Wartales captures the co-op RPG magic of Divinity: Original Sin 2

WartalesThis is an open-world RPG set in medieval times, and I’m controlling a group of mercenaries. They have to make tough moral decisions as they go through the grindset. That pitch sounds pretty good in and of itself – I’ve rarely found a big fantasy world full of treasure that I haven’t wanted to loot. The real appeal of Wartales is its excellent co-op play, scratching an itch I haven’t had scratched since DivinityOriginal Sin 2.

You can also find out more about the following: WartalesI select a humble background for my political party. Perhaps we’re a bunch of farmers trying to find a better life, or some deserters fleeing an abusive captain’s lash. Luckily, we’re in a war-torn land full of refugees, property disputes, roving gangs of bandits, and nests packed to the brim with plague-ridden rats. Someone has to take care of all these problems, and I’m happy to do so in exchange for cash, reputation bonuses, and better equipment.

In single-player games, I am in control of every player. We split the workload in a cooperative game. We split the load in a co-op game. In one game, my husband and I each control a mercenary at first. It’s easy to start a game of WarTalesThe game is very generous with saving your progress.

Image: Shiro Games/Shiro Unlimited

Even though things can sometimes go wrong or the host drops out, it only takes seconds to get everyone back together. It’s not exactly a drop-in and drop-out kind of game; we gotta get the whole crew together before we can start. But that’s OK. But that’s okay. WartalesYou get the same feel as a traditional tabletop game without worrying about finding a DM. We can set out on the roads with some new quests in hand, ready to kick ass and cook boar… and we’re all out of salt.

We chatter amongst each other, stopping occasionally to take a final decision. Would it be better to save up the gold and hire this new archer or recruit him from the local tavern instead? Should we punish the lumber mill owner who is trying to protect his business, or let some refugees run the place instead? Is it better to pay the price for the valuable ore or risk being prosecuted if we steal it?

The game expects some level of cooperation and accord; you’re bound to your partners as you travel across the overworld. Everyone must click when there is a selection prompt or a need to leave the menu. A rogue agent can force the party’s hand by clicking and holding for a few seconds. For the sake of harmony, we ask our friends to carefully consider each option. This is where the role-play comes in, as things are usually a little more nuanced than “punch a villager” or “rout a mean bandit.” Instead, we have to consider whether to respect the local folklore, determine the morals of property rights, and decide the fate of each region in turn.

Image: Shiro Games/Shiro Unlimited

As these garden-variety troubles progress, they become more complex and challenging. Grumpy serfs or property disputes are replaced by challenges better suited to a fantasy band. The first couple of zones are relatively tranquil, which felt a little slow in single-player – but the curve makes for a perfect pace for co-op. The game can be made less linear by changing difficulty scales based upon your choices.

Sometimes, trading and talking are not enough. You have to get down on the ground. It is important to place each mercenary in the correct position. Each battle is a top down grid-based fight. You can use flanking to gain bonuses. Time your turns so that you do the maximum amount of damage. And dodge any environmental effects such as falling stones or lightning bolts. If we’re not careful, we can lose one of our mercenaries, who are valuable investments as they pick up experience, talents, and specializations.

There are a few annoyances – going to town with a full load of cargo and 10 small tasks can turn into a headache as everyone clicks around, trying to complete their business. It can also take a while to find the right group. If you start a game with friends and another pal wants to join up later, you’ll have to start over to add them in. It took me a few tries to figure that out.

But co-op RPGs are a rare treat, so these mild hurdles are nothing compared to the delight I’ve found in Wartales. The story’s a little thin for a single-player game, but it’s the perfect amount of voice acting and text to read through while chatting on Discord with friends. I’m excited to see how our adventures develop when we hit the trail next.

WarTalesThe game is now available for Steam at $34.99 and has seen a lot of content added during its early access period. It’s worth checking out, especially if you have a hankering for a social game with a reliable group of friends.