Image credit: 11 bit studios
Thaumaturge, in simple English means miracle worker. One who wields magic and use them in benefit for human society. We can find such figure in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, etc. Now, we able to enjoy role-playing as a miracle maker in the new release game by 11 bit studios,The Thaumaturge.
The Thaumaturge Trailer
Video credit: 11 bit studios
Gameplay
Image credit: 11 bit studios
You play as Wiktor Szulski, a Thaumaturge who investigates the mysterious cases that happen in Warsaw. Due to the lack of interaction with the environments and NPCs, it’s a bit lackluster to find myself wandering around but unable to interact the citizens and objects. Then, the only people I can interact with are the key characters who plays a great part in the story and sub-key characters who are involved in cases. Which literally means the only things I can interact with are those with indicators.
Investigation Puzzles
Image credit: 11 bit studios
The case emerges when Wiktor interacts with the surrounding objects. The object can be vary from paperwork to personal belongings. Sometimes, Wiktor will discover the Traces of Emotions that linger in the objects. Once Wiktor found the traces, he has to track down the owner of the traces. The emotions can be anything, such as sadness, fear, pride, etc. Usually a wild Salutan connects to the owner of the emotion because they bear a Flaw. Only a person with Flaw will attract a wild Salutan, that connection could potentially make the bearer as Thaumaturge.
Turn-Based Combat
Image credit: 11 bit studios
The turn-based combat can be considered as understandable and simple to master. The Queue indicates each turns of Wiktor and his enemies. Wiktor’s attack time consumption will arrange his turn accordingly in the Queue. There are a number of options are offered to players: Quick Attack, Planned Attack, Damage over Time Attack and Influences. As Wiktor progress further, he will obtains different attack moves and can be used on battle. Furthermore, Wiktor can uses upgrade points to unlock different set of skills for different purposes and scenarios. Besides of the mentioned, Focus plays a vital role in battle. Player should pays attention to the Focus points. Wiktor’s action queue will be affected once it’s being drained. In the end, I find the combat system pretty fine and master it pretty well. The rest is the strategy, I personally recommend the passive debuff. It works well and saved my life in tough battles.
Flaw and Salutan
Image credit: 11 bit studios
Salutan, a spirit that in search of Flaw and a partner for Thaumaturge. Flaw is a negative mark that possess on human, it can be emotion or behavior. Wiktor possess FlawLike Upyr, Wiktor’s first Salutan since he’s young. Due to Wiktor’s Flaw of Pride, Upyr’s able to connect with him. Salutan has many usefulness in social interaction and during combat as well. They are like Stands from Jojo Bizarre Adventure which I enjoy it very much personally. During combat, you can summon Salutan to use its magic tricks to make a passive damage move or distraction.
In Overall
Image credit: 11 bit studios
In my humble opinion, The Thaumaturge is a AAA Open World wanna-be game but with limitations. In other words, a gem that is shaped but lack of fine edges. The story and background settings are amazing. Yet, from the world structure to minor details. The limitation of the game has many, such as loading section in between of traveling, the map for exploration isn’t that big enough, the animation lack of details, etc. Despite of all the mentioned, the game still has something to offer. The story campaign, the thaumaturgy and detective investigation puzzles. The Thaumaturge still worth to play if you love any gameplay elements I just mentioned.
Review on PC. (Also available on PS5 & Xbox series S/X).
