Solasta 2 Early Access Review: How Does It Compare to Baldur’s Gate 3?

If you’ve been following tactical RPGs and are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Solasta 2 might be the game you didn’t know you were waiting for.

Released on March 12, 2026, for $39.99 on Steam, this Early Access sequel to Solasta: Crown of the Magister isn’t just a graphical upgrade—it’s a love letter to fans of grid-based combat and dice-driven mechanics.

But, as with any Early Access game, there are trade-offs, so let’s break down whether it’s worth diving into right now.

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Who Should Jump In on Solasta 2 Early Access?

Not every RPG fan will click with Solasta 2, and that’s perfectly fine. From my experience with the first Act, here’s who will likely enjoy it most:

• Tactical Purists: If you thrive on positioning, high-ground advantage, and the tension of dice rolls determining life or death, this is your playground.
• D&D Veterans: The game implements the 2024 D&D ruleset with astonishing fidelity. Unlike other adaptations that simplify rules for accessibility, Solasta 2 sticks to the letter, offering a tabletop-like challenge in digital form.
• Fans of the Original: Loved Crown of the Magister but wished for better visuals, smoother interface, and voice acting that doesn’t feel flat? This sequel delivers noticeable upgrades.

If you fall into any of these categories, the $39.99 price tag feels reasonable for an Early Access title that delivers depth and polish.

What You Get in Early Access

The current build provides a strong taste of the full game without overwhelming you:

• Gameplay: Around 10–15 hours covering Act 1, enough to explore, experiment, and form opinions on the systems.
• Character Options: 6 classes, 13 subclasses, and 4 ancestries (races) are playable now, with more planned for the 1.0 release.
• Technical Upgrade: The switch to Unreal Engine 5 has dramatically improved lighting, character models, and environmental detail.
• Voice Acting: Industry veterans like Amelia Tyler, Ben Starr, and Devora Wilde bring characters to life.

Even the first Act already feels more immersive than many full releases. The verticality in combat—where climbing a staircase can suddenly give you an advantage—is something most RPGs don’t bother to implement meaningfully.

The Highlights: Why Solasta 2 Stands Out

1. Tactical Combat That Feels Alive
This isn’t just moving pawns on a grid. Every encounter leverages vertical space, cover, and sightlines, making positioning as crucial as your dice rolls.

2. Cleaner, Smarter UI
Managing spells, reactions, and buffs can be a headache in D&D games, but Solasta 2 simplifies the interface without dumbing it down. You feel in control rather than juggling endless tabs and menus.

3. Improved Storytelling
The first game had charming but occasionally campy dialogue. The sequel tells a more serious, character-driven story centered on four siblings navigating the magical world of Neokos. It’s not cinematic like Baldur’s Gate 3, but it’s engaging enough to care about your party’s choices.

Early Access Pitfalls

Of course, it’s Early Access, so some frustrations are inevitable:

• Bugs and Performance: Expect a handful of glitches and occasional slowdowns. Nothing game-breaking yet, but it can interrupt your flow.
• Limited Story Content: Act 1 is all that’s available. Once you finish it, you’ll have to wait for updates to continue the main story.
• No Multiplayer Yet: Co-op is planned but unavailable in this release, which might be a dealbreaker if you love party-based online play.

Solasta 2 vs. Baldur’s Gate 3: The Tactical Showdown

Many comparisons are inevitable, so here’s a clear table showing how they differ:

Simply put, if you want story-driven spectacle, BG3 is your pick. If you crave pure tactical, faithful D&D combat, Solasta 2 might just be unmatched.

Final Thoughts: Worth Your Money?

Personally, I see Solasta 2 as one of the few Early Access games that feels like a legitimate investment in your own experience. If your goal is:

• To experience the best tactical 5e combat currently on the market
• To contribute to shaping a game in development
• To enjoy beautifully upgraded visuals and voice acting

…it’s worth picking up now. But if you prefer a polished, bug-free narrative, waiting for the 1.0 release in early 2027 is the safer bet.

For me, the dice, verticality, and fidelity to D&D rules make it a standout—even at this early stage. Tactical Adventures may still have work ahead, but they’ve built a solid foundation that fans of strategy and D&D will genuinely appreciate.

Solasta 2 vs Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2026: Which D&D Adventure Should You Actually Play?

