Does it have any fault ?
I love a sci - fi or fantasy secret plan as much as the next twist - based RPG fan , but I like something original even more . Welcome to The Thaumaturge — a dark and gritty tale pose in nineteenth - 100 Warsaw where magic and demons subsist .
Atmosphere
While not a repulsion biz per se , The Thaumaturgecertainly lean into the exciting yet life-threatening metropolis life of the full stop . In the poorer areas , you see the clay ooze down the streets and the danger lurking around every recess , while in the richer suburbs , it is replaced with haughtiness and excessiveness , which are just as dangerous in their own ways .
Weather effects and the ability to wait for different fourth dimension of day in each area help make Warsaw come alive , as arena genuinely sense dissimilar at each time of solar day . Happy rivalry turn to desperate drunken stumbling , and that into the calm of morning . It is all polish out with a lilting easterly folk - enthused grudge that I ground quite beautiful , but that can turn sinister in the blink of an middle .
Score : 4.5/5 star
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Narrative
You ’ll find yourself getting into a good deal of fights in The Thaumaturge , but it ’s the narrative that drives the biz . Thankfully , it ’s excellent . Wiktor , the game ’s master protagonist , is a flawed and complex mortal . Flaws themselves area fundamental chemical element of the game , as Wiktor feeds on his chief defect , pride , and those of others to naturalize the salutors ( think demons ) he controls .
The family relationship are largely credible and the important ones ( such as with his sister and the orphic Rasputin ) , are complex and well - developed . The game often suggest at the grandness of your tale selection without ever giving away their influence . ‘ Your sister will call up that ’ , we ’re tell . Whether you want to take this as a role - actor or a zero - sum total gamer , it works either style .
This is all serve by some largely fantabulous vocalism acting . Some speech pattern are a little jarring , as you ’ll have Eastern European one minute , American or English the next , and then Jewish or Italian . As this was a porthole I expect it ’s an accurate portrayal , but I ’d have preferred it if some of the actors had modulate it down a little rather than hamming it up . However , the most authoritative characters are very well played .
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Score : 4.5 asterisk
Related : The Thaumaturge fighting difficulty level guide - Gameplay differences
Combat
As a lover of tactical turn - based combat , I was incredibly impressed with the engagement in The Thaumaturge . You ’ll always front multiple opponents performing a smorgasbord of attacks at differing speed , and mostly with some kind of defence you need to work around ( damage simplification , issue block , etc ) . You prefer one attempt for yourself and one from any of your opt salutors . As you tear down up you earn onslaught upgrades ; the story drip mould - prey you more salutors , which allows you to mix and match for a gamy number of combinations . Better still , you may blend and equalise as you go , rather than being tied to these decision .
Another nice touch is the action saloon . This permit you to see when you ’ll next be hit , and by whom . you could plan quick or slow attacks , so it ’s possible to hit multiple times before your foe does . This brings in a strong element of timing that manages to add latent hostility despite the turn - based nature of each battle . There ’s also a mere three - level trouble system you’re able to interchange at any time outside of battles , so those wanting to concentrate on the account can give themselves an easier drive .
One downside is that some of the interactions around them seem a small forced . As if someone settle there should be a fight around now and shoehorn a scenario in to make it happen . I also felt that later fights did n’t scale all that well , as things seemed to get easier . I could ’ve done with a few more interesting twists being add up to late battle on the enemy side . However , it ’s preferable to the usual tactical conflict biz error of just making fight last longer as the plot goes on .
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Exploration
If the secret plan is break down to split opinion anywhere , it will be on the geographic expedition side of the plot . You move around beautifully draw isometrical scenes , with the explorable area increase as the narration develops . You have a perception science you may use to discover concealed points of interest group , with these observance fueling the storyline , opening up optional side quests , and gaining you experience point .
The system works well but it ’s also a con . Wiktor put together clue to piece together puzzles , get to the bottom of character ’ flaws and motives . I enjoyed explore the various location , but you ’re hand - held through the entire outgrowth , never doing any puzzling for yourself .
Wiktor will exclaim that no secret is safe when he ’s around , but you love you ’ve constitute all the info by clicking the perception push and following the ruby track across the screen . In a biz that gets so much else right , the want of any indigence to exercise your head out of doors of combat is a misstep .
Score : 4 star
Related : How to get all Salutors in The Thaumaturge
Progression
As you earn experience in The Thaumaturge you garner thaumaturgy point . These can be spend across four dimensions that open further as you find and enchant salutors from those specific dimensions . You ’ll want to circulate out your point , as higher scores in each property give you a high chance to put to work out the clues you find through percept . Points also open up new fight attack and climb , give you more choice when it do to combat .
This work well and feed nicely into both geographic expedition and fight . However , if like me you ’re someone who completes all the side pursuit and explores every recession , you ’ll presently find these selection irrelevant . It ’s simple to get all the experience you need if you go everywhere and do everything , so there are no tough choices or any fear of miss out .
Those who love armoury teaser and choosing their gear are also in for a letdown . While you could add to your closet and get your hair make out , this is purely there for aesthetics and accomplishment . Gear is almost non - actual beyond being triggers for side quests , and even then you do n’t need to do anything . Again , it ’s all a little smoke - and - mirrors and I ca n’t help thinking they ’d have been better off not including it at all .
Verdict - A narrative and tactical treat
The Thaumaturge is an first-class narrative game with a fantastic turn - based combat system . The plot line is compelling , the characters are deep , and the splendid graphical style is complement with a great scotch . It is only a picayune let down by suggest at things it does n’t give birth on , such as vex and abstruse selection in terms of gear , which is a ignominy as it does n’t need them . Those shortcoming and all , it ’s a must - play for RPG fans .
A gratis copy of the game was provided to PGG by the publishing house for inspection purposes .
If you want to read more about the Thaumaturge , we ’ve got you cover at Pro Game Guides . Check outThe Thaumaturge Attack Upgrades Tier ListandThe Thaumaturge beginners ' guide - steer and whoremonger !
