Solium Infernum

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,831 reviews

gameplay132 positive mentions

optimization6 negative mentions

Unique and engaging gameplay that emphasizes diplomacy, intrigue, and backstabbing.
Beautiful art and atmosphere that immerses players in a hellish setting.
Asynchronous multiplayer allows for flexible play, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.

AI is weak and does not provide a challenging experience in single-player mode.
Some mechanics and rules are poorly explained, leading to confusion for new players.
The game can feel tedious due to limited actions per turn and the need to manage multiple currencies.

gameplay
506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The gameplay of "Solium Infernum" is characterized by its intricate mechanics and strategic depth, requiring players to invest time in learning its various systems, which include diplomacy, resource management, and tactical deception. While the game offers a unique blend of board game elements and a rich thematic atmosphere, some players find the learning curve steep and certain mechanics, like the order limit per turn, potentially frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative approach to multiplayer strategy, particularly in asynchronous play, but it also faces criticism for balance issues and the complexity of its mechanics.
- “The gameplay is innovative and challenging in a good way.”
- “The gameplay is deep.”
- “The systems are unique and unfold in a natural way that keeps gameplay interesting throughout the match.”
- “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 (presumably a 'feature' given the setting, but makes for a very dissatisfying gameplay experience), massive balance issues across the board.”
- “The gameplay loop is so boring and tedious it's hard to explain.”
graphics
320 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The graphics of "Solium Infernum" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning artwork and atmospheric design that effectively captures the game's hellish themes. While the 2D visuals and card art are often described as beautiful and immersive, some players find the 3D models, particularly of the archfiends, to be less impressive and somewhat cartoonish. Overall, the game is noted for its strong aesthetic commitment, though some aspects of the graphical presentation could benefit from further refinement.
- “The graphics and the gameplay create a fantastic atmosphere of hell, machinations, lies, and deception.”
- “Very deep, complex strategy game with beautiful visuals and audio.”
- “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 only gripe is the 3D models for the archfiends can look amateurish at times and sometimes clash with the aesthetics of the rest of the game.”
- “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.”
music
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and thematic depth, with tracks like "Eternal Nights" and "Lamentation" standing out as highlights. Players appreciate the blend of dark organ music and orchestral elements that enhance the hellish aesthetic, creating an immersive experience that complements the game's visuals and narrative. While some found the soundtrack occasionally repetitive, the overall presentation of music and sound design is considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Featuring some somber, fittingly melancholic ambient tracks such as 'lamentation', but also grander tracks like 'eternal nights'—frankly, a song so good it has no right to be in a game of this genre.”
- “The music is epic and an upcoming soundtrack will provide delight to all music fiends.”
- “You have hellish orchestral music blaring all the way through, the grey and red tones of a hellish barren landscape with dust clouds flying around the map, lava spurting at the seams and the creature animations a joy to behold.”
- “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.”
- “[Complexity requires time to tame, some rules can be unclear, soundtrack can become repetitive]”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
29%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and hellish setting, enhanced by stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the dark, gothic aesthetic and the game's ability to evoke feelings of deception and intrigue within a demonic political landscape. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's addictive nature and enjoyment, especially when played with friends.
- “The designers have meticulously crafted a dark, immersive atmosphere that pulls you into the heart of Machiavellian demonic politics and warfare.”
- “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.”
- “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 lore and atmosphere of the game is top-notch (but that's highly subjective).”
- “A grand strategy game dripping with hellish atmosphere.”
story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
85%
8%
The game's story is minimal, lacking a cohesive overarching narrative typical of the 4x grand strategy genre, with the setting primarily revolving around the chaos in hell following Satan's mysterious disappearance. While players can engage in rich backstories through card descriptions and enjoy challenge missions, the absence of a substantial plot or visual storytelling leaves some players wanting more. The real narrative depth emerges in multiplayer interactions, where players engage in strategic plotting and betrayal, creating memorable experiences that resonate beyond the game's limited storyline.
- “Also, I spent 2 hours reading each card's description, and the backstory of every demon and their host is amazing.”
- “The story takes place in hell immediately after Satan (the Prince of Darkness) mysteriously disappears.”
- “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.”
- “Its 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. At this point, for this price, I sadly cannot recommend it.”
- “I was hoping for some story, challenges, and well more flavor than the meat you provided.”
optimization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
72%
17%
Overall, optimization has seen significant improvements since the beta, with many users reporting enhanced performance and fewer technical issues at launch. However, some players still experience optimization problems, particularly on lower-end hardware, and there are concerns about netcode bugs and memory leaks in later game stages. While high-end setups perform well, AMD users express uncertainty about optimization compared to NVIDIA benchmarks.
- “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).”
