Solasta 2: A Quirky D&D Adventure You Didn’t Know You Needed

Roadtrippin’ Through Neokos

Ah, Solasta 2. The underdog of the RPG world, stepping onto the scene with huge expectations looming over it thanks to the juggernaut that is Baldur’s Gate 3. I mean, who wants to follow a game that has set a standard so high it could nearly hit the clouds? But once I managed to stumble past those pesky early access hiccups, I found myself diving headfirst into the quirky world of Neokos, a place where the spirit of good ol’ tabletop D&D vibes reigns supreme.

Questing Shenanigans and Crabby Adventures

So, there I was, all pumped up with my party of four adopted siblings, going through the motions of a family funeral (because nothing says “let’s go adventure” like a solemn gathering, right?). Fast forward a bit, and poof! I’m magically whisked away to a strange new land, standing in front of a hex-grid map — a moment that sparked a wave of nostalgia for every child who has ever rolled a d20.

My main quest? To find another family member, Deorcas (who totally has the voice of BG3’s Lae’zel, shoutout to Devora Wilde!). But details are a bit on the vague side, so my adventure kicks off when my quirky companion Jebfa insists she’s being stalked — classic D&D trope, right? All roads lead to danger as I guide her through this shebang; after all, the quicker we get her to safety, the more squishy criminal goodness I can stir up on the journey!

Now, my adventurous decision-making skills got us sidetracked to an abandoned coastal town, where our escapade turned real as I stumbled upon a whole lot of haunted skeleton knights and — I swear I’m not making this up — an army of angry giant crabs! Jebfa’s magical skills were a lifesaver, and let me tell you, she’s got some seriously impressive spells that turned the tide during those epic battles.

The combat in Solasta 2 is nothing short of spectacular. Seriously, this is where the game shines brighter than a shiny new sword! The variety in the environment influences everything you do, and as you fumble your way through toss-ups of attacks, the handy tooltips are practically your D&D training wheels, explaining every twist and turn. Ranged attacks? Melee attacks? You name it, it’s all on the table. And switching between them? A piece of cake!

But it’s not just head-smashing action; the events are a total blast. They have this unique vibe, almost like your dungeon master is up there reading a carefully crafted set-piece while you munch on snacks. Some moments are simple rolls, while others draw you in deeper with a tantalizing sense of adventure that’s sure to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Yes, it involves a fair bit of reading, but hey, it’s all worth it!

Some events casually wait around on the map for you to trip over, while others scream at you to visit before you exhaust all your energy. Unsurprisingly, I found myself turning every rock until I could’ve probably cracked a few command stones! Then again, spoilers — they weren’t all top-tier experiences, but I chased them down like a cat after a laser pointer.

Now, as with any early access game, I did notice a few quirks — like my Dwarf Cleric Isolde’s face that sometimes looked like she’d bitten into a sour lemon. The character creation options were super limited at launch, I mean, who doesn’t want to customize their hero like they’re putting together a piece of IKEA furniture? And the early narrative felt somewhat restricted, as if my DM was resisting my wild flagrant moves while they were still setting the stage.

But all in all, considering the early access phase, I’m filled with hope. Solasta 2 has a roadmap you could rely on, and the fun I had zipping around Neokos battling foes was simply irresistible. The first act is estimated to give you 10-15 hours of play, but trust me, I’ve already breezed past that! A wild ride indeed, and who knows what else lies in wait — I mean, I still have that suspicious-looking church over there, and my gut tells me it’s hiding something epic!