Solium Infernum

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 780 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Solium Infernum Game Cover
In this devilish game of thrones, you scheme or suffer a terrible insult. And maybe put a few friendships on ice.
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In Solium Infernum, play as a powerful Archfiend vying for the throne of Hell after Satan's disappearance. Engage in political intrigue, command legions, and cast sinister rituals to outmaneuver your rivals in this grand strategy game. With single-player and multiplayer modes, experience devious political machinations, sinister magic, and cunning strategies in your quest to become Hell's Dark Majesty.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 780 reviews
gameplay59 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The game has a perfect board game feel with dynamic mechanics and engaging AI that creates a thrilling experience.
  • The art direction and thematic elements are beautifully executed, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Asynchronous multiplayer allows for flexible gameplay, making it easy to play with friends over extended periods.
  • The AI is not very challenging, making single-player less engaging and often trivial.
  • There are some balance issues, particularly with certain archfiends and their abilities, which can lead to predictable strategies.
  • The game can feel overwhelming to learn due to its complexity and the lack of clear explanations for some mechanics.
  • gameplay212 mentions

    The gameplay of Solium Infernum is characterized by its unique blend of board game mechanics and strategic depth, offering a complex yet accessible experience that encourages learning and adaptation. Players appreciate the intricate systems and interactions, which create a rich tapestry of tactical options, though some find the mechanics can be overwhelming and occasionally tedious. While the game shines in multiplayer settings, it faces criticism for balance issues and a lack of clarity in certain mechanics, particularly for single-player experiences.

    • “The gameplay is deep, with a lot of very nuanced mechanics that you could read about in the Encyclopedia Infernum, but are just as fun to figure out when your orders go horribly wrong because you had no idea how praetor duels actually worked until you had to do one.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is intuitive and deep, providing a wealth of choices every turn plus an arbiter of hidden information.”
    • “The systems are unique and unfold in a natural way that keeps gameplay interesting throughout the match.”
    • “The game requires a lot of learning to figure out what is going on; there are a lot of obscure mechanics and strategies.”
    • “The primary issues for me are the pace and the generally fussy, tedious nature of the gameplay.”
    • “Unfortunately, half the game design is bad: duels, high-level powers, generally obtuse mechanics, massive balance issues across the board.”
  • graphics134 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning artwork, particularly the card art and character designs, which contribute to a rich and immersive aesthetic. However, some players find the 3D models for certain characters, particularly the archfiends, to be less impressive and somewhat cartoonish, clashing with the otherwise dark and detailed visuals. Overall, while the game boasts beautiful visuals and a cohesive art style, there are calls for further refinement in the 3D elements to match the high quality of the 2D artwork.

    • “The artwork is gorgeous.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, interesting theme, tight mechanics, varied play styles.”
    • “The visuals are top tier with fantastic art and atmosphere.”
    • “Some of the archfiends you can pick don't look that great. I personally don't like the art style they used; they give me childish 'Where the Wild Things Are' vibes, especially Lilith.”
    • “The game board, however, is less detailed, and with only three maps to choose from at the beginning, offers neither pretty visuals nor much variety.”
    • “My only real complaint about the remake is the aesthetic choice: some of the archfiends look like really bad, poor quality cartoon characters and are mismatched with the rest of the graphics, which are otherwise quite suitable.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, featuring a mix of melancholic ambient tracks and grand orchestral pieces that enhance the overall aesthetic. While many reviewers highlight standout tracks like "eternal nights," some feel that certain elements of the soundtrack are less memorable. Overall, the music is considered a key component of the game's captivating art direction and thematic coherence.

