When I first dipped my toes into the world of tabletop RPGs, what struck me was how much you could get by without knowing too much. A skilled game master has this knack for guiding newcomers through thrilling adventures, making sure the rules don’t become a barrier even if you’re a bit lost. Worlds of Aria tries to capture that essence, offering a Dungeons and Dragons-like experience that’s friendly and fun, perfect for those who may not know all the ins and outs of traditional tabletop games.
This game lets you dive into its whimsical worlds either by yourself or with up to three others, be it at home or online. If you’re flying solo or have fewer players, the game slips CPU-controlled characters into the empty slots, though they lack independent AI. Instead, your character adopts these extras, meaning you control all four if you’re alone. For my partner and me, playing together meant we each took on one extra character, doubling up on adventure duties.
The narrative unfolds through a sequence of story snapshots, with dialogue-driven choices that steer the plot in different directions. At one point, you might encounter a guard and have the option to fight, bribe, sneak past, or offer him a drink. Each player can take different actions, and how well these fare depends on individual character stats, conveniently displayed as a success percentage. Sometimes success hinges on what others do, adding a fun layer of unpredictability to each decision.
Skill outcomes are decided by rolling percentile dice—those trusty ten-sided ones. Your character’s skill level determines how likely you are to roll successfully. For instance, with a 75% chance, you need a roll of 75 or less. It’s an intuitive system that’s easy to grasp. Add to that each character’s unique powers, which can be game-changers but are limited in use. My wizard, for instance, could draw a card to adjust my roll’s outcome, while my wife’s pirate needed gold coins to wield her ability. Another character could conjure the best outcome, but only three times through the campaign. I sometimes craved deeper combat mechanics to spice things up, but the simplicity keeps it approachable.
However, the user interface does stumble a bit. Clearly designed with a keyboard and mouse in mind, the transition to a controller feels awkward at times. You might be smoothly moving a cursor one moment, then clumsily shifting between UI elements the next. During crucial decision moments, this inconsistency can be frustrating, especially when managing more than one character. I even encountered moments where I dropped items behind irretrievable UI layers—something that could use smoothing out.
Worlds of Aria offers an engaging, cleverly written experience that feels like a lighthearted tabletop session. It’s ideal for bringing together seasoned players and newcomers alike, as long as complex mechanics aren’t expected. The game really shines with a full party of human players; without them, you’re just juggling extra characters. While the UI has its quirks, the game remains a delightful mix that seamlessly blends the spirit of tabletop RPGs with the sociability of party games.
