Solium Infernum is Civilization meets Doom meets sex appeal

pcgamesn.com:

Since I first saw it back in 2022, Solium Infernum has consistently captured my imagination. A strategy game set in a classic, Dante-inspired version of Hell, it casts you as one of several ‘Archfiends’ as they fight, debate, and conspire to take over the infernal throne now that Lucifer has gone missing. Civilization, Age of Empires, and more bureaucratically centered strategy sims like Tropico are clear reference points, but there’s an affection and an energy in Solium Infernum’s fire and brimstone aesthetic that comes right from John Romero’s Doom designs.

It has asynchronous multiplayer, dozens of units and factions, and a seriously refreshing focus on manipulation and political psychology. And now, thanks to an exclusive interview with League of Geeks co-founder Ty Carey, we can see that Solium Infernum is also bringing – to quote one of the great artists of the 21st century – ‘sexy back,’ with the introduction of new Archfiend Andromalius.

If you haven’t encountered Solium Infernum before, here’s the deal. Lucifer has vanished. Hell’s throne is vacant. And out of this power vacuum come several faction leaders – members of the Infernal Conclave – vying with one another for total dominion over the underworld. Like any grand strategy game, military might is vital.

But where some Archfiends specialize in open battle, others are more cunning and deceptive. At various times throughout each game, the Conclave will meet to debate, deal, and threaten one another. Make the right allegiances, and you can conspire and machinate your way to victory. Anger the wrong people, and it can affect your standing in front of the rest of Hell’s political class, making it harder to strike deals and recruit units.

In my first meeting