Solasta: Crown of the Magister

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a tactical role-playing game with turn-based combat. It is set in a fantasy world that was nearly destroyed in an apocalyptic event a thousand years ago. Players create a party of four adventurers to search the ruins of an Elven empire for the jewels needed to empower a powerful artifact.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-for-pc|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister (for PC) Preview|last=Zamora|first=Gabriel|work=PC Magazine|date=2020-05-27|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122946/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-for-pc|url-status=live}} Players can use pre-made characters or make their own.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/review/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-review/|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister Review|last=Willis|first=Phillip|work=RPGamer.com|date=2021-11-09|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122955/https://rpgamer.com/review/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-review/|url-status=live}} Each character has their own personality and can answer questions by non-player characters{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/solasta-crown-of-the-magister/|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister|last=Kobylanski|first=Abraham|work=RPGFan.com|date=2021-06-16|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122946/https://www.rpgfan.com/review/solasta-crown-of-the-magister/|url-status=live}} or engage in banter with the other party members. Character creation follows the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons rules and includes five races and seven classes. The plot is generally linear.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-review/|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister review|last=Lane|first=Rick|work=PC Gamer|date=2021-06-02|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122945/https://www.pcgamer.com/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-review/|url-status=live}}

Players can create their own adventures using a tool designed to be easy-to-use.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/this-rpgs-dungeon-builder-is-neverwinter-nights-meets-super-mario-maker/|title=This RPG's dungeon builder is Neverwinter Nights meets Super Mario Maker|last=Watson|first=Eric|work=PC Gamer|date=2021-03-25|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2023-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407002307/https://www.pcgamer.com/this-rpgs-dungeon-builder-is-neverwinter-nights-meets-super-mario-maker/|url-status=live}} Player-made adventures have a level cap of 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dandd-rpg-solasta-is-getting-gnomes-tieflings-and-a-high-level-campaign/|title=D&D RPG Solasta is getting gnomes, tieflings, and a high-level campaign|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|work=PC Gamer|date=2023-03-09|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2023-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328222446/https://www.pcgamer.com/dandd-rpg-solasta-is-getting-gnomes-tieflings-and-a-high-level-campaign/|url-status=live}}

Tactical Adventures is an independent studio based in Paris that was founded by Mathieu Girard, formerly of Amplitude Studios.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/amplitude-co-founder-sets-up-rpg-focused-studio-tactical-adventures|title=Amplitude co-founder sets up RPG-focused studio Tactical Adventures|last=McAloon|first=Alissa|work=Game Developer|date=2018-11-26|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122946/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/amplitude-co-founder-sets-up-rpg-focused-studio-tactical-adventures|url-status=live}} They announced Kickstarter funding for Solasta: Crown of the Magister in September 2019.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/2019/09/kickstarter-check-in-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-wheel-of-fate/|title=Kickstarter Check-In: Solasta: Crown of the Magister, Wheel of Fate|last=Fuller|first=Alex|work=RPGSite.net|date=2019-09-18|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122956/https://rpgamer.com/2019/09/kickstarter-check-in-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-wheel-of-fate/|url-status=live}} The game entered early access in October 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dandd-game-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-will-exit-early-access-with-its-next-update/|title=D&D game Solasta: Crown of the Magister will exit Early Access with its next update|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|work=PC Gamer|date=2021-04-08|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122946/https://www.pcgamer.com/dandd-game-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-will-exit-early-access-with-its-next-update/|url-status=live}} and was released for Microsoft Windows on May 27, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/dd-rpg-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-has-left-early-access|title=D&D-based RPG Solasta: Crown Of The Magister has left early access|last=Beckhelling|first=Imogen|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2021-05-27|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122947/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/dd-rpg-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-has-left-early-access|url-status=live}} The macOS version was released on November 4, 2021. The Primal Calling downloadable content released at the same time adds two new playable classes, along with three subclasses for each. Primal Calling also adds one ancestry and a new character background.{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgsite.net/news/11913-solasta-crown-of-the-magisters-primal-calling-dlc-now-available|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister's Primal Calling DLC now available|last=Vitale|first=Adam|work=RPGSite.net|date=2021-11-04|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231122946/https://www.rpgsite.net/news/11913-solasta-crown-of-the-magisters-primal-calling-dlc-now-available|url-status=live}} The game was later ported to consoles on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on July 5, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/710252-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-xbox-game-pass|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister Xbox Version Joins Game Pass on Day One|last=Smith|first=Rebecca|work=GameRevolution|date=2022-07-06|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2022-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708014019/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/710252-solasta-crown-of-the-magister-xbox-game-pass|url-status=live}} A version for PlayStation 5 was released on March 6, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-06 |title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister now available for PS5 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/solasta-crown-of-the-magister-now-available-for-ps5 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}