    • “Featuring some somber, fittingly melancholic ambient tracks such as [i]lamentation[/i], but also grander tracks like [i]eternal nights[/i]—frankly, a song so good it has no right to be in a game of this genre.”
    • “The game's art direction, sound, and music are fantastic.”
    • “The soundtrack is also quite nice, all moody organ music and light choral singing.”
    • “Sound: the music and sound effects are okay, but didn't stand out to me either.”
    • “Exquisite art and atmosphere, but the music is kind of mid and the cartoonish archfiends feel a bit out of place compared to the metal as hell artwork.”
    • “The notification sound when a certain event occurs, and the songs of the OST in general.”
  • story18 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is minimal, typical of the 4x-grand strategy genre, lacking a cohesive overarching narrative or aftermath. However, players appreciate the rich backstories of demons and the intricate world-building that enhances gameplay, particularly in multiplayer settings where diplomacy and betrayal create memorable player-driven narratives. While some players desire more structured storytelling and challenges, the game's mechanics and player interactions often compensate for this absence, leading to engaging and strategic experiences.

    • “Also, I spent 2 hours reading each card's description, and the backstory of every demon and their host is amazing.”
    • “Solium Infernum is the rare game that is confident its mechanics speak for themselves, irrespective of any specific story, yet goes the extra mile to craft a world and narrative richer even than some games where world and narrative are the whole point.”
    • “The intrigue and the self-appointed missions of revenge on those who refuse to bow to your majesty is wonderfully implemented in this intricate and multi-layered chess game in hell.”
    • “As with most games of the 4x—grand strategy—genre, there isn’t really a lot of storytelling involved; no overarching narrative as to how and why this development occurred, nor is there an aftermath as to how any chosen archfiend ends up ruling hell.”
    • “I was hoping for some story, challenges, and well more flavor than the meat you provided.”
    • “It's an 'okay' game, but it feels very early-access-y with just one map and no story whatsoever; sure it's a skirmish game, but some kind of story where one of them has a multi-battle rise of power would not have been that difficult to make.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, gothic, and hellish aesthetic, complemented by beautiful art and an eerie soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience. Players appreciate the rich lore and emotional depth, making it a captivating environment for both strategy and role-playing. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's addictive nature and enjoyment, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Beautiful art and atmospheric aesthetic.”
    • “That game is super addictive mostly thanks to the atmosphere - the hellish setting is just perfect and I doubt I can find any other game where I will feel that dark, evil, and gothic vibe.”
    • “Coupled with an evocative atmosphere and some gorgeous artworks, you have a fantastic game on your hands for those with the patience to make the most of it.”
    • “A grand strategy game dripping with hellish atmosphere.”
    • “Exquisite art and atmosphere, but the music is kind of mid and the cartoonish archfiends feel a bit out of place compared to the metal as hell artwork.”
    • “This game just oozes strategy and atmosphere from every evil pore.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report significant improvements in performance since the beta, others still experience issues such as netcode bugs and choppy intro videos. AMD users express concerns about optimization compared to NVIDIA benchmarks, but many find the game runs smoothly on lower-spec systems. Continued updates are anticipated to enhance performance further.

    • “Playing inside a 1600 x 900 window, it is fast & easy to switch to a web browser or check emails: no stalling, no stuttering, no crash.”
    • “Happy to report performance at max settings without anti-aliasing is 100fps+ and I'm sure this will only get better in time with future updates.”
    • “The artwork is great, performance is excellent. I play on a 3-year-old laptop that was mediocre in specs when I bought it, let alone now, and it plays flawlessly, and the gameplay loop is satisfying.”
    • “Poorly optimized for what it is and contains netcode bugs too (stuck legions, players getting disconnected).”
    • “My only complaint is optimization problems a few weeks after release.”
    • “I think the optimization needs work.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow-paced, with many describing the gameplay loop as boring and frustratingly sluggish. The early-game resource management and token generation are particularly criticized for feeling like a chore, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the experience. While there are some strategic elements, the overall execution leads to a grind that many players feel is unnecessary and detracts from the game's potential.

    • “The primary issues for me are the pace and the generally fussy, tedious nature of the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so boring and tedious it's hard to explain.”
    • “The resulting waste of turns generating random tokens and combining those tokens to just do basic things like buy units and upgrades for them felt needlessly tedious, and even more annoying when thinking about how to plan out bigger purchases.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging, appreciating its dark, gothic visuals and eerie atmosphere that evoke a sense of intrigue and chaos. The blend of strategy with unexpected emotional depth, particularly in its themes of theology and demonology, resonates with those who prefer intuitive role-playing over strict mechanics. However, some express disappointment with the AI, describing it as "heartbreaking" to witness, which detracts from the overall emotional experience.

