Baldur’s Gate 3changed how people view modernDungeons & Dragonsvideo games, raising the bar for storytelling, character development, and tactical combat. Because of its success, many players are looking for similar games. While other developers are likely trying to create games that can rivalBaldur’s Gate 3, a new title may have gone unnoticed:Solasta 2. This isn’t a big-budget release, but a sequel to a generally successful title announced at The Game Awards 2024.
Solasta 2builds on the well-likedSolasta: Crown of the Magisterusing the familiar 5th Edition D&D ruleswhile introducing new features. Solasta 2 plans to expand beyond just dungeon crawling and offers a large open world.Solasta 2will keep the tactical combat that fans loved about the first game but bring free-roaming exploration. Its low-key announcement could be overlooked, especially by those who aren’t already fans of theSolastaseries.Solasta 2could become a strong player in the CRPG genre and a worthy rival toBaldur’s Gate 3.
Solasta 2 Is A D&D-Based RPG Like BG3
Solasta 2 Will Be More Similar Than You Think
Solasta 2isn’t just a follow-up; it’s a big step forward.The gameplay still sticks closely to the rules ofDungeons & Dragons5th Edition, and players can expect the same strategic combat that made the first game enjoyable. The basic mechanics are very similar toBaldur’s Gate 3, as both games are built on the same 5E ruleset. Building on the success of its predecessor,Solasta: Crown of the Magister,this new game could capture the feel ofBaldur’s Gate 3but with its own twist.
Solasta: Crown of the Magister Beginner’s Guide (Tips, Tricks, & Strategies)
Solasta: Crown of the Magister can be a difficult game for newcomers to figure out. This guide gives out some tips and tricks for beginner players.
The developers at Tactical Adventures can easily take notes from the success ofBaldur’s Gate 3without abandoningSolasta’s unique strengths to create something original. The first game was anearly perfect rendition of 5e combat, but there’s always room for improvement. Whilethe first game focused on detailed dungeon exploration,Solasta 2opens up a large, explorable world. This world isn’t technically the same asBaldur’s Gate 3, but the player still influences it through their choices.
This is a major change, giving players the freedom to travel through different environments, find hidden spots, and take on quests that weren’t possible in the more straightforward first game. There are choices for players to make and rolls that happen to see if the player will be successful in their adventure. Most RPGs are likeD&Din some capacity,but thetactical combat and 5e ruleset really makes Solasta feel likeBaldur’s Gate 3.
What Makes Solasta 2 Different From Baldur’s Gate 3
Solasta 2 Is Still A Different Game From A Different Series
BothSolasta 2andBaldur’s Gate 3are based on theDungeons & Dragons5th Edition rules, but they play quite differently.Baldur’s Gate 3focuses on deep storytelling and character interactions, letting players make choices that significantly affect the story. On the other hand,Solasta 2emphasizes tactics and new opportunities for exploration. This encourages a different style of play, where the excitement comes from discovering new places and facing unexpected challenges instead of focusing on dialogue and building relationships.
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Both games use turn-based combat that aligns with the 5e rules but present it differently.Baldur’s Gate 3is known for its cinematic style, whileSolasta 2aims for a more straightforward feel that closely resembles a tabletop game experience. It’s not that it’s especially noticeable at a glance, but looking at things like the developer’s logs onSteamshows thatthe team wants to make the game feel like a tabletop experiencebrought to life.
One of the biggest differences is thatSolasta: Crown of the Magisteris not a typical officially licensed game, relying on a more limited license to use the official rules found inD&D’s System Reference Document. This prevented the game from focusing on stories and characters from theD&Duniverse, and the sequel will continue inSolasta’s own world of Neokos. So, whileBaldur’s Gate 3took place in the Forgotten Realms and referenced plenty of pre-existing lore,Solasta 2won’t need to follow the same guidelines.
Planned changes toD&D’s open-game license generated backlash in recent years, leading to theaddition of a Creative Commons optionfor licensing, butSolasta’s basic situation shouldn’t have changed in any major way.
So,Solasta 2is offering a new experience that is very similar toBaldur’s Gate 3but different enough that players will feel it’s an entirely new adventure. This would come ina world with its own cultures and morality, which gives the fix many have needed without it needing a true sequel.
Solasta Has Room To Grow & Improve
There’s Opportunities Here
Solasta: Crown of the Magisterwas impressive for how well it adapted the rules ofDungeons & Dragons5th Edition into a video game not part of the Forgotten Realms. However, its mostlylinear dungeon-crawling style limited how expansive and replayable it could be, especially when compared to other role-playing games.Solasta 2tackles these issues head-on and brings more to the table.
This sequel isn’t just about better graphics or more content; it fundamentally changes how the game is played. By focusing on a setting with more open exploration,Solasta 2can give playersmore freedom to explore and face unexpected challenges, something the first game lacked. Since this game is still in development, the team working on it, Tactical Adventures, might be able to target opportunities thatBaldur’s Gate 3didn’t cover.
Forget Baldur’s Gate 3, There’s Another D&D Game That Needs A Sequel
Despite the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian won’t be making a sequel, but that doesn’t mean another D&D IP can’t get a sequel to fill the void.
The other upside is thatSolasta 2doesn’t have to follow the storyline or lore established inDungeons & Dragons,so it can grow wherever the developers need it to. While it’s often nice to be able to go into a large library of lore to pull from,the restrictions that come from not altering that lore can be overwhelming.Solasta 2has free reign to make its story and rules without getting it checked out, giving the creative freedom needed to create a great experience.
Players who lovedBaldur’s Gate 3should likeDivinity Original Sin 2, but theSolasta 2team can carve its own niche with something new.Solasta 2has the opportunity to grow where it wants and fill needs players have thought of since finishing other CRPGs. If anything, this could beSolasta 2’s opportunity to become one of the top games players go to when they want a CRPG. WithLarian Studios no longer makingBaldur’s Gategames, there is a hole that a different team can step in to fill.
Source:Solasta 2/Steam,thegameawards/YouTube
