The Thaumaturge Review (PS5, PC, Xbox Series X & S)

If you were to leaf through the pages of any historical book, chances are you'd encounter tales of war. The early 1900s presented numerous challenges, marking it as a somber chapter in human history. For Poland, this reality was particularly harsh. It's no wonder, then, that 11 Bit Studios chose 1905 as the backdrop for its supernatural narrative-driven RPG. Few games delve into history and intricately weave complex narratives using folklore settings. But The Thaumaturge is one such game that embraces this concept and executes it masterfully. 

My first glimpse of the game came in 2019, when the studio announced it as Project Vitriol. Initially, the project had a different focus, but it still revolved around the idea of the protagonist being a magician.

So, what's the game all about? Set in an alternate version of 1905 Warsaw, The Thaumaturge thrusts players into the shoes of a gifted exorcist, also known as a Thaumaturge. Yet, at the heart of this gift is his pride. Ironically, it attracts the attention of the same malevolent apparitions he vehemently fights. Will his pride rule the day? Or will he finally face his demons?

The Thaumaturge strikes a delicate balance of atmosphere, exceptional writing, and innovative ideas. All these are seamlessly delivered through choice-driven gameplay. Despite a few minor technical hiccups, this game could be a contender for the Game of the Year award, unless a formidable challenger emerges. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's delve into the good, bad, and pitfalls in our The Thaumaturge review.

The Demon Hunter

From the outside, one can be forgiven for mistaking The Thaumaturge for a John Wick and The Witcher crossover. It has a demon-haunting element and a protagonist with a troubled past striving to be the day’s hero. 

Wiktor Szulski is your average Thaumaturge who returns to his home city after his father passes away. He is accompanied by the mythical Rasputin, who has his own plans for his hometown. Poland appears to have more than meets the eye. At least for the thaumaturges who can see and interact with the ‘salutors.’ 

The city’s populace is grappling with these metaphysical creatures that feed off pride and envy, two mutually coexisting human emotions. Unfortunately for our protagonist, pride is a vice that cripples his personality. As a result, he also has a Pikachu-esque demon attached to his side, Upyr. The floating-canned spirit represents his pride and the spirit of a soldier Wiktor interacted with as a child. The game draws on the metaphor of ‘battling your own demons’ since Wiktr can do nothing about his creature. But perhaps he chooses not to because Upyr is an invaluable subject during combat, which you’ll learn about later. But as the story unfolds, Upyr isn't the only salutor you come across. Besides helping the town’s inhabitants with their own demons, you’ll acquire more flaws, attracting more salutors. Eventually, this impacts the gameplay to a certain degree, which brings us to the next segment of our review.

Sherlock is Home

While one might assume that Wiktor's ability to see and interact with demons is a heavy burden. However, there's more to this character than meets the eye. Thanks to his Perception skills, Wiktor possesses the remarkable ability to sense the presence of a soul simply through touch. It's akin to entering a room after someone has left and discerning their presence from the lingering scent—a skill Wiktor accomplishes with his hands. Moreover, he can touch objects like parchment and discern not only who handled them but also their emotions and thoughts. In the real world, such abilities would swiftly resolve open cases. However, in the game, it adds an intriguing layer to Wiktor's character and enriches the gameplay experience. Particularly as he seeks to uncover the truth behind his father's death.

Yet, the investigation goes beyond merely finding clues and chasing Eureka moments. Players must also master the power of the four dimensions: Heart, Deed, Mind, and Word. These dimensions serve as Wiktor's primary toolkit in his detective work. Additionally, interactions with everyday objects reveal levels of mystery and mysticism. The dimensions play a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries. Depending on the player's choices, they may align more closely with one dimension or evenly distribute their focus among all four. Ideally, achieving a balance between the dimensions is akin to attaining a state of investigative zen.

