Warsaw, 1905. A city steeped in history, simmering with unrest, and now, haunted by something far more sinister than political intrigue alone! Beneath the veneer of cobblestone streets and elegant facades lurks a hidden world, one where otherworldly entities known as Salutors whisper promises and sow discord. In The Thaumaturge, you are Wiktor Szulski, a man burdened with the ability to perceive and manipulate these spectral beings. Can you control the forces you wield, or will they ultimately consume you? Read on to find out!

An Intrigue of the Arcane

The Thaumaturge presents a unique blend of historical fiction, RPG mechanics, and supernatural investigation, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Warsaw. It invites players to step into the shoes of Wiktor Szulski, a man burdened with a hereditary gift – or perhaps a curse – that allows him to perceive and manipulate otherworldly entities known as Salutors. This sets the stage for a narrative-driven experience where uncovering secrets, confronting personal demons (in both the mental and literal senses alike), and navigating the complexities of a world on the brink of change are all intertwined.

A Thaumaturge’s Toolkit

The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, investigation, and turn-based combat. As Wiktor, players will traverse the streets of Warsaw, interacting with a diverse cast of characters, gathering clues, and utilising their unique thaumaturgical abilities to unravel mysteries. The narrative is deeply ingrained in the gameplay, with choices and consequences shaping Wiktor’s journey and the fates of those around him.

The story delves into themes of family legacy, moral ambiguity, and the clash between tradition and modernity, all while exploring the rich cultural tapestry of pre-World War I Warsaw. The characters that you interact with are all well-developed and fleshed out nicely. They are all convincing and enhance the story in their own way.

Wiktor’s Thaumaturgy enables him to sense aspects of the environment that may be worthy of further inspection, and also help direct him towards any active objectives. These abilities are both unique and intuitive, allowing players to step into the role of a thaumaturge more convincingly.

The Fabric of Reality

The Thaumaturge features a unique blend of RPG mechanics, including character progression, skill development, and a system of moral choices that influence the narrative. The turn-based combat system incorporates the use of Salutors, each possessing unique abilities that can be strategically employed in battle.

If you aren’t familiar with Salutors, then read on. Thaumaturges draw upon the power of Salutors, which are supernatural entities that enhance Thaumaturges’ combat prowess and conversational abilities, forging bonds to channel their unique energies. From debilitating disruptions to powerful offensive strikes, each Salutor offers a distinct range of abilities to enhance a Thaumaturge’s arsenal. In simple terms, what that means is that Salutors help Thaumaturges find things out much more easily than mere mortals like us.

In terms of extracting information from their surroundings, including the environment and civilians alike, Thaumaturges’ decisions affect the game world permanently. That means that Wiktor’s actions and choices leave lasting consequences on the game world.

Combat is a strategic, turn-based affair enhanced by supernatural elements. Battles unfold with a visible timeline dictating turn order, demanding tactical foresight. Players control Wiktor, who can utilise the unique abilities of Salutors. The Salutors offer a range of tactical options, from disruptive abilities and damage-over-time effects to powerful direct attacks, allowing for diverse strategies. Combining Wiktor’s own skills with those of his Salutors is crucial for maximising effectiveness. While Salutors feature in combat, their actual impact is less pronounced than initially expected, which can be somewhat disappointing at first. However, the core combat mechanics remain engaging despite this limited involvement.

A Warsaw in Detail

The Thaumaturge boasts detailed environments that capture the atmosphere of early 20th-century Warsaw, featuring a distinct art style that blends realism with supernatural elements. The audio design complements the visuals, with a fitting soundtrack and voice acting that bring the characters and world to life. (Salutors sound especially terrifying!)

Echoes of the Past

With its branching narrative, multiple endings, and a system of moral choices, The Thaumaturge offers considerable replay value. Players can revisit the game to explore different paths, make alternative choices, and uncover new facets of the story.

A Verdict from the Veil

The Thaumaturge presents a compelling narrative-driven experience with a unique blend of historical fiction, RPG mechanics, and supernatural elements. It is slow to start, and given that there is a lot of reading and listening involved, some may find it hard to follow along for long periods. However, the detailed world, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking themes create a captivating atmosphere, with the game’s success ultimately hinging on the execution of its ambitious ideas and the depth of its gameplay systems. The combat is decent and the animations are done very well. It is a shame, however, that Wiktor can’t include Salutors in a deeper way during combat as their appearance and powers alone make them all seem like incredibly tough entities to deal with! Overall, The Thaumaturge is a highly immersive game once gameplay picks up and players are bound to have an exciting time.

Grade: 8/10