Solasta has really turned into my generation's version of neverwinter nights and i couldnt be more happy to have it. Started PoI and yeah i can really tell they've been doing some playtesting.
I really don't like the "give everything resistances" solution to fire spells. Mainly becacuse Draconic sorcerers exist, and they're highly incentivized to specialize in a specific element. Fire happens to be the only element really supported by the spell list at every level. Even the original campaign had a lot of stuff immune or resistant to fire. Though by level 12+ my sorcerer has managed to diversify, it still rankles a bit. I know it's not really a problem with Solasta so much as it is the DnD spell list, but still. The other thing that kind of bugs me, is that the itemization doesn't really support my monk. If you're a subclass that wants to make use of flurry of blows, then the best you can do is a pair of +2 gauntlets, which you can get at around level 6-8. As if the class didn't already plateau really hard around those levels, now in the high level DLC other classes are getting +3 weapons with a ton of bonus damage, yet the monk is still sporting their +2 gauntlets that don't even have any bonus damage. That being said, the combat in Solasta is still has my favorite iteration of DnD combat out of all PC games. That's including BG3. And a high level campaign is much appreciated. I think Tactical adventures did a great job with it. I can't wait to see where they go in the future. Personally I'm hoping for something using Pathfinder 2e next.
Honestly I just find it so hard to return to this after playing BG3. My original play through of crown of the magister was painful and eventually turned monotonous. Maybe it was just my original party (rogue, cleric, Paladin, mage). But it was absolutely painful. Now trying my hand at a 2nd play through with Paladin, cleric, Ranger, and bard.
Yeah, they are night and day different. I like CoTM for the simplicity and the focus on combat. the game is 40 hours tops, and the DLCs add up to about another 30+ hours. This allows you to try different builds etc. BG3 is a huge immersive game where every choice makes a change to the game. However, its HUGE, so you are probably stuck with the party you have. Also, I HATE having NPCS in my games. I want to be able to create my team. In DOS 2 you could choose the NPC to join your team then choose what "class" they were. Hopeful when BG3 goes live, that will be the case. Lastly, BG3 is all % based. I hate % in a D&D Game. If you want combat and the ability to try out new classes/builds etc. Solasta is great! If you are looking for an epic Journey through a beautiful game, BG3 is going to be the best RPG in history! They both have their pearls, and their flaws. Cheers!
@@VaniverseGaming agreed 100%. I actually just finished my second playthrough. (I chose races that have dark vision. Made the game infinitely better btw). But it does have its charm! Thanks again for your input!
With "Palace" being the last DLC, are there any plans for a full-fledged sequel? Do agree the story is mediocre at best, but I enjoy the gameplay enough to see it through. Also wish the character portraits and models looked better. Really, there is no reason they didn't give those areas a face-lift for this DLC. Hoping maybe they can address that in a future sequel.
@@VaniverseGaming Oh, great news regardless. Look forward to seeing what they come up with next. With improvements to story and character models, they could make something special. Thanks!
Thanks for the update. I appreciate the breakdown of the new DLC. It's a shame that the dev's didn't put a bit more effort into the voice acting and story aspect.
They mentioned that on a stream that the voice acting was expensive to add new voices and have them record for all the campaigns. I do agree that the voices do make it hard to get immersed lol. Cheers!
@@VaniverseGaming I warmed up tho these voices over the time. They kind of feel like a bunch of players at the D&D table trying (an failing) to RP their "epic" adventurers (same can be said about NPCs and DMs attempts). The vast majority of us are definitely not Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey or Liam O'Brien so our campaing conversations resemble more Solasta than, say, Critical Role. As for stories... workshop creators have made some really addicting storylines that hooked me for hours. Ruins of Ilthismar, Interdimensional Escalations, Forsaken Island, Morrows Deep. At this point Solasta feels like a platform to play those workshop modules almost as much as a standalone game.
Making 6 man party makes the game harder to balance. I tried a mod with 6 players, of course that mod was designed for 6 players. But fights sure took WAY longer than 4man and also well, you can now have a dedicated healer, 2 range, and more. So fights in PoL would need more monsters and more tactics from the devs
Love Solasta, i wish they could have the full DnD license. and some extra cash to improve the game. They would be greater then BG 3. That said....Palace of Ice....well the dialog suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. ANd sooo many other problems.... if this DLC was my first contact with the game...i would never played the rest, thank god for the greeeeeat campaing of the Crown of the Magister. The only thing that is actually good in this DLC is the lvl and new magics.
Yeah, it is a game from a very small studio. I think they did a great job with the gameplay/combat. Everything else is painful for sure. But it is much more of a D&D simulator than BG3
![Palace of Ice DLC [Solasta] Best Bacgrounds For Each Class?](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XPtjRRZAdLw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Palace of Ice DLC [Solasta] Best Bacgrounds For Each Class?](/img/tr.png)
![Palace of Ice DLC [Solasta] Which Race Do I Choose?](/img/n.gif)
Solasta has really turned into my generation's version of neverwinter nights and i couldnt be more happy to have it. Started PoI and yeah i can really tell they've been doing some playtesting.
It has for sure. Cheers!
Good review. I like how it sounds like it really provides a challenge, even for more experianced players :)
On higher difficulties there are some optional fights I could not do and needed to come back to do them. Cheers!
Loved Solasta COM..and really enjoying POI so far..well written and very reminiscent of paper and pencil play👍
I agree 100%. Cheers!
Great review. Thank you!
You are very welcome. Cheers!