The CRPG world is buzzing again. With Solasta 2 launching in Early Access on March 12, 2026, fans of Dungeons & Dragons have a fresh debate on their hands: is this the ultimate tactical D&D experience, or does Baldur’s Gate 3 still hold the crown for storytelling supremacy? As someone who loves sinking countless hours into both cinematic adventures and crunch-heavy tabletop simulations, here’s my take on how these two giants stack up.

Whether you care more about tactics, story, or sheer tabletop authenticity, this comparison will help you decide which game deserves a spot in your next campaign marathon.

Combat & Tactics: True Strategy vs. Creative Chaos

Combat is where these games part ways in a big way.

Solasta 2 – Tactical Brilliance
Solasta 2 is a dream for D&D purists. It sticks closely to the D&D 5th Edition rules, now updated to the 2024 SRD 5.2 ruleset, which brings class balances and features like Tactical Mind for Fighters.

• The battlefields are fully 3D, so flying, climbing walls, and taking high ground actually matter.
• The Ready Action system lets you trigger attacks automatically based on conditions—a subtle but massive addition for strategy lovers.
• Combat feels like playing a digital tabletop session, with every move counting and positioning being crucial.

Baldur’s Gate 3 – Environmental Playground
BG3, on the other hand, takes a looser approach. Larian’s focus is on interactive, chaotic combat:

• Tossing barrels, shoving enemies off cliffs, and creative use of terrain keeps battles dynamic.
• Sometimes, it can feel a little unbalanced; free Advantage rolls or super-high enemy HP can make some classes overshadow others.
• The fights are flashy and cinematic, perfect if you want to feel like a D&D superhero rather than a chess master.

Ruleset & Mechanics: Modern Precision vs. Video Game Adaptation

The underlying mechanics define the kind of game experience you’ll get.

Solasta 2 has officially moved to the 2024 SRD 5.2 ruleset, making it more faithful to current tabletop standards. Every spell, feat, and class ability now mirrors the modern rules, so players who love crunch and authenticity will feel right at home.

Baldur’s Gate 3 uses a heavily adapted 2014 5e framework, which Larian has “homebrewed” to make it accessible in a video game format. While this allows for more freedom and cinematic flair, it’s less precise if you’re expecting a rules-as-written experience.

Story and Companions: Heartstrings or Strategy?

This is the “soul” of the games, and the difference is huge.

Baldur’s Gate 3

• Features fully realized companions like Astarion and Shadowheart, each with personal arcs, romances, and rich storytelling.
• Your choices can affect the world dramatically, and the game’s cinematic flair, including motion capture performances, pulls you into every scene.

Solasta 2

• Focuses on a player-built party of four, emphasizing team dynamics over individual storylines.
• There’s a “found family” vibe with your orphans and adventurers, and while the voice cast is strong, the narrative focus remains tactical and group-centric.
• If you want deep, cinematic romances, this isn’t the game for you—but if you enjoy building your ideal party and strategizing with them, it’s perfect.

Visuals and Performance

Both games look fantastic in their own way, but there are some key differences:

Solasta 2’s switch to Unreal Engine 5 gives it a massive visual upgrade, but as an indie game, it can’t compete with BG3’s Hollywood-level graphics. That said, the clarity of the battlefield and tactical tools is arguably better for strategic players.

Modding and Replayability

• BG3: Offers extensive official mod support, letting you tweak mechanics, add new companions, or dive into community content.
• Solasta 2: Includes a built-in Dungeon Maker, letting you craft your own adventures from scratch—perfect for those who enjoy DM-style creativity.

Which One Should You Play in 2026?

Pick Baldur’s Gate 3 if:

• You want a cinematic epic that spans 100+ hours.
• You care about companion relationships and deep storytelling.
• You enjoy combat that’s creative and flashy, even if it bends the rules.

Pick Solasta 2 if:

• You’re a tactical purist who loves strict 5e rules and complex encounters.
• You want to build your party from scratch and manage every decision.
• You crave true digital tabletop combat, with verticality and positioning that actually matters.

Both games shine in different ways, and honestly, if you’re a D&D fan, there’s no wrong choice—you might just end up playing both. But for me, Solasta 2 scratches that itch for pure, strategic D&D like no other game can, while BG3 will always win if you want story-driven immersion.