The spotlight in the French gaming industry currently shines on Sandfall Interactive, renowned for its award-winning title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This game has garnered significant acclaim, even receiving recognition from French President Emmanuel Macron, who has lauded it as a milestone for French creativity. While such achievements can elevate a region’s profile, they can also create competitive pressure.

One studio feeling this competitive edge is Tactical Adventures, which is set to release its role-playing game, Solasta 2, for early access tomorrow, March 12th. The game finds itself often compared to Baldur’s Gate 3 for various valid reasons; however, it has its own unique elements that distinguish it.

Despite the comparisons, Tactical Adventures embraces the success of its fellow French studio. When asked about their feelings regarding the achievements of Sandfall Interactive, CEO Mathieu Girard and marketing director Pierre Worgague simultaneously expressed a sense of “pride.”

Girard reflected on their past connection with the Sandfall team, recalling a meeting at a Tex Mex restaurant where the Sandfall founders sought guidance on establishing their studio. Now, years later, Girard finds himself reaching out to them for advice on Unreal Engine. “It’s amusing to see how far we’ve come,” he remarked.

He continued by praising Sandfall, indicating that their success serves as a motivational benchmark. “They are fantastic people, and we are both incredibly proud of their accomplishments, which are truly remarkable,” he noted. “Though mimicking their prize-winning success will certainly be a challenge,” he added with a smile.

Worgague echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are huge admirers of what they’ve achieved. It showcases the potential of French game development.”

Interestingly, both studios share a connection through their involvement with Kepler Interactive. While Kepler played a key role in publishing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it also holds a major investment in Tactical Adventures, although this relationship isn’t prominently featured on Solasta 2’s Steam page, where Tactical Adventures is listed as the publisher. Girard clarified that they maintain full creative control and flexibility.

Reflecting on their experience with Kepler, Girard emphasized the importance of quality in game development. “The core takeaway is that the quality of a game significantly influences its success,” he stated. He acknowledged that Kepler allowed Sandfall the time needed to refine their game extensively.

“We’ve received similar guidance from Kepler for Solasta 2: take the necessary time to ensure high-quality polish, even at the early access stage. Today, players expect nearly the same level of quality as a finished product during early access; otherwise, they can be quite critical, which is understandable given past disappointments in that area. This commitment to quality is a crucial factor for achieving success in the current market.”

Solasta 2 is set to debut in early access on Steam tomorrow, promising an engaging experience that is still evolving, with approximately 10-15 hours of content available at launch. Future updates will introduce additional character classes, races, online co-op multiplayer, as well as crafting systems. The foundation laid so far indicates a strongly promising start.