The Thaumaturge
" Immersive adventure RPG with rich story and strategic combat but repetitive, slow fights "
The Thaumaturge Review
The Thaumaturge offers a unique blend of historical fiction and supernatural elements set in early 20th-century Poland, immersing players in a richly detailed world reminiscent of titles like Witcher 3 and Disco Elysium. Players investigate spirits and political intrigues while balancing turn-based combat and dialogue-driven gameplay. The game's atmosphere, art direction, and sound design, especially the creative "Salutors," receive high praise for enhancing immersion.
However, the experience is somewhat marred by repetitive combat and pacing issues, with some players feeling overwhelmed by frequent battles that often force combat over dialogue due to experience gain mechanics. The story and character development are appreciated but sometimes criticized for lacking depth and failing to maintain engagement throughout. Technical glitches and occasional awkward voice acting also detract from the otherwise polished presentation. Overall, the game is a passion project with a niche appeal, best suited for players who enjoy investigative RPGs with a slow-burn narrative and atmospheric setting.
Highlights
Players praise the game's historical and supernatural setting, noting its immersive recreation of 1905 Poland. The artwork and sound design, particularly the unique "Salutors," are standout features that enrich the gameplay experience.
The narrative depth and morally ambiguous choices offer meaningful consequences, appealing to fans of story-rich RPGs. The combat system, while divisive, is recognized for its strategic elements and customization options. Voice acting and character interactions contribute positively to the overall atmosphere.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the repetitive and slow-paced combat, which many find tedious and unbalanced, pushing players toward fighting rather than dialogue to gain experience.
The story, while initially engaging, is seen as losing momentum mid-game with some characters feeling underdeveloped. Technical issues like occasional visual glitches and inconsistent voice acting break immersion. Some players also note the game's pacing suffers from excessive backtracking and lack of clear gameplay guidance, making progression feel tedious.
Pros
- • Immersive historical setting with supernatural elements enriches narrative depth and atmosphere.
- • Unique and creative "Salutors" system adds strategic layers to combat and story.
- • High-quality artwork and lighting create a visually appealing experience.
- • Engaging, morally ambiguous choices affect story outcomes and character development.
- • Sound design and music effectively enhance the eerie and tense mood.
- • Dialogue and investigation mechanics foster deep role-playing and exploration.
- • Multiple endings encourage replayability and experimentation with choices.
Cons
- • Combat is repetitive, slow, and often forces fighting over dialogue for experience.
- • Story pacing falters mid-game, with some characters lacking depth and development.
- • Excessive backtracking and similar environments make exploration tedious.
- • Technical glitches and occasional visual issues disrupt gameplay flow.
- • Inconsistent voice acting and awkward translations reduce immersion.
- • Lack of respec option limits player flexibility in skill progression.
- • Some gameplay mechanics and skill interactions are unclear or poorly explained.
Rating Criteria
The Thaumaturge is a character-driven RPG with a rich story, morally ambiguous choices, and turn-based combat. In a city on the brink of change, use your mystical powers to read emotions, uncover motives, and command folklore-inspired demons — while resisting the temptation of your own pride.