Alright folks, buckle up because 2026 is already looking stacked, and one of the biggest surprises for us CRPG nerds just dropped at the 2025 Game Awards. I'm talking about Solasta 2, the sequel to the beloved Kickstarter success Solasta: Crown of the Magister. Now, the devs at Tactical Adventures (published by the legends at Kepler Interactive, who brought us the mind-bending Expedition 33) are back, and they're bringing a whole new level of star power and tactical depth. If you, like me, spent hundreds of hours in Faerûn with Baldur's Gate 3 or untangling the mysteries of Expedition 33, then consider this your official heads-up. This is the next big fantasy adventure we've been waiting for.
Meet the Colwall Crew: A Cast of Legends (and Familiar Voices)
The heart of Solasta 2 lies with the Colwall siblings, who are thrown into an ancient conflict after their mother's passing. But let's be real, the casting here is absolutely wild. Tactical Adventures didn't just get any voice actors; they assembled an Avengers-level team from our favorite recent RPGs:
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Ben Starr as Rickard Colwall: The eldest sibling, described as "a steadfast light in a darkening world." You know him as the passionate Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI and the enigmatic Verso from Expedition 33. Talk about range!
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Devora Wilde as Deorcas Colwall: Another sibling, a fierce warrior grappling with her faith. Wilde absolutely owned the role of Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3 and was Clea in Expedition 33. Seeing her tackle another warrior facing a crisis of belief? Chef's kiss. \ud83c\udf73
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Amelia Tyler as Shadwyn: The source of a mysterious corruption plaguing the land. If her voice sounds eerily familiar as it weaves a tale of decay... that's because she was the unforgettable Narrator in Baldur's Gate 3 and has roles in Hades 2. She's basically the goddess of RPG narration at this point.
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Ellen Thomas as Anabasia: A charismatic and manipulative leader. Thomas brought gravitas to Arcane, so expect some serious, morally grey leadership vibes here.
Just... let that sink in for a second. The narrative potential here is insane. The press release teases navigating "loyalties strained by grief" and "faith tested by darkness." It sounds like we're in for a deeply personal, emotionally charged story where every choice between devotion and damnation truly matters.
Back to Basics: Pure, Unadulterated Tactical Combat
Now, for the meat and potatoes: the gameplay. Solasta 2 is proudly returning to its roots with tactical, turn-based combat on a grid. Yep, you heard that right. While Baldur's Gate 3 gave us a more cinematic, theater-of-the-mind adaptation of D&D rules, Solasta has always been about the chessboard. And honestly? I've missed it.
The big news is that the game is implementing the 2024 System Reference Document (SRD), promising the "definitive Dungeons and Dragons experience." For us rules lawyers, that means we're getting the latest and greatest D&D 5E ruleset baked right in. The trailer gave us a quick glimpse, and it looks crisp, strategic, and deeply satisfying for anyone who loves planning their moves three turns ahead.
But the world isn't just combat encounters. We're getting a hex-based world map to explore, complete with "random narrative events" that will pop up as the Colwall siblings journey through the new region of Neokos. This is a brand-new area of the Solasta world, so whether you're a veteran of the first game or a complete newbie, you're starting on fresh ground. The story is standalone, so no homework required!
Mark Your Calendars: The Road to Launch
So, when can we get our hands on it? Here's the timeline:
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Right Now: A demo is available on Steam! Seriously, go download it. No excuses.
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March 12, 2026: The game enters Early Access on PC (Steam). This is our chance to dive in, provide feedback, and watch the game evolve.
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Full Release: TBA, but 2026 is the year.
The devs are also super active, and there's an official Discord server where you can join the community, get updates, and share your hype (or your tactical triumphs).
Look, after the one-two punch of Baldur's Gate 3 and Expedition 33, I thought my heart might need a break from epic, character-driven RPGs. Solasta 2 just proved me wrong. With a story that promises emotional depth, a legendary cast reprising and evolving their iconic roles, and a return to pure, grid-based tactical combat with the latest D&D rules... this isn't just a sequel. It feels like Tactical Adventures is stepping onto the main stage, ready to deliver another modern classic. See you in Neokos, everyone. The dice are ready to roll. \ud83d\udcaf