Solium Infernum Review: Seize Hell’s Throne (PC)

Solium Infernum is the latest game from League of Geeks. It’s a remake of the acclaimed 2009 original. They fittingly described it as Civilisation meets Game of Thrones in Hell. The game creates a wonderfully dark world of the civilisation and powers in Hell with compelling gameplay and hauntingly beautiful art. Crush your opponents, manipulate behind the scenes, or harness evil sorcery to seize the throne and become the new dark lord.

Solium Infernum releases on the 22nd February 2024 on PC for $39.99 USD.

Story – A Game of Thrones in Hell

The story of your time in Solium Infernum will largely be of your own making. The Devil has spent millennia ruling the dark wastes of Hell, but has now disappeared. With inspiration taken from medieval and modern ideas of eternal punishment, the world of Solium Infernum is a complex society with numerous factions vying for control of the now empty throne.

You play as one of 8 archfiends in their quest for kingship. Each one has it’s one lore and background, with the devs telling us that each represents a different sin from Christian Monk Evagrius Ponticus from the 4^th century ‘8 evil thoughts’. These are Pride, Vainglory, Sadness, Sloth, Anger, Avarice, Lust and Gluttony.  So Astaroth the Dragon Knight is Anger, fallen Angel Andromalius is Pride, Beezlebub is Gluttony.

Lilith is one of the 8 Archfiends to choose from

On top of this the archfiends fit into different Evil Tyrant archetypes. For example Murmur is the necromancer, Beezlebub the monstrous devourer, Belial is the scheming manipulator. All in all the devs have created a really interesting backdrop that feeds into the roleplay aspect. Everything you need is there, it’s up to you to make the story of your defeat or ascension.

Gameplay – Blood, Betrayal and Bureaucracy

Solium Infernum is a lot like a virtual board game, best played with a group of friends. You can play in games of 6 contestants fighting for throne. You can also play solo, with challenge modes for each Archfiend that fit their character and goals. It can be a bit daunting at first. There’s a lot going on, with different playstyles for the various archfiends, and numerous ways to deceive, kill and betray your way to the top. Knowledge is power in Hell, so knowing your opponents and the turn order is key to victory. It makes for a very enjoyable game. The Machiavellian nature of Solium Infernum makes for compelling session with a high risk of ruining your friendships.

The Bazaar is where you buy new units, Praetors, artifacts and manuscripts

Your Hellish Tools

The game is designed to be played in long or short bursts in real time together, or asynchronously over long periods. You begin with a stronghold and 1 army of Chosen warriors unique to each faction. Each Archfiend has boosts in certain areas, such as destructive magic or deceit.

Prestige is the main thing you need to win a game of Solium Infernum. It is essentially how likely the conclave is to vote you as their ruler, as well as how big a target you are to usurpers and rivals. You get it through winning vendettas, successful diplomacy, and control of key sites. There are other routes to the throne of course, but this is the main one.

There are a lot of options for the player in Solium Infernum, it won’t be possible to put it all in for review. Essentially you have military might, diplomacy and rituals to get an edge. It can be overwhelming, but the variety gives it a lot of replayability. Players can be whatever kind of Dark Lord that takes their fancy which is great. The game encourages you to be underhanded, and timing is everything. If you know the turn order you can swoop in to steal a Place of Power after an opponent has done the work of a lengthy seige.

Solium Infernum was a great game to review. It works better as a multiplayer game, but there is fun to be had playing solo, especially with the challenge modes. The only trouble is that there is so much to do and not enough turns and actions to do it.

Insults are a great way to get prestige, or start a Vendetta

The Trouble With Time

Whilst the game is strong overall, I found that there is a trouble with the length of the game. It’s the main problem for Solium Infernum in review. There is so much to do, a lot of it taking multiple turns to resolve, and not enough turns to see it through.

At the start you get 2 actions a turn, with the ability to get more if you upgrade a power to level 4.  An action can be anything from demanding tribute, moving an army, purchasing units or performing rituals. There are 50 turns in a normal length game, with a few extra for the election to take place.

However with vendettas taking multiple turns to take effect, your tribute for buying new units being low, especially at the start, and short movement ranges for most units, the turns whittle away too quickly to put together great long term plans, or fully upgrade you archfiend.

This can be especially difficult when you are reacting to a bunch of other players. You can make the game longer with up to 70 turn matches, but if you are playing asynchronously, you could really use more actions a turn to feel more involved.

Graphics and Audio – The Sights and Sounds of Torment

Graphically the game ranges from okay to great. The two sort of underwhelming parts are the general map is a bit bland and grey, and the armies don’t have unique models based the units. Your armies on the map will look the same as another of the same faction. The Titans, expensive and super powerful unit, get their own designs look awesome when the burst onto the field

However the Strongholds, Places of power, and especially Pandemonium are the shining beacons in the wastelands. The Black Sun that shines above the towering city makes for a great looking capital of Hell. The best part graphically is the artwork on the unit/event/item cards. Each one has great designs for the units and are visually stunning. They are the standout part of this review of Solium Infernum. The trouble is they look so good you wish the armies could look like them. The Archfiends as well have some awesome designs and look great, if a little cartoony.

The artwork for events and unit cards stand out in infernal glory

Audially the game has a some strong music and sound design. It sets the scene of the grand politics of damnation with organs and screams that works well with the game. Whilst good it lacks a bit in variation and can get a little bit repetitive. All in all though the game looks and sounds polished, despite a few nitpicks that don’t in anyway undermine the experience.

Solium Infernum was played for review on Steam with a key provided by icopartners.