Make Wise Choices, Or Suffer the Consequences

The Thaumaturge revolves around a choice-driven storyline. The game presents players with a deck of weighty decisions. The silver lining, however, is that you retain control over these challenges through your choices. You'll encounter dialogue scenes with multiple-choice options, allowing you to dictate the direction of the story. The challenging situations in which each choice influences the game's progression and interactions with your sister.

Speaking of sisters, familial relationships are a significant aspect of the narrative. They lend a relatable touch reminiscent of 19th-century Polish family dynamics. The storyline delves into Wiktor's relationship with his estranged father. Inheriting his father's gift, Wiktor finds himself grappling with the family's history. Simultaneously, he is also fighting the dark plane of existence that surrounds the thaumaturges. Despite the tensions within the family, his sister harbors a deep desire to reunite them. On the other hand, Wiktor himself bears the weight of his troubled past and the responsibilities tied to his gift. Evidently, from his rough shape, it signifies the burdens he carries. Alongside personal struggles, he navigates the legacy of the Szulski family and the political climate of Warsaw. With so much weighing on his shoulders, it's no wonder he appears worn-down, sporting eye bags as big as a football.

Wingardium Leviosa

As a Potterhead, the turn-based combat in The Thaumaturge brings to mind the epic showdown between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Remember where Nagini and Harry's owl both played significant roles? Similarly, thaumaturges harness the power of their Salutors in combat. However, it's about more than just landing the perfect punch or hitting targets accurately. Players must target and destroy their opponent's focus points. This is a clever mechanic that demands a delicate balance between defensive and offensive playstyles. Manipulating your opponent's focus renders them weak and vulnerable to powerful attacks. 

Both Wiktor and Upyr possess the necessary abilities for this technique, introduced early in the game to set the stage. Progression calls for more advanced strategies against different Salutors. This means each requires unique attack strategies. Once an adversary's focus is lost, they enter a “breakdown status,” allowing players to unleash devastating, strong attacks and deal significant damage.

The combat system is exceptionally well-crafted. It offers a nuanced approach that grows more complex as players progress. However, it never becomes overwhelming, as specific tactics may prove effective initially. But you may need to adapt based on the situation. This dynamic aspect adds depth to the gameplay and keeps the combat engaging throughout the game.

The Good

The attention to detail in The Thaumaturge is truly remarkable. Every element is meticulously crafted and delivered. From an isometric perspective, players can fully immerse themselves in Wiktor's environment. This means you can pay attention to specific details. Moreover, the lighting effects add depth to the game. The cast shadows distinguish between dingy and fancy areas with striking illumination.

Additionally, the game's setting is particularly unique, blending political chaos with demon hunting. Given that the developer, Fool's Theory, is also working on The Witcher remake, it's evident how the concept of monster hunting comes to life in The Thaumaturge.

While the character models may appear somewhat rough around the edges, they are still well-designed. Plus, it doesn't detract from the game’s key elements. Additionally, the voice acting is top-notch. The well-thought-out and engaging dialogue feels blatantly realistic and filled with moments of sarcasm and dark humor. 

Finally, the game’s combat is very fluid. Plus, the skill tree feeds into its overarching mechanic. Anything you do with your ability grants you experience, which levels up your character. The diverse growth I experienced with Wiktor, especially with the influence of my choices, solidifies the game’s ranking as a potential ‘AAA’ title. Overall, The Thaumaturge goes above and beyond in creating an immersive and captivating gaming experience.

The Bad

Performance-wise, the game has a few lag issues. In some instances, you may notice mismatched voice acting. Moreover, some challenging battle sequences can result in a drop in the frame rate. However, this is nothing a good patch won't fix.

Verdict

The Thaumaturge is a riveting mix of atmospheric setting, great dialogue, and stunning environments. It is apparent that the game was made with lots of love and sweat—the ideal love letter to RPG fans. The game infuses a unique take on turn-based combat, adding a layer of depth and engagement to the gameplay. The narrative might be slow-burning, but it weaves seamlessly into the gameplay. The game takes an ambitious approach to exploring various themes of family and making ambiguous moral choices.