On April 14, 2022, Tactical Adventures released the Lost Valley paid DLC, a separate campaign for Solasta. A free update with this release enables multi-player co-op mode and adds a new sub-class to each of the character classes.{{cite web | title=Solasta: Lost Valley review | first=Mollie | last=Russell | date=April 28, 2022 | website=wargamer.com | url=https://www.wargamer.com/solasta/lost-valley-review | access-date=2023-05-09 | archive-date=2023-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509214107/https://www.wargamer.com/solasta/lost-valley-review | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Lost Valley Subclasses Detailed | date=April 13, 2022 | website=solasta-game.com | url=https://www.solasta-game.com/news/153-lost-valley-subclasses-detailed | access-date=2023-05-09 | archive-date=2023-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509214110/https://www.solasta-game.com/news/153-lost-valley-subclasses-detailed | url-status=live }} The Inner Strength DLC, released November 15, 2022, adds three additional classes and the dragonborn ancestry to the game. A free update with this release added 17 new feats and three new backgrounds.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/2022/09/solasta-crown-of-the-magisters-inner-strength-dlc-to-add-new-classes/|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister{{'}}s Inner Strength DLC to Add New Classes|last=Fuller|first=Alex|work=RPGamer|date=2022-09-23|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2023-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128173849/https://rpgamer.com/2022/09/solasta-crown-of-the-magisters-inner-strength-dlc-to-add-new-classes/|url-status=live}} The Palace of Ice DLC adds a new, higher-level campaign; new spells; gnomes and tieflings as new playable races; and other changes. A bundle of the base game with all released DLC, called the Lightbringers Edition, was released simultaneously on May 25, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/2023/05/solastas-palace-of-ice-opening-next-week/|title=Solasta's Palace of Ice Opening Next Week|last=Fuller|first=Alex|work=RPGamer|date=2023-05-16|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2023-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516233317/https://rpgamer.com/2023/05/solastas-palace-of-ice-opening-next-week/|url-status=live}}

A new Tactical Adventures subsidiary team, named Talyon, was announced on June 10, 2021. This Lyon, France based studio will develop a tactical RPG based on the same setting as Solasta.{{cite web | title=Tactical Adventures announces new videogame development studio Talyon | date=June 10, 2021 | website=Games Press |url=https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/TACTICAL-ADVENTURES-ANNOUNCES-NEW-VIDEOGAME-DEVELOPMENT-STUDIO-TALYON | access-date=2023-07-27

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{{video game reviews

|MC = 77/100

|PCGUS = 70/100

|RPG = 3.5/5

}}

Solasta: Crown of the Magister received "generally favorable reviews" on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/solasta-crown-of-the-magister/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Solasta: Crown of the Magister (PC)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2021-12-31|archive-date=2021-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124214730/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/solasta-crown-of-the-magister|url-status=live}}

Rick Lane of PC Gamer rated it 70/100. Lane criticized the writing but praised its tactical combat and accessibility to newcomers. Writing for RPGamer, Phillip Willis called it an excellent introduction to both D&D and role-playing games, though he said the story is too cliched. Willis rated it 3.5/5 stars and concluded that it "provides a fun, if somewhat short, ride that most will enjoy". Abraham Kobylanski of RPGFan wrote, "Solasta{{'}}s combat and systems make for an excellent foundation, but until it gets a compelling story, it will feel a bit empty." Writing for PC Gamer, Jody Macgregor praised the continued evolution of Solasta. After multiple DLC were released, he said it now features a wide variety to choices in character customization, including the option to create oddball parties reminiscent of his own tabletop adventures.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/finally-an-rpg-let-me-make-the-weird-dandd-party-of-my-dreams/|title=Finally, an RPG let me make the weird D&D party of my dreams|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|work=PC Gamer|date=2022-12-14|accessdate=2023-05-29|archive-date=2023-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203104640/https://www.pcgamer.com/finally-an-rpg-let-me-make-the-weird-dandd-party-of-my-dreams/|url-status=live}}

A sequel, titled Solasta II, was announced by Tactical Adventures at The Game Awards 2024. It is currently set to be released as an early access game in 2025 for PC.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/solasta-2/announcement|title=DnD inspired RPG Solasta 2 is coming to challenge Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2025|first=Anthony|last=McGlynn|date=December 12, 2024|accessdate=December 14, 2024|work=PCGamesN}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.solasta-game.com/}}

Category:2021 video games

Category:Role-playing video games

Category:Fantasy video games

Category:Video games set on fictional planets

Category:Video games developed in France

Category:Windows games

Category:MacOS games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Indie games