Solium Infernum is a turn-based strategy boardgame with TCG involved whose complexity is at times overwhelming, especially for those of us who are not fans of boardgames, TCGs or complexity (?).
What a complicated era of video games we have to live through. Describing the genre of a title is not always easy. Sports video games with open worlds and quests. RPGs with roguelite ingredients. Shooters that are RPGs.
It might be easier to say that today, almost all games are RPGs.
Solium Infernum It is available for PC.
In 2009, indie development studio Cryptic Comet, fresh from the success of its turn-based strategy title 4X Armageddon Empiresbrought to light Solium Infernum, a turn-based strategy video game. In it, we represent an archdemon (Archfiend in the original) on his way to becoming the King of the Underworld, since Lucifer has abandoned his throne. Yes, like in “The Sandman.”
To achieve this he must use a mixture of diplomacy, deception and violence according to the rival he has to face. Our enemies are other archdemons (controlled by AI or other players) that have the same objective, possibilities and tools. To get the throne we must have the highest Prestige score – which increases or decreases according to our actions – or risk entering the Pandemonium by force.
If you don't understand why I'm reviewing a video game from 2009, it's because I'm not. In 2022, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the League of Geeks studio, famous for the PC boardgame Armello decided to make a current remake of Solium Infernum being very faithful to the original. It's basically the same game but with modern graphics, gameplay and sound.
Solium Infernum, as a boardgame with cards, does not have a great mystery. The searches are clear. The enormous complexity comes with the number of possibilities it offers us to achieve our objectives.
As Astaroth we are welcomed by Belial who explains to us step by step the ways to reach the throne of hell. We must advance across the map, collect tribute, hire fighters (“Praetors”), initiate diplomatic claims with our rivals, forge momentary alliances, create “Rules” and deceptions. The screen is full of icons with possibilities that we can use in our turns.
If we understood the goal and played our cards (heh) with the coherence that Solium Infernum demands, at the end of the turn our “Prestige” score will have risen and will bring us closer to winning the game.
However, a large part of success consists of understanding how to weave together the sheer amount of options that are made available to us.
If we close our eyes and eliminate the hexagonal boxes, the satanic history and some extravagant condiments, Solium Infernum It's a Magic season. We consider a series of tactics at the beginning of the game and use the cards that appear to us to carry it out. There is a lot of chance in what can happen to us, but it can be resolved with the non-random tools of the equation.