There is something immediately captivating about a hero who begins with nothing. No memories, no understanding of the world around them, and no clear idea of what they are capable of achieving. Solateria embraces that classic adventure setup and uses it to create a journey filled with mystery, discovery, and the constant sense that every answer only leads to another question. Developed by Studio Doodal, this hand-drawn 2.5D action Metroidvania places players in control of Tott, a tiny fire warrior who awakens in a land destroyed by the devastating Shadow Plague.
Once a prosperous kingdom blessed by the Primordial Flame, Solateria has fallen to a fading shadow of its former glory. The world’s only hope seems to lie with the missing King, whose power may be the key to restoring balance and saving what remains of the kingdom. Guided only by a mysterious voice from his forgotten past, Tott sets out across a ruined land filled with corrupted creatures, hidden memories, and powerful enemies who stand between him and the truth.
The story follows familiar themes of forgotten heroes, fallen kingdoms, and ancient powers, but Solateria infuses them with enough heart and personality to make the journey feel meaningful. Rather than simply throwing players from one boss fight to another, the game takes time to explore the people left behind after the catastrophe. NPCs have their own struggles, motivations, and stories to uncover, giving the world a sense of sadness that goes beyond the usual fantasy apocalypse setting.
Tott himself is an incredibly charming protagonist. Despite his small size, there is a quiet determination underpinning his journey, making every victory feel earned. Watching this tiny flame slowly grow stronger as he uncovers the secrets of his own existence creates a satisfying sense of progression that carries the adventure forward.
Precision Combat That Rewards Patience
The heart of Solateria is its combat system, and this is where the game makes its strongest impression. Rather than relying on endless attacks or flashy combos, the game focuses on timing, awareness and precision. Every enemy encounter becomes a test of understanding attack patterns, recognising openings and striking at exactly the right moment.
Parrying is the centrepiece of combat, and mastering it is essential. A perfectly timed block can interrupt enemy attacks, create opportunities for devastating counterstrikes, and completely change the flow of battle. Early encounters teach the basics, but later enemies demand far more attention, forcing players to learn movement patterns and to react rather than simply attack.
There is a wonderful rhythm to successful combat. Dodging attacks, landing a precise parry, and following up with a powerful counter create moments that feel incredibly rewarding. Much like games such as Hollow Knight and Nine Sols, Solateria understands that difficulty is most enjoyable when victory comes from improvement rather than simply increasing character strength.
However, the combat can also be unforgiving. Some bosses have extremely tight timing windows, and players who are uncomfortable with parry-focused systems may find the early hours challenging. The game offers multiple difficulty options, which help make the experience more approachable, but even at lower settings the emphasis remains firmly on skill and learning enemy behaviour.
A Beautiful World Worth Exploring
Solateria’s hand-drawn presentation is one of its biggest strengths. Every area feels carefully designed, with colourful environments, expressive animations and a strong artistic identity that sets it apart from many other Metroidvania adventures. The contrast between the world’s beauty and the destruction caused by the Shadow Plague creates a constant sense of wonder and melancholy.
Exploration plays a major role throughout the adventure. Solateria features a large, interconnected world filled with hidden locations, shortcuts, collectables, and secrets waiting to be discovered. The map encourages curiosity, rewarding players who take the time to investigate unusual paths or revisit previous areas with newly unlocked abilities.
The ability system follows the traditional Metroidvania formula while adding its own flavour. As Tott grows stronger, new skills unlock previously unreachable areas, creating that satisfying feeling of gradually uncovering the entire world. Finding a hidden route or discovering a secret location never feels like busywork because exploration is closely tied to the game’s sense of mystery.
The hand-drawn world map is also a lovely touch. It gives the adventure a more personal feel, almost like exploring a forgotten storybook. Combined with the beautiful cutscenes and environmental details, Solateria constantly feels like a carefully illustrated fantasy world rather than just another action platformer.
Building Your Own Flame
Beyond combat and exploration, Solateria offers an impressive range of character customisation. The upgrade system lets players shape Tott’s abilities through Core Stones, Parts and various crafting options. With more than 40 Parts combinations, players can create builds focused on offence, defence, mobility or specialised play styles.
This flexibility adds depth to the adventure. Two players can approach the same challenges in completely different ways, depending on their preferred setup. Some may focus on improving parry and counter-damage, while others may prefer defensive bonuses or stronger elemental attacks.
The upgrade systems also encourage experimentation. Players can refine materials, cook special items and improve their equipment throughout the journey, creating a satisfying loop of exploration and improvement. These mechanics never feel like unnecessary additions, as they directly support the core experience of becoming a stronger warrior.
The only downside is that the sheer number of systems can occasionally feel overwhelming. New upgrades, crafting options and abilities are introduced regularly, and players seeking a simpler adventure may find the level of customisation slightly intimidating at first. Once understood, however, these systems become one of the game’s greatest strengths.
Bosses, Memories And Meaningful Discoveries
The boss battles are where Solateria truly shines. Each major enemy feels like a tragic reminder of what the Shadow Plague has done to the world. These encounters are not just obstacles to overcome but characters with their own stories and connections to the fallen kingdom.
Multi-phase battles push players to use everything they have learned, combining precise movement, careful timing and smart use of abilities. Defeating a powerful enemy feels like a genuine achievement because success depends on understanding the fight rather than simply overpowering it.
The game also encourages players to uncover hidden memories and information scattered across Solateria. These discoveries add context to the world and help piece together the mystery surrounding Tott’s forgotten past. Exploring every corner is not just about finding upgrades but about understanding the tragedy that shaped this world.
Final Verdict
Solateria is a beautifully crafted Metroidvania that understands the importance of atmosphere, challenge and discovery. Its parry-focused combat delivers some of the most satisfying encounters in the genre, while its hand-drawn world provides a stunning backdrop for Tott’s emotional journey.
It is not without flaws. The demanding combat may frustrate players who prefer a more relaxed adventure, and some difficulty spikes can feel harsh even after investing time in upgrades. However, these issues are balanced by the game’s excellent customisation, rewarding exploration and genuine sense of charm.
Studio Doodal has crafted a world that feels both familiar and fresh. Solateria may be about a tiny flame battling overwhelming darkness, but that contrast is exactly what makes the adventure special. For fans of challenging action platformers who enjoy mastering combat and uncovering forgotten stories, this is a journey well worth taking.