- “I'm using an ASUS TUF 15 gaming laptop model year 2020 to write this review and play Solium Infernum with all the settings on low and all other effects disabled with a resolution of 1600x400@144 Hz; the game still has optimization issues and memory leaks, especially in the later parts of the game.”
- “My only complaint is optimization problems a few weeks after release.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, with many describing the gameplay loop as boring and fussy. The process of generating resources and managing token conversions is seen as unnecessarily cumbersome, particularly in the early game, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the flavor text, the general sentiment is that the grind significantly hampers the pacing and engagement of the game.
- “The gameplay loop is so boring and tedious it's hard to explain.”
- “The sluggishness with which armies traverse the map and token conversions are tedious.”
- “You do get to expand your order pool quite a bit, but that does mean that the early-game feels incredibly tedious and grindy as you simply work up resources to get the first order boost.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The game is praised for its exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its unique mechanics, strategic depth, and numerous victory paths that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. Many reviewers describe it as one of the most replayable strategy games they've encountered, emphasizing its versatility and complexity. Overall, players feel that the game's replay value is virtually limitless, making it a worthwhile investment.
- “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.”
- “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' energy.”
- “It's a turn-based strategy game with a lot of depth, complexity, and replayability.”
- “The game is full of strategic depth and replay value.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
The game exhibits some stability issues, with users reporting occasional bugs and UI glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While many players find that saving and reloading can resolve these issues, some recommend waiting for patches before purchasing. Overall, the game runs well on various platforms, but the presence of bugs has led to mixed feelings among players.
- “The game runs great, the presentation is pretty slick, and the UI is decent, except for a few instances of where-is-the-close-window-button.”
- “Runs great on the deck too, other than the small text, which is always a concern with these kinds of games.”
- “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.”
- “Cannot throw money at unfun/buggy games, so with regret I refunded.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its bureaucratic mechanics and dark comedy, creating a hilarious atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Players enjoy the absurdity of situations and the mischievous dynamics that arise when playing with friends, leading to memorable anecdotes and laughter at both their own and others' misfortunes. Overall, the game thrives on a blend of devilish humor and social manipulation, making it particularly enjoyable in multiplayer settings.
- “Every mechanic of this game is mired in bureaucracy, and it's hilarious and extremely fun.”
- “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.”
- “Jump into a game with people you know, however, and Solium Infernum is a magical experience that will provide an unending stream of funny anecdotes and memories to recount later.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally engaging, appreciating its dark, gothic visuals and eerie atmosphere that enhance the role-playing experience. The unexpected chaos and strategic depth evoke strong emotional responses, leading to memorable highs and lows during gameplay. However, some express disappointment with the AI, which detracts from the overall emotional impact.
- “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.”
- “A pure strategy game with all the emotional beats of civilization, but playable in 4 hours.”
- “Diplomacy is simply presented but offers enormous potential for game-changing bluffs and vicious abuses of power rarely seen outside of board games. There is no other game that does socially-negotiated conflict like this, and it’s brilliant. The dynamics of conflicts and foiled schemes are constant and offer unforgettable emotional highs and lows, making the sweetest player a mean son of a bitch.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
Character development in the game is highlighted by exceptional character designs and a captivating art style that draws inspiration from renowned dark artists. Players appreciate the immersive experience facilitated by the characters' unique playstyles and the use of the occult language Enochian, which enhances engagement. However, some critiques point to specific character designs, such as Beelzebub, as lacking appeal.
- “The character designs and overall art style are fantastic, and the characters even speak the real-life occult language Enochian.”
- “The character designs and playstyle, along with the messaging system, really motivate the player to get into character, which is a lot more fun than you may think.”
- “Beelzebub is a literal fly because they are lord of the flies... yeah, the character design sucks.”
- “The character designs and playstyle, and the messaging system, also really motivate the player to get into character which is a lot more fun than you may think.”
- “The attention to detail and vibe created in the character designs, lenticular/2.5D unit cards, and animations is commendable.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, offering a complete experience for the purchase price, which contrasts positively with the monetization practices of major publishers. However, the absence of a AAA developer may limit ongoing content updates, as the smaller team lacks the resources to generate additional revenue through microtransactions. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing change in the gaming landscape.
- “With no microtransactions.”
- “This project is clearly made from talent and understanding of what makes TBS games fun. With ongoing prevalent issues of major publishers (looking right at you, Activision-Blizzard), 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 money I purchased it for, and I would recommend it.”
- “This project is clearly made from talent and understanding of what makes TBS games fun, with ongoing prevalent issues of major publishers (looking right at you Activision-Blizzard). It is a breath of fresh air with fun modes, yet not being made by a AAA developer means that content for it is stalled because they don't have normies to drain microtransactions from, despite that it is a complete game with the money I purchased it for and would recommend it.”