    • “As an emotional and intuitive role-player who does not care about rationalistic calculus, mechanics, and optimized pathways to victory, I find this game extremely fascinating, with its demon/gothic, dark and flame-red visuals, its eerie and sinister atmosphere, and soundtrack.”
    • “This game's version of hell is vicious and cutthroat, yet oddly wholesome.”
    • “Ai is just heartbreaking to watch.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users noting occasional bugs and UI glitches that can disrupt gameplay, though many found that saving and reloading often resolved these issues. While some players recommend waiting for patches before purchasing, others report that the game runs well overall, particularly on the Steam Deck, despite minor text size concerns.

    • “The game runs great, the presentation is pretty slick, and the UI is decent, except for a few instances where I couldn't find the close window button.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck too, other than the small text, which is always a concern with these kinds of games.”
    • “A bit buggy though, hopefully that improves with time.”
    • “Until bugs are resolved involving paying tribute and many end turn glitches, buy in 4 months when fixed.”
    • “The UI, while aesthetically immaculate, can be occasionally obtuse and buggy.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by a clever blend of bureaucratic absurdity and dark comedy, creating a charmingly grim atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the hilarious dynamics that arise from interactions and decisions, often finding themselves laughing at both their own misfortunes and those of others. Overall, the humor effectively contributes to the game's engaging and addictive nature.

    • “Every mechanic of this game is mired in bureaucracy and it's hilarious and extremely fun.”
    • “The tone hits exactly right for me - grim enough to sell you on the fact that it's hell, with just the right amount of cartoony to be charming and hilarious, lovingly wrapped up in a neat package by a team who clearly did their research.”
    • “The game is full of devilish humor and dark comedy, and you'll find yourself laughing at the misfortunes of your foes and the absurdity of the situations you'll encounter.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Players consistently highlight the game's exceptional replayability, citing its unique mechanics, diverse strategies, and deep complexity that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers describe it as one of the most enjoyable and distinctive strategy games available, making it a must-try for fans of the genre. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “My first impressions on this game were wonderful, with some really unique game mechanics and a ton of possible strategies and tactics for winning, making it very replayable and versatile in its gameplay.”
    • “I've played a lot of strategy games in my time, and I gotta say this one has got to be one of the most fun, distinctive, challenging, and replayable games I've played in a long time.”
    • “It's a turn-based strategy game with a lot of depth, complexity, and replayability.”
    • “Solium Infernum has big '4-hour long deep and replayable board game that you're always trying to get your friends together to play, but nobody wants to meet up and sit down for that long when you could be doing other stuff.'”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development is highlighted by impressive character designs and an engaging art style that enhances immersion, with some characters even utilizing the real-life occult language Enochian. While many players appreciate the creativity and thematic depth of the characters, opinions are mixed, as some find certain designs, like Beelzebub's, less appealing. Overall, the character designs effectively channel dark artistic influences, contributing to a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “The character designs and overall art style are fantastic, and the characters even speak the real-life occult language Enochian.”
    • “The character designs, playstyle, and messaging system really motivate the player to get into character, which is a lot more fun than you may think.”
    • “Character designs are especially awesome and channel the spirit of some of my favorite dark and hellish artists like Mike Mignola and Kaneko Kazuma.”
    • “Beelzebub is a literal fly because they are lord of the flies... yeah, the character design sucks.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model of this game is appreciated for providing a complete experience without heavy reliance on microtransactions, contrasting with major publishers' practices. However, the lack of a AAA developer may limit ongoing content updates and monetization opportunities. Overall, players find it refreshing and recommend it despite these challenges.

    • “This project is clearly made from talent and an understanding of what makes turn-based strategy games fun. With ongoing prevalent issues from major publishers, it is a breath of fresh air with fun modes. Despite not being made by a AAA developer, it is a complete game for the price I purchased it for, and I would recommend it.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, with too many paywalls that hinder the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great bogged down by aggressive monetization tactics.”
    • “While the game itself is enjoyable, the constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

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Play time

13hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
9-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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