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.

“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.

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.

Continue reading “Pinball FX: Camp Bloodbrook – A Terrifyingly Fun Halloween Treat”

OGame’s 22nd Anniversary Brings a Blast of New Features

Gameforge Celebrates Two Decades of Galactic Warfare with Major Update

Gameforge, a leading publisher of multiplayer games, is excited to announce that OGame’s 22nd anniversary update is now live! The “Profile & Achievements” update introduces a wealth of personalization content to the free-to-play space war MMO, available in browsers on Windows PC and as an app on iOS and Android devices.

Continue reading “OGame’s 22nd Anniversary Brings a Blast of New Features”

Hades 2 Early Access Review: A Masterpiece in the Making

Supergiant Games had already set the bar high with Hades, but Hades 2 goes above and beyond, offering an experience so refined that it doesn’t feel like it’s in Early Access at all. It’s truly remarkable to see a game at this stage that has the depth, scope, and polish of a full release. Hades 2 is not just a worthy successor to the first game; it’s a game that shines even in Early Access. I never expected that I’d want to nominate an early access game for Game of the Year. This alone is a crazy achievement!

Continue reading “Hades 2 Early Access Review: A Masterpiece in the Making”

The Plucky Squire Review: A Charming Adventure in a Storybook World

The Plucky Squire is an innovative Action-Adventure game developed by All Possible Futures. Released on September 17, 2024, this charming title takes players on a linear, puzzle-filled adventure that draws clear inspiration from classic Zelda titles, especially Link’s Awakening. It blends various gameplay elements from different genres and offers a mix of 2D and 3D segments, all within an imaginative and colorful storybook world. 

Continue reading “The Plucky Squire Review: A Charming Adventure in a Storybook World”

Pioneers of Pagonia: A Deep Dive into World-Building

A personal encounter with the developers at Gamescom 2024 only solidified my belief in the brilliance of this game.

Pioneers of Pagonia is more than just a building game; it’s an immersive journey into a rich fantasy world brimming with possibilities and surprises. The game offers a unique experience that blends deep strategy with open-ended creativity, allowing players to craft their own worlds in limitless ways.

Continue reading “Pioneers of Pagonia: A Deep Dive into World-Building”

THQ Nordic Unveils Epic Mickey Rebrushed: A Nostalgic Remake with Modern Enhancements

At Gamescom 2024, THQ Nordic invited me for an exclusive sneak peek into Epic Mickey Rebrushed, a highly anticipated remake of the beloved Epic Mickey. This isn’t just a simple remaster; it’s a full-fledged remake that breathes new life into the original game, combining nostalgic elements with contemporary upgrades.

Continue reading “THQ Nordic Unveils Epic Mickey Rebrushed: A Nostalgic Remake with Modern Enhancements”

Genshin Impact the Natlan update at Gamescom 2024

I had the privilege of playing Genshin Impact’s Natlan update at Gamescom 2024, and I was blown away by the new movement mechanics and stunning visuals. The ability to transform into Saurians and explore the region’s diverse landscapes was incredibly exciting. Natlan is a truly immersive and unforgettable experience that will keep players engaged for hours on end.

Continue reading “Genshin Impact the Natlan update at Gamescom 2024”