLC content issues (weight 0.04): The DLCs are criticized for lacking verticality in combat, featuring repetitive or overly powerful enemies, and having abrupt or unearned endings. Players note that the pacing of encounters is poor, with excessive battles and limited rest opportunities, leading to resource attrition. The DLCs are perceived as rushed or incomplete, failing to enhance the base game meaningfully.

Gameplay feedback:
- Faithful D&D 5e tactical combat (weight 0.27): The game closely follows Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, including turn-based combat, grid-based strategy, dice rolls, and tactical mechanics like stealth and verticality. Players familiar with tabletop D&D will recognize the SRD 5.1 ruleset, action economy, and spellcasting requirements, though some core mechanics (e.g., full feats) are omitted or adjusted.
- Co-op and multiplayer focus (weight 0.07): The game is designed for cooperative multiplayer, supporting a party of four customizable characters. Multiplayer extends to official and community campaigns, with features like dungeon creation and mod support. Solo play mimics a tabletop-like experience with a full party.
- Vertical and dynamic 3D combat (weight 0.07): Combat incorporates verticality, with abilities like flying, wall climbing, and multi-level environments. Enemies and players can exploit 3D space, adding tactical depth to battles. Light-based mechanics and terrain hazards further enhance the dynamic battlefield.
- Campaign and DLC structure (weight 0.07): The main campaign spans levels 1-12 and includes crafting, faction requirements, and resource management. DLCs add new campaigns, classes, races, and backgrounds, though some content is locked behind expansions. The scope is smaller than games like *Baldur’s Gate 3* but focuses on tactical depth.
- Character-driven dialogue and choices (weight 0.06): Dialogue and decisions are influenced by character backgrounds, alignments, and personality traits. Players can choose which party member responds, and side-quests adapt to these choices. However, the impact is more mechanical than narrative-driven.
- Crafting and exploration systems (weight 0.05): Players can craft potions, weapons, and scrolls using kits like Herbalism and Poisoner’s. Exploration is a core focus, with random encounters during travel, environmental puzzles, and a fully 3D map. The main campaign revolves around collecting gems tied to D&D schools.
- Modding and customization tools (weight 0.03): The game includes a Dungeon Maker for creating custom campaigns and supports mods for new classes, races, and translations. Homebrew subclasses and tabletop-like customization options (e.g., alignment, backgrounds) allow for extensive replayability.
- Resource management and difficulty (weight 0.03): The game emphasizes strategic resource management, especially before the final battle, which is notably challenging. Difficulty settings can be adjusted mid-game, with higher difficulties introducing tougher enemies rather than smarter AI.

Performance notes:
- Severe multiplayer desync issues (weight 0.09): Players report frequent desynchronization in co-op and multiplayer modes, leading to parallel game states, non-existent monsters acting, and game freezes. This is a critical issue affecting core gameplay, particularly in online sessions. Some players note that host performance may mitigate the problem, but it remains widespread.
- Medium-quality graphics and audio (weight 0.02): The game's graphics and voice acting are described as medium or acceptable, particularly for a top-down dungeon crawler. While not a critical flaw, this feedback suggests room for improvement in presentation quality.
- Minor UI and loading issues (weight 0.01): Players note short pauses during encounter loading without system feedback, as well as increased shop UI loading times in late-game. These issues, while not game-breaking, contribute to a less polished experience.
- Missing top-down camera option (weight 0.01): Players note the lack of a top-down camera option, which could enhance gameplay visibility and strategy, particularly in a dungeon crawler. This is a minor but requested feature improvement.
- Ironman mode design intent (weight 0.01): Players acknowledge that Ironman mode is intentionally designed as a no-save challenge mode. This point is informational and reflects player understanding rather than a critique or issue.
- Regional mod restrictions (weight 0.01): Some players mention the need for a VPN to download mod components due to regional restrictions. This is a niche issue but may affect accessibility for certain players.

Recommendations:
- Strong recommendation for D&D and tactical RPG fans (weight 0.47): The game is highly recommended for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, tactical RPGs, and turn-based combat. Players who enjoy deep, rules-accurate combat and character customization find the game particularly appealing. This point is derived from clusters emphasizing niche appeal to D&D enthusiasts and tactical combat lovers (Clusters 1, 3, 4, 17).
- Low recommendation for non-D&D or casual players (weight 0.37): The game is explicitly not recommended for players who are new to D&D, prefer immersive storytelling, or are looking for a casual RPG experience. Reviewers emphasize its niche appeal and steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with D&D 5e mechanics (Clusters 1, 3, 11).
