It feels like every year for the past decade, we’ve been saying thatDungeons and Dragonsis in the best place it’s ever been. In a post-Baldur’s Gate 3world, that rings truer than ever. Building a character and pretending to be someone else for a bit has massive casual appeal, so much so that people were willing to dive deep intoLarian’s layered CRPG mechanics just to enjoy the roleplaying experience.
EnterWorlds of Aria. This multiplayer, tabletop-inspired RPG was pitched to me as a “cosy” way to get the D&D experience, without having to know anything about its different classes, spells, and stats. Instead, Worlds of Aria goes all in on narrative choices and working as a team, trying to emulate the feeling of having a laugh with your friends around the table.
Worlds Of Aria Is Approachable And Focussed On Multiplayer
As is immediately apparent from the UI, Worlds of Aria is much simpler than most RPGs inspired by D&D. Instead of bombarding you with numbers and a plethora of attacks in your arsenal, each encounter just asks you to choose an action for your character. Will you charge in head-first against the enemy? Will you try to run away? Will you steal some loot while the rest of your party has your opponent distracted?
I’m told that each scenario will have between three to five choices, it doesn’t get too complicated, even towards the end. Each campaign will be short as well, ranging from two to four hours long. They’re all interconnected, but can be played in any order.
This focus on ease of entry can also be seen in how Worlds of Aria is being distributed. Like It Takes Two, you’ll only need one copy of the game to play in multiplayer. Your buddies can download a free “Friend’s Pass” that lets them join your campaign as long as you have a copy of the game.
I enjoyed what I saw of Worlds of Aria, from its approachability to its gorgeous art style and presentation, but I was left wondering if it will stick the landing past its first campaign, even if you’re playing with friends. What I saw was pretty simplistic - getting past a baddie and taking some loot - so I hope that the encounters later in the game will add layers of complexity to this, and perhaps a grander sense of threat. That’s what makes tabletop games so engaging, after all.
Since World of Aria is going all-in on the decision-making aspect of D&D, I also can’t help but feel that it’s missing a trick in only letting players choose from pre-made characters. For many of us, designing our own adventurer is the best part, and is an area of D&D that’s easily accessible and beloved.Wildermyth, a game that came to mind while I played World of Aria, does this, and allows the player to truly craft stories of their own. Add multiplayer to that formula, and I can see that having a lot of staying power.
At the very least, youcando whatever you want with your character once you’ve selected them. Even if you’re playing as a warrior, you can insist ontryingto sneak around like a rogue. Maybe the dice rolls will be in your favour, or maybe not. But the freedom is there.
In any case, even if Worlds of Aria doesn’t reach its true potential, the potential is still there. This simple, approachable game design could easily be built upon, allowing for more complicated scenarios or even character creation. It’s well worth trying out if you and your D&D pals are looking for a short burst of tabletop fun, especially if someone in your group is only just dipping their toe in, but I do wish it leaned more into the roleplaying part of a roleplaying game.
Worlds of Aria
WHERE TO PLAY
Lead your own adventuring party on an epic exploit inspired by tabletop role-playing games. Invite your friends to the group with the Buddy Pass, or strike out on your own. Collaboration, betrayal, and the luck of the dice…what wild escapades will you and your companions embark on?You open your eyes. Your hands are bound. You take a look around: you’re about to be sacrificed for a demonic ritual.You’ve got to escape, but how? Will you set fire to the camp? Bribe the cultists? Or will you give yourself to the fiendish monster?Dive into the unknown and live out your dreams of leading your very own adventuring party. Inspired by tabletop role-playing games, experience a story of chaos and conspiracies within the kingdom of Aria where your choices can change the outcome.EXPERIENCE AN ADVENTURE IN GROUPWith online, local, and cross-platform play, invite your friends to your party. What role will they take on for the journey? Work together to complete epic scenes full of twists and turns, then roll the dice to try your luck.Was that a critical success?! Oops…maybe not. But don’t worry, you can replay scenes to discover all possible endings and secrets, no matter how chaotic the outcome.COLLABORATE OR BETRAY…Assess the situation and the various choices you can make to progress further in your story with your companions. Convince your party to side with you or betray them all at the last moment. You may have told them you’d follow the law, but what if you let your evil side out?This is a story of conspiracies, choice, and chaos, so don’t be afraid to create some drama of your own.INSPIRED BY ROLE-PLAYING GAMESPlay as up to 12 characters, each with their own special skillsets and personalities, from the Mage to the Merchant. Create your perfect group to help you through the story.Encounter various creatures and NPCs, all inspired by tabletop role-playing games. And don’t forget to collect the legendary treasures and items that you might uncover on your adventures. You’ll need them to triumph over the dangers you’ll face!FEATURES- Play alone or with up to 4 people in online, local, and cross-platform play.- Carry out a legendary quest in a fantastical world brimming with drama.- Collaborate to accomplish your goals as a team, or scheme for your own gains.- Roll the dice to reveal the outcome of your choices.- Roleplay to your heart’s content! Choose between 12 characters, each with a unique skillset, personality, and voice.- A tabletop experience come to life! Dungeon-dive and encounter creatures and characters inspired by fantasy TTRPGs.- Take on the role of up to 12 unique characters, with their own skills, personalities, and voices.- Encounter creatures, characters, and caches all inspired by fantasy and tabletop roleplaying games.- Packed with replayability, reroll the dice and retell the story in brand new ways.
