Publisher 11 bit studios and developer Fool’s Theory have released a seven-minute gameplay trailer for the narrative RPG The Thaumaturge, showing the mission “To Dust, You Shall Return.” Delve into the seedy streets of Warsaw in 1905 in their upcoming isometric RPG, The Thaumaturge. A melting pot where luxurious hotels and notorious bars in the city’s affluent districts pulsate with strong drinks and loud music exist alongside haphazard shacks in the windy Powiśle district. Taking center stage as our caster, Wiktor Szulski is the kind of guy who won’t hesitate to delve into the darkest corners of the city to investigate and confront the Russian Okhrana that controls its streets.
In the mission trailer linked below, using his thaumaturgic powers and the strength of his otherworldly salutors to reach out a hand, Wiktor will help a lady in distress who crucially needs help. This particular mission, titled “To Dust, You Shall Return,” takes place in various locations in Warsaw, which was under the yoke of Russian rule at the time. Poles, Russians, and Jews coexisted within the city limits as it flourished culturally and architecturally before World War II, making it the perfect setting for an RPG.
The first stop? The elegant Imperial Hotel, where Wiktor meets Swietłana, a member of the tsar’s court desperate to escape the city. From there, he heads to the London Bar and a shady neighborhood, where even shadier characters wait. Wiktor’s confrontation with the Okhrana, the tsar’s secret police, showcases our turn-based combat system. With Wiktor’s Thaumaturgy, players can anticipate their enemies’ movements and call upon the unique abilities of ethereal beings known as salutors. Inspired by folk tales, salutors also allow players to influence people to their will, a persuasive advantage in difficult situations. But remember, every power has its price.
As players progress through the mission, they will delve deeper into Wiktor’s abilities, leveling him up to become more adept at influencing people, fighting, and exploring his surroundings while unraveling the complexities of choice-infused dialogue. “Genres, while practical frameworks, can feel restrictive, and as experienced gamers, we asked ourselves here at 11 bit studios: how can we do things differently?” said product management lead Rufus Kubica in a statement. of press. “By overlooking traditional elements that could weigh on the experience, such as an overloaded inventory or an excess of inconsequential loot, we have created a personal and meaningful narrative adventure with various features such as Wiktor’s thaumaturgic perception, character manipulations, and our focus on a combat system, to name a few.”
Kubica continued: “The Thaumaturge is the story of Wiktor’s struggles and heritage. That was the focus and that’s why we and the developers at Fool’s Theory decided to slightly reshape the usual RPG mission design. In many RPGs, you can notice the qualitative difference between the main story and the side quests or fetch quests. Our goal was to ensure that the side content integrates seamlessly with the main narrative, offering players an immersive experience within the myriad smaller stories, allowing them to get lost in the rich tapestry of Warsaw in 1905.”
The Thaumaturge will be released for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG on February 20, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series at a later date.
Fountain: Gematsu
