It’s already very well documented that the current quarantine is breaking up Dungeons & Dragons tables. Many have adjust to playing online, but for some it just doesn’t feel the same. The banter doesn’t flow as naturally, and if someone has a shoddy mic/connection it can really slow things down. One of our writers found a way to play solo D&D. If that doesn’t sound right to you, there’s always video games. One recent Nintendo Switch release in particular delivers that classic dungeon crawling experience.
Operencia: The Stolen Sun is an RPG with turn-based combat. Yet while there are many of those on modern consoles, Operencia adds some unique mechanical touches that give it a tabletop vibe. First of all, the maps are presented in first person and set up on a grid. The viewpoint makes it a little easier to project oneself into the scenario. The grid setup makes it feel just like moving on the old battle mats.
Combat works on initiative with a tracker indicated on the left side of the screen. Again, this is a tabletop staple video games picked up a long time ago. But seeing it packaged with the grid-based movement adds to the D&D sensation. Enemies also come in three rows, from nearest to farthest. Different kinds of attacks, like melee and spells, affect certain rows differently. There’s that sense of positioning that tabletop fans will recognize instantly.
The story thrusts players into familiar scenes like a creepy forest or cursed castle. But the setting ditches the usual English sword & sorcery for tales inspired by Hungarian folklore. The first dungeon is a cursed castle, but it’s cursed to be partially sunk into a lake. This creates sections where the player must navigate submerged hallways while keeping an eye on their breath meter. Touches like these lend Operencia a certain nostalgia but are still pleasantly surprising. The banter between party members is light and fun with decent voice acting.
Overall the delivery comes across like a capable DM’s homebrew. Operencia gets into worn tropes like the “chosen one” main character, but it has enough fun with them that they don’t induce eye rolls. And let’s face it; most people play D&D to feel like an all-powerful main character anyway.
If you’re facing quarantine with a suspended D&D game, or just don’t like running sessions online, then Operencia: The Stolen Sun might be for you. Check out some gameplay videos to get a feel for how the elements come together. It won’t replace your Dragonborn barbarian’s adventures, but it could be an enjoyable filler episode.
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