Spotlight on for “The Thaumaturge”

The Thaumaturge. Pic: Fool's Theory

“The Thaumaturge” is a story-driven RPG with morally ambiguous choices, taking place in the culturally diverse world of the early 20th-century Warsaw.
In this world, Salutors exist: esoteric beings that only Thaumaturges can truly perceive and use to their needs.

This story-driven RPG was developed in Unreal Engine 5 for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X by “Fool’s Theory” and published by “11 Bit Studios“, both are located in Poland.

A force that cannot be ignored

A thaumaturge bears both a gift and a burden at the same time. This parallel holds true
for Wiktor Szulski, who is drawn back to the tumultuous streets of 20th-century Warsaw
by family matters. The gift of thaumaturgy significantly shapes Wiktor’s life journey tied
around, a pursuit of unearthly Salutors and their hosts.

The Thaumaturge. Pic: 11bit Studios
The Thaumaturge in the streets of Warsaw. Pic: Fool’s Theory

As only a thaumaturge can tame them, utilizing their mystical abilities to discover secrets hidden within the human soul and speak to the Darkness, no one understands quite like Wiktor how everyone suffers
their own demons.

Obedience of beings

Only Thaumaturges can truly perceive the presence of esoteric Salutors and use their powers to their needs. Once captured, Salutors – whose existence is imperceptible to ordinary people – faithfully obey their masters.

The Thaumaturge in a fight. Pic: 11bit Studios
The Thaumaturge in a fight. Pic: Fool’s Theory

Next to being capable of influencing people’s temperaments and affinities, they serve as a useful tool during fights. And be prepared to be dragged into many of those from the dark alleys of infamous
districts like Praga and more.

Warsaw, 1905 AD

This isometric, story-rich RPG will portray Warsaw under the yoke of imperial Russian
tsardom. Its inhabitants constitute a diverse group of different ancestries, views, and
beliefs with often conflicting interests.

The Thaumaturge uses his senses to find clues. Pic: 11bit Studios
The Thaumaturge uses his senses to find clues. Pic: Fool’s Theory

Here hopes and dreams mix with dark desires, because darkness constantly lurks and waits to stigmatize its victims. “The Thaumaturge” will offer a unique take on turn-based combat, character development features, and investigation mechanics, and confront gamers with morally ambiguous choices.

My thoughts

I simply love it.
The gameplay is easy, just navigate with a left mouse-click to a spot or walk with WASD. However, if you use the keyboard, you cannot walk in a straight line and often have to use W with D or A to zic-zac through Warsaw’s streets. With a right mouse-click, you can use your powerful Thaumaturge senses, who lead to hidden objects or forgotten stuff, or you follow the thoughts of people, and it leads to side quests.

The battle system is round based, and you can use your Salutors to aid yourself, or harm your opponents.
It’s relatively easy and good explained. Think about some strategies, and even 4 enemies with guns and knives are no problem. Also, don’t forget to max out your skills.

It’s more story-driven rather than RPG, your choices in answers are limited. But that’s not a problem at all, since the story is excellent. It’s a lot of fun to see or interact with some of the famous people of that time.
It exceeded my expectations… and don’t forget to visit your barber or tailor sometimes.

System requirements

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (6 core with 3,5 Ghz) or Intel i5-10400F (6 core with 2,9 Ghz)
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Radeon RX580 (8GB) or Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti (4GB) or Intel Arc A750 8GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 25 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD (Recommended), HDD (Supported). Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. Ultrawide screen supported.

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (6 core with 3,5 Ghz) or Intel i5-10400F (6 core with 2,9 Ghz)
  • Memory: 32 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Radeon 6700xt (12GB) or Nvidia RTX 3060 TI (8GB) or Intel Arc A770 16GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 25 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD. Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. Ultrawide screen supported.

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.2: A Deep Dive into the Latest Enhancements

CD PROJEKT RED, in collaboration with Virtuos, has released a significant free update for Cyberpunk 2077, labeled Update 2.2. This update brings a host of improvements, including new character customization options, enhanced Photo Mode functionality, and various gameplay refinements. Available for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, this update is a testament to CD PROJEKT RED’s continued commitment to improving and expanding the Cyberpunk 2077 experience.