- Mixed reception for storytelling and role-playing (weight 0.3): While the game is praised for its combat and tactical depth, several reviewers note that it falls short in storytelling, immersion, and role-playing elements. Some players recommend it primarily for its combat mechanics rather than narrative or exploration (Clusters 1, 20, 21).
- High anticipation for sequel and DLCs (weight 0.22): Many reviewers express excitement for the sequel (Solasta 2) and recommend purchasing DLCs or expansions to enhance the experience. This sentiment is driven by players who enjoyed the core gameplay and are eager for improvements or additional content (Clusters 2, 8, 9).
- Multiplayer limitations and solo preference (weight 0.15): The game is often recommended for solo play, with several reviewers cautioning against multiplayer due to technical issues or lackluster co-op experiences. Some players suggest the game is more enjoyable with friends but note that multiplayer functionality is flawed (Clusters 10, 3).
- Conditional recommendation based on price and expectations (weight 0.11): Many reviewers suggest purchasing the game only during a sale or at a discounted price, citing its value as contingent on cost. The game is also recommended with caveats, such as adjusting expectations (e.g., not comparing it to Baldur's Gate 3) or being prepared for bugs and flaws. This reflects clusters discussing pricing, sales, and conditional recommendations (Clusters 5, 6, 7, 18).
- Polarizing reception with extreme opinions (weight 0.03): The game elicits strong, polarized opinions, with some players considering it one of the best RPGs they've played, while others dismiss it as overrated or poorly executed. This reflects the subjective nature of its appeal (Clusters 12, 13, 19).

Other player notes:
- Mixed reception on game execution (weight 0.17): Players acknowledge the game's potential and good ideas but criticize its mediocre execution, particularly in storytelling, dialogue, and character models. Many feel the game starts slow but becomes enjoyable over time, though some see it as wasted potential. This feedback is constructive and specific, reflecting a balanced but critical perspective.
- DLC and mod dependency (weight 0.14): Players highlight that some DLCs are required for full access to content, including user-generated campaigns. Mods like 'Unfinished Business' are popular for enhancing gameplay but may introduce issues like broken gamepad interfaces. This feedback is actionable for developers to improve DLC integration and mod support.
- Janky but functional gameplay (weight 0.11): Players describe the gameplay as janky at times, with issues like high randomness, lack of consideration for player stats, and awkward mechanics. However, these flaws are often forgiven due to the game's charm and focus on delivering a raw D&D experience. Some players use mods or quicksaves to mitigate these issues.
- Niche appeal and market positioning (weight 0.09): The game occupies an awkward niche in the RPG market, often overshadowed by comparisons to Baldur's Gate 3. It appeals to fans of D&D 3.5, player-created characters, and tabletop-style experiences but is not for everyone. Players appreciate its focus on freedom and customization despite its limitations.
- Low-budget indie limitations (weight 0.07): The game is developed by a small team with limited resources, leading to intentional compromises like poor dialogue, rough character models, and lack of polish compared to AAA titles like Baldur's Gate 3. Players generally forgive these limitations but note them as a defining characteristic of the experience.
- Anticipation for sequel improvements (weight 0.04): Players express excitement for the sequel, Solasta II, which is expected to be more polished and thoughtful. Many are looking forward to improvements in storytelling, production quality, and features like voice acting and translations. This reflects high community engagement and hope for the franchise's future.
- Language and accessibility limitations (weight 0.03): The game lacks translations for several languages, including Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, which limits its accessibility. Players also note issues like language setting problems that prevent gameplay. This feedback highlights a need for broader localization support.
- Minimal worldbuilding and storytelling (weight 0.03): The game's worldbuilding is minimal, with functional but shallow dialogue and characters lacking extensive backstories. The story is average and not a major attraction, though it improves with more content releases. This aligns with the game's tabletop RPG feel but may disappoint players seeking deep narratives.
- Low completion rate and player retention (weight 0.02): The game has a low completion rate on Steam (4.7%), which may reflect its niche appeal, janky gameplay, or steep learning curve for new D&D players. This feedback suggests a need for better onboarding or tutorials to improve player retention.
- Fair pricing with monetization concerns (weight 0.02): Players generally consider the game's price fair for what it offers, but there is criticism of monetizing core character options through DLCs. Feedback suggests developers should avoid paywalls and make DLCs more worthwhile in future releases.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.24): Reviewers consistently highlight the game's faithful adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons 5E rules, tactical combat, and well-designed environments as key sources of satisfaction. The streamlined mechanics, mod support, and replay value also contribute significantly to positive experiences, particularly for players seeking an authentic tabletop RPG feel.
