SOLDA is a sci-fi mystery visual novel that places players in the role of a rookie investigator navigating a city where emotions are systematically suppressed. Developed as an indie action title for PC, the game centers on uncovering crimes in the controlled environment of AUREX through careful observation and deduction rather than combat or exploration in the traditional sense.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around point-and-click investigation of crime scenes. Players examine objects, gather physical evidence, and piece together details from the environment. This feeds directly into interrogation sequences where an emotion scanner becomes the primary tool. The scanner renders hidden feelings visible in real time, with specific colors indicating states such as anger or joy, allowing mismatches between spoken testimony and actual emotional responses to surface as key evidence.
Evidence and statements combine on an augmented reality interface to form hypotheses about events and suspects. These reconstructions determine the direction of the case. Decisions on what to present or withhold during confrontations influence the outcome, creating a deduction-focused experience that emphasizes logical connections over action sequences.
Game Modes
SOLDA operates as a single-player narrative experience without separate competitive or cooperative modes. The structure follows an episodic format, beginning with a prologue case involving a loan shark's assault and robbery. Subsequent cases build on prior findings, with player choices shaping multiple distinct endings based on the conclusions reached and evidence selected.
Progression relies on replaying sections to test alternative hypotheses and explore different suspect interactions. This design rewards repeated playthroughs focused on refining deduction skills rather than unlocking additional gameplay variants.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in a brutalist sci-fi world where emotion is engineered out of daily life as an inefficiency. SOLDA, the protagonist, uses her scanner to detect the smallest emotional tremors that persist despite suppression. As cases advance, the investigation expands beyond individual crimes to examine broader questions about the value of feeling in a system designed to eliminate it.
Suspects each carry personal motives and hidden details that emerge through scanner-assisted questioning. The story integrates these elements to explore themes of control and self-discovery without relying on external lore or prior entries in any series.
Is It Worth Playing?
SOLDA suits players who enjoy story-rich visual novels centered on investigation and logical deduction. Its unique emotion scanner mechanic provides a consistent focal point across interrogations, while the hypothesis-building system encourages deliberate decision-making. The hand-crafted art style supports the noir atmosphere, and the episodic structure allows for focused sessions that build toward branching conclusions.
Those seeking fast-paced action or multiplayer elements will find the experience more limited, as the title prioritizes narrative depth and mechanical consistency over variety in gameplay formats. Availability on PC makes it accessible for dedicated fans of the genre who value careful clue combination and multiple outcome paths.