Continue reading “Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.2: A Deep Dive into the Latest Enhancements”

“The Edge of Allegoria” – a beautiful Pixel-RPG

The Edge of Allegoria - Pic: Button Factory Games

December 4th. was the publishing date for “The Edge of Allegoria”, a turn-based 2D role-playing game by Button Factory Games and CobraTekku Games (CTG). Released on PC with Game Boy aesthetics, adult humor and a huge game world with over 25 hours of gameplay.

This unique pixel RPG is definitely not aimed at children. “The Edge of Allegoria” is available for PC on Steam for €19.99, and is fully localized in both English and German.
Button Factory Games boss Joe Picknell’s describtion of the game: “Some Nudity and Sexual Content, Pervasive Coarse Language, Alcohol and Drug Use

Pic: Button Factory Games
Pic: Button Factory Games

What’s it about?

Joe Picknell of Toronto-area Button Factory Games told us at 2024 Gamescom about his game in-house development since 2021, published by CobraTekku Games. In this lovable indie 2D RPG full of monsters, magic, and adventure, the protagonist embarks on a journey to put an end to the ever-present danger (we won’t spoiler, but it’s as simple as that).

Pic: Button Factory Games
Pic: Button Factory Games

When asked what Joe Picknell thinks the best feature of the game is, the long-time pixel artist answered “the dog,” meaning the animal companion, which doesn’t necessarily have to be a dog. “The Edge of Allegoria” has a retro look from the Game Boy era and should take around 25 to 30 hours to complete. It offers 96 different weapons, 50 pieces of armor, 145 monster types, 41 boss fights, 31 dungeons, and 6 divine beings with their own domains.

Pic: Button Factory Games
Pic: Button Factory Games

The game is clearly designed for a player who has fun with the easy game mechanics and the mature language. It can be played either with keyboard or controller and you won’t need many settings.

Pic: Tim Spielmann
Pic: Tim Spielmann
Pic: Tim Spielmann
Pic: Tim Spielmann

Recommendation?

Simple answer – YES
Enjoy the time with this extraordinary game, and remember to pet your best friend from time to time.

Starforged: A Deckbuilder’s Guide to the Galaxy

A New Frontier in Solo Storytelling

Space. The final frontier. But what if that frontier was explored not through twitch reflexes and joystick mastery, but through the careful curation of a deck of cards? Enter Starforged, a solo (and cooperative) game that blends the vastness of space exploration with the strategic depth of deckbuilding.

As an avid fan of both space games and deckbuilders, I was immediately drawn to Starforged’s unique premise. This isn’t just about blasting asteroids or dogfighting with alien raiders (though those elements certainly exist!). It’s about forging your own path through a procedurally generated galaxy, making tough choices, and shaping your own narrative.

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Intel Secures $7.86 Billion in CHIPS Act Funding: A Deep Dive

A comprehensive look at Intel’s recent announcement and what it means for the company, the semiconductor industry, and the US economy.

On November 26, 2024, Intel and the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will award the company up to $7.86 billion in direct funding for its commercial semiconductor manufacturing projects under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. This1 award will support Intel’s previously announced plans to advance critical semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging projects at its sites in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and2 Oregon. Intel also plans to claim the U.S. Treasury Department’s Investment Tax Credit, which is expected to be up to 25% of qualified investments exceeding $100 billion.

This announcement demonstrates the U.S. government’s confidence in Intel’s vital role in building a resilient, trusted semiconductor supply chain on American soil. Since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act over two years ago, Intel has announced plans to invest more than $100 billion in the U.S. to expand chipmaking and advanced packaging capacity and capabilities critical to economic and national security. These historic investments will support tens of thousands of jobs, strengthen U.S. supply chains, foster U.S.-based R&D, and help ensure American leadership in cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing and technology capabilities.

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Of Ash and Steel Preview

Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost

‘Of Ash and Steel’ is an immersive third-person RPG set in a dangerous medieval fantasy open world, developed by a passionate team that values the essence of classic old-school RPGs and modern designs.
Explore the lands of a once-prosperous island, hone your combat skills, and survive in the unforgiving realm of the Kingdom of the Seven.

Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost
Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost

Rewarding World Exploration

‘Of Ash and Steel’ world is full of hidden treasures, underwater caves, side quests and bosses, and valuable loot. Some of these can be found with a treasure map, while others with pure luck. The game has no marker system, and quests won’t lead you by the hand. Rediscover the joy of exploration and let curiosity be your guide; the world promises rich rewards for those who dare to uncover its secrets.

Deep Character Progression and World Evolution

Build your characters as you like with three different skill branches: Survival, Craftsmanship and War. Allocate your character’s attribute points and unlock passive bonuses by exploring the world. The social system makes your progression even more noticeable: As the hero’s skills grow, the world around him reacts differently. If at the beginning of the game you were treated like a ragamuffin, by the end of the game the characters will literally bow to your feet.

Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost
Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost

Rich Storytelling

‘Of Ash and Steel’ is set in the low-fantasy cruel medieval world. Make your path from abandoned lowlife to a marshal of fortunes, choose your side and forge alliances on your journey to discover the truth of who you really are.

Methodical Action RPG Combat

The combat system in ‘Of Ash and Steel’ allows players to use 3 different combat stances with unique combat styles for different weapons. You are not a legendary, powerful Hero by default in ‘Of Ash and Steel’. You need to learn the ropes of becoming one! Learn to stand up for yourself by timing your attacks, using environments, and active skills. Invest in the War branch to become more skilled not just in numbers: attacks become more accurate and stronger, and you’ll learn more tricks. For example, you’ll be able to throw bottles from the ground to stun your opponents!

Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost
Of Ash and Steel. Pic: Fire Frost

Immersive Atmosphere

Players are encouraged to slow down and fully embrace the world around them. The richly detailed environment comes alive with a dynamic day-night cycle, shifting weather, and natural elements like wind that sways the trees. Ambient sounds—from the soft rustle of leaves to distant birdsong—enhance the immersion, while NPCs follow their own daily routines, adding to the sense of a living, breathing world. The result is an experience that wraps players in a comforting, tranquil atmosphere, inviting them to linger and explore at their own pace.

When Classic Meets Modern

‘Of Ash and Steel’ is a game for everyone from hardcore RPG fans to casual players. It is inspired by classic old-school RPGs and combines the convenience of modern gaming while paying homage to the legendary classic role-playing games. There are no quest markers or enemy auto-levelling, but there’s modern UI, environment markers, tutorials, and much more.

  • Genre: Open-world RPG
  • Platforms: PC
  • Engine: Unreal Engine 4
  • Release Date: 2025

Yale: A Smart Security System for a Smart Home

Over the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to try out several products from Yale, a leading provider of home security solutions. The products I used were:

  1. Yale Smart Video Doorbell: A smart doorbell with an integrated camera.
  2. Yale Smart Indoor Camera: A smart indoor security camera.
  3. Yale Smart Outdoor Camera: A smart outdoor security camera.

The key advantage of the Yale system is the seamless connectivity between all the products. You can view a live feed from all cameras in one app, and receive real-time notifications for any motion detected or when the doorbell rings.

But here’s the best part: You can unlock your front door with a single tap in the app, while simultaneously watching a live feed from the camera!

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Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni: The King of Robot Vacuums?

A Special Review After Two Months of Use: The robot vacuum market in Israel is fiercely competitive, with new and advanced models arriving constantly. But after two months of intensive use of the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni, I can confidently declare: this is the best robot vacuum I have encountered so far.

The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni is a premium robot vacuum and mop combo from Ecovacs, marketed in Israel by Ronlight. It comes with a comprehensive set of advanced features designed to provide a completely automated, hands-free cleaning experience.

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Pinball FX: Camp Bloodbrook – A Terrifyingly Fun Halloween Treat

Zen Studios has once again raised the bar for pinball enthusiasts with their latest addition to the Pinball FX series, Camp Bloodbrook. This horror-themed DLC is a must-play for fans of both pinball and ’80s slasher flicks, offering a thrilling and nostalgic experience.

As someone who grew up playing classic arcade pinball machines, I can confidently say that Pinball FX perfectly captures the feel of those beloved games. The physics are spot on, and the various tables, including Camp Bloodbrook, offer a challenging yet rewarding gameplay experience. For those unfamiliar with pinball, the game does an excellent job of introducing the basics, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

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