- Excitement (weight 0.17): Excitement stems from the game's engaging turn-based combat, depth of tactical options, and anticipation for future content like sequels or user-created campaigns. The unique 3D mechanics, verticality in battles, and the potential for extensive customization further amplify this emotion, especially among fans of D&D and CRPGs.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Frustration arises from technical issues such as frequent disconnections, desynchronization in co-op mode, and game-breaking bugs. Poorly balanced combat, restrictive mechanics (e.g., DLC-locked content), and subpar voice acting or writing also contribute to negative experiences, particularly when these issues disrupt gameplay or limit accessibility.
- Joy (weight 0.16): Joy is derived from the game's nostalgic and immersive D&D experience, charming humor, and engaging character interactions. Players appreciate the authentic tabletop feel, tactical depth, and the ability to play co-op with friends, which often evokes memories of past D&D sessions and creates a fulfilling social experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment is linked to unmet expectations, such as lackluster storytelling, poor character development, and subpar visual or audio presentation. Comparisons to other CRPGs (e.g., Baldur's Gate 3) often highlight the game's shortcomings in polish, depth, and innovation, leading to a sense of wasted potential.
- Relief (weight 0.04): Relief is expressed by players who initially doubted the game but found it worthwhile after overcoming technical hurdles or adjusting expectations. Mods addressing base game issues, the absence of unwanted features (e.g., romance options), and the game's ability to scratch the D&D itch for specific audiences contribute to this emotion.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom stems from repetitive combat, unengaging side quests, and a lack of strong narrative or world-building. Players describe the game as dull or tedious, particularly when compared to more dynamic or story-driven RPGs, leading to a lack of motivation to continue playing.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement arises from the game's unintentional humor, such as awkward character models, inconsistent voice acting, or poorly executed cutscenes. These flaws, while detracting from immersion, create a lighthearted or endearing quality that some players find entertaining.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at severe technical issues (e.g., game-breaking bugs, multiplayer instability) and perceived unfairness in design choices, such as DLC-locked content or illogical combat mechanics. Developer responses to long-standing issues and lack of basic features (e.g., quickload) also fuel this emotion.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from unclear mechanics, such as how stats affect abilities, or the game's design choices (e.g., GPU requirements for modest graphics). Players also express uncertainty about class availability and the role of certain features, like pronoun choices, in gameplay.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is tied to anticipation for future improvements, such as Solasta 2 retaining beloved features or addressing current flaws. Positive updates from developers and demos for upcoming content also contribute to this emotion, suggesting potential for growth.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret is expressed by players who delayed purchasing the game or missed out on enjoying it earlier due to initial skepticism. Some also regret buying the game twice or not experiencing it as intended due to technical issues.
- Nostalgia (weight 0): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's ability to replicate the feel of playing D&D with friends or homebrew campaigns. The authentic tabletop experience and familiar mechanics resonate with players who have fond memories of past RPG sessions.
- Indifference (weight 0): Indifference reflects a neutral stance where the game neither excels nor disappoints significantly. Players may acknowledge its strengths but find it unremarkable compared to other titles in the genre.
- Admiration (weight 0): Admiration is directed at the small development team for creating a high-quality D&D adaptation despite limited resources. Players appreciate the passion and effort behind the game's design and execution.
- Annoyance (weight 0): Annoyance stems from specific design choices, such as DLC-locked races or restrictive mechanics, which limit player freedom or customization. These issues, while not game-breaking, create minor but persistent frustrations.
- Pride (weight 0): Pride is expressed by players who support the game due to its origins (e.g., a French studio) or its unique approach to D&D. This emotion reflects a sense of loyalty or alignment with the game's values or achievements.
- Distrust (weight 0): Distrust arises from perceived lack of developer commitment, such as focusing on a sequel instead of fixing current issues. Players question the long-term support and reliability of the game, particularly when critical bugs or design flaws remain unaddressed.
- Hesitation (weight 0): Hesitation is tied to concerns about DLC pricing, mixed reviews, or the game's overall value. Players may delay purchasing or engaging with the game due to uncertainty about its quality or content.
- Anticipation (weight 0): Anticipation is focused on upcoming content, such as the second part of the game or expansions. Players express eagerness to explore new features, storylines, or improvements in future updates.}