I really don't like the "give everything resistances" solution to fire spells. Mainly becacuse Draconic sorcerers exist, and they're highly incentivized to specialize in a specific element. Fire happens to be the only element really supported by the spell list at every level. Even the original campaign had a lot of stuff immune or resistant to fire. Though by level 12+ my sorcerer has managed to diversify, it still rankles a bit. I know it's not really a problem with Solasta so much as it is the DnD spell list, but still.
The other thing that kind of bugs me, is that the itemization doesn't really support my monk. If you're a subclass that wants to make use of flurry of blows, then the best you can do is a pair of +2 gauntlets, which you can get at around level 6-8. As if the class didn't already plateau really hard around those levels, now in the high level DLC other classes are getting +3 weapons with a ton of bonus damage, yet the monk is still sporting their +2 gauntlets that don't even have any bonus damage.
That being said, the combat in Solasta is still has my favorite iteration of DnD combat out of all PC games. That's including BG3. And a high level campaign is much appreciated. I think Tactical adventures did a great job with it. I can't wait to see where they go in the future. Personally I'm hoping for something using Pathfinder 2e next.
Thank you for the feedback and post. I agree with everything you said. Cheers!
Honestly I just find it so hard to return to this after playing BG3.
My original play through of crown of the magister was painful and eventually turned monotonous. Maybe it was just my original party (rogue, cleric, Paladin, mage). But it was absolutely painful.
Now trying my hand at a 2nd play through with Paladin, cleric, Ranger, and bard.
Yeah, they are night and day different. I like CoTM for the simplicity and the focus on combat. the game is 40 hours tops, and the DLCs add up to about another 30+ hours. This allows you to try different builds etc. BG3 is a huge immersive game where every choice makes a change to the game. However, its HUGE, so you are probably stuck with the party you have. Also, I HATE having NPCS in my games. I want to be able to create my team. In DOS 2 you could choose the NPC to join your team then choose what "class" they were. Hopeful when BG3 goes live, that will be the case. Lastly, BG3 is all % based. I hate % in a D&D Game. If you want combat and the ability to try out new classes/builds etc. Solasta is great! If you are looking for an epic Journey through a beautiful game, BG3 is going to be the best RPG in history! They both have their pearls, and their flaws. Cheers!
@@VaniverseGaming agreed 100%. I actually just finished my second playthrough. (I chose races that have dark vision. Made the game infinitely better btw). But it does have its charm! Thanks again for your input!
With "Palace" being the last DLC, are there any plans for a full-fledged sequel? Do agree the story is mediocre at best, but I enjoy the gameplay enough to see it through. Also wish the character portraits and models looked better. Really, there is no reason they didn't give those areas a face-lift for this DLC. Hoping maybe they can address that in a future sequel.
That stated that they will be working on another tactical RPG, but never stated if it would be a sequel to Solasta or another game altogether. Cheers!
@@VaniverseGaming Oh, great news regardless. Look forward to seeing what they come up with next. With improvements to story and character models, they could make something special. Thanks!
Welp, the 2024 Game Awards decided to answer this question for you.
Are there still weapons types that don't have any uniques like fist weapons, handaxe etc.
First weapons have unique items, but I still do not think there is a "special" handaxe. Cheers!
did they improve the character graphic ? they looked horrible compared to BG3
Comparing Solasta to BG3 is like comparing a 8K TV to a Plasma....The graphics do seem to be better than the first, but not great. Cheers!
Thanks for the update.
I appreciate the breakdown of the new DLC.
It's a shame that the dev's didn't put a bit more effort into the voice acting and story aspect.
They mentioned that on a stream that the voice acting was expensive to add new voices and have them record for all the campaigns. I do agree that the voices do make it hard to get immersed lol. Cheers!
@@VaniverseGaming I warmed up tho these voices over the time. They kind of feel like a bunch of players at the D&D table trying (an failing) to RP their "epic" adventurers (same can be said about NPCs and DMs attempts). The vast majority of us are definitely not Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey or Liam O'Brien so our campaing conversations resemble more Solasta than, say, Critical Role.
As for stories... workshop creators have made some really addicting storylines that hooked me for hours. Ruins of Ilthismar, Interdimensional Escalations, Forsaken Island, Morrows Deep. At this point Solasta feels like a platform to play those workshop modules almost as much as a standalone game.
I wanted a 6 man party. I don't care of they have to increase difficulty.
I think you can do that with the "unfinished Business" mod. Cheers!
Making 6 man party makes the game harder to balance. I tried a mod with 6 players, of course that mod was designed for 6 players. But fights sure took WAY longer than 4man and also well, you can now have a dedicated healer, 2 range, and more. So fights in PoL would need more monsters and more tactics from the devs
Love Solasta, i wish they could have the full DnD license. and some extra cash to improve the game. They would be greater then BG 3. That said....Palace of Ice....well the dialog suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. ANd sooo many other problems.... if this DLC was my first contact with the game...i would never played the rest, thank god for the greeeeeat campaing of the Crown of the Magister.
The only thing that is actually good in this DLC is the lvl and new magics.
Yeah, it is a game from a very small studio. I think they did a great job with the gameplay/combat. Everything else is painful for sure. But it is much more of a D&D simulator than BG3
This game felt so borked and clunky, felt like it was made in 2002 or something. Was not impressed by this game at all
Thanks for your opinion and feedback. Cheers!
Solasta's only and really better feature over BG3 is the combat, the rest is well, 2002 like you say