This Warsaw of Mine?
The Thaumaturge is an isometric, story-rich RPG with a unique take on turn-based combat, character development features, and investigation mechanics, facing you with morally ambiguous choices set in a world teeming with mysterious powers and strange ethereal beings called Salutors.
I wasnât sure what to expect when I started playing The Thaumaturge, but it definitely wasnât this. Your character has powers that are dwindling, so he turns to Rasputin to help him reconnect to his Salutor. The tone of the game is superb with gritty vibes throughout and I was impressed with the story as a whole. It definitely peaked my interest and got me through to the end.
Your âSalutorâ can sense things, so it can highlight objects or persons of interest to talk to, while conversations can change depending on where you apply skill points and what path you decide to take. Combat is turn-based, but your Salutor can predict what your enemyâs next move is, so you can plan accordingly. Itâs not the most exciting combat system out there, but it gets the job done.
The real meat of the game is to be found in its story and the choices you make. The voice-acting in particular is superb and believable, while the visuals are impressive as well. Framerate is solid, load times are short and the soundtrack is brilliant too. I wouldnât expect anything less from the minds from This War of Mine and the Frostpunk series.
The Verdict
The Thaumaturge is a game with a great premise, memorable characters and difficult decisions to make. Add that with great voice-acting and decent visuals and you have an isometric RPG well worth your time, despite the rather dull combat.
Score: 7.5