The Thaumaturge
Vitriol
Release Date: March 4, 2024
RPG, turn-based, isometric view, Polish, indie games, early 20th century, urban fantasy, singleplayer
Gamepressure
OpenCritic
Steam
A Polish RPG set in the early 20-century Warsaw. The Thaumaturge has us playing as the titular character, able to perceive esoteric creatures known as Salutors and wield their powers.
Last Update: March 4, 2024
The Thaumaturge Guide
The Thaumaturge guide is the best tips for beginners, to combat, exploration. We describe all main and side quests, mechanics, all Salutors, skills, fast travel, trophies, difficulty levels, system requirements, game length, controls.
March 5, 2024
The Thaumaturge Review - Not Only a Fine RPG, It’s Also a Wonderful Time Machine
Step aside, The Witcher! There is a new RPG game in town to promote Poland. The Thaumaturge may be no match for CD Projekt’s work in terms of renown and scale but it’s way bolder when it comes to having that certain “Polish” feel. Gameplay is decent too.
Gamepressure Review
The Thaumaturge
Step aside, The Witcher! There is a new RPG game in town to promote Poland. The Thaumaturge may be no match for CD Projekt’s work in terms of renown and scale but it’s way bolder when it comes to having that certain “Polish” feel. Gameplay is decent too.
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average: 75 / 100, game is Recomended by 60% of Critics. There are 64 Critic Reviews.
Polygon: by Cass Marshall
That said, The Thaumaturge manages to do a deft job weaving between its supernatural story and the context of its historical setting. Wiktor is an outsider, and his detachment from society means that he can pick a side. I chose to have him back the unions and be a real comrade, but the game has tons of branches — including some where he falls to pride or commits sins that he cannot erase. These are the choices that make The Thaumaturge worth it, even when I’m annoyed by its technical shortcomings. Wiktor’s powers, detective skills, pride, and values are all things that can change the decisions at hand, and when I make a choice, it feels weighty. Since this is an RPG that lasts about 25 hours, I’m already getting amped up to see how a second run changes things. I have the feeling, though, that no matter how hard I try, something is going to go terribly wrong for someone.
Shacknews: 7 / 10 by Lucas White
The Thaumaturge’s biggest problems are a result of trying to do so many different things at once. It’s a juggling act on the best of days, and if you’re a working-class person in 1900s Poland you aren’t having a bunch of great days. Not consistently, anyway. This is a deeply interesting game with a lot of cool imagery, historical storytelling hooks and complex systems that are a blast to engage with. There are a ton of swings, and not every one is a hit. Sometimes the voice acting is wacky, the protagonist feels underdeveloped, and combat can be annoying and burdensome. But I also accidentally stayed up way past my adult, parent bedtime on multiple nights playing it. I feel and probably look like Wiktor after catching a new Salutor, but it was worth it.
ACG: by Jeremy Penter
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Story and Setting: Many players praised the well-crafted narrative set in early 20th-century Warsaw, highlighting its historical depth and moral ambiguity. The intertwining of real historical events with supernatural elements was particularly appreciated.
- Character Development: The characters, including the protagonist Wiktor and supporting figures like Rasputin, were noted for their complexity and depth. Players enjoyed the rich dialogue and the impact of choices on character relationships.
- Unique Gameplay Mechanics: The game incorporates an investigative element where players can gather clues related to characters and events. The combat system, while simple, was described as fun and strategic, with a card-based mechanic that adds depth.
- Atmospheric Presentation: The game's atmosphere, graphics, and sound design were generally well-received, creating an immersive experience that players found captivating.
- Moral Choices: The game allows for meaningful decisions that affect the storyline, offering multiple endings and encouraging players to reflect on their choices.
The main cons of the game
- Combat System Criticism: While some enjoyed the combat, others found it repetitive and lacking depth, leading to frustration during battles. Some players noted that the combat could feel like a chore and intruded on the investigative gameplay.
- Pacing and Time-Sensitive Quests: Several users expressed frustration with the pacing of the game, particularly regarding time-sensitive quests that could become unavailable without clear warnings. This led to anxiety about missing content.
- Technical Issues: There were numerous reports of crashes and bugs that hindered the gameplay experience. Some players experienced significant technical difficulties that affected their ability to progress.
- Dialogue and Translation Issues: A few reviews mentioned that the dialogue could be stilted or awkward and that the English voice acting was inferior to the Polish version, suggesting a lack of polish in localization.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Greater Variety in Gameplay: Some players felt that the game could benefit from more diverse quest-solving methods and less linear gameplay. They expressed a desire for more options in dialogue and quest resolutions.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: Suggestions were made for enhancing the combat system to make it more engaging and less repetitive. Some users wanted a more complex system akin to other tactical RPGs.
- Clearer Quest Management: Users indicated a need for better communication regarding quest deadlines and requirements, as well as clearer indicators for time-sensitive quests to avoid frustration.
- More Detailed Character Interactions: A few reviews pointed out that some character interactions felt limited, and they wished for deeper engagement with NPCs and more dynamic responses based on player choices.
Summary
- Overall, "The Thaumaturge" appears to be a well-received game with a strong narrative foundation, though it faces criticism for its combat mechanics, pacing issues, and technical stability. Players appreciate the moral complexity and character depth, but some feel that additional features could enhance the overall experience.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 124 votes. 123 players anticipated the game.
The Thaumaturge Description
The Thaumaturge (earlier known as Vitriol) is an RPG set in an alternate 20th century Warsaw. The game was developed by the Polish studio Fool's Theory, previously known for working alongside the Belgian Larian Studios on games such as Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as for creating Seven: The Days Long Gone.
Plot
The Thaumaturge is set in 1905's Warsaw. It's a multicultural metropolis, where while the upper classes hold lavish parties, the criminals deal in dark alleys. Reigned by the Russian Tsardom, the city is a melting pot, inhabited by Polish townspeople, Jewish merchants, Russian soldiers and many others.
It's also the territory of the titular thaumaturges - people with supernatural abilities, able to perceive and use Salutors, esoteric entities. The game's protagonist, Wiktor Szulski, is one such thaumaturge, here in Warsaw to handle family matters. Using his abilities, he discovers the secrets of the city and its people.
Though the story is mostly fictional, it features appearances of real historical figures.
Mechanics
The Thaumaturge is an isometric game. The player traverses the occupied streets of Warsaw, completing quests, talking to characters and making moral choices. We can wield the Salutors to our benefit while exploring, manipulating other characters and fighting enemies.
Combat is turn-based, letting us wield different weapons, firearms and supernatural abilities. The latter let us deal direct damage and inflict negative statuses on enemies. As we progress through the game, we develop the protagonist and face greater challenges. Wiktor must be cautious, as the stronger he gets, the more his thaumaturge powers drive him to madness...
Technical aspects
The Thaumaturge runs on the Unreal Engine 5. The game's atmospheric artstyle and soundtrack effectively recreate the feeling of living in an early 20th century city.
The Thaumaturge Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5 December 4, 2024
Xbox Series X/S December 4, 2024
Developer: Fool's Theory
Publisher: 11 bit studios
Age restrictions: 16+
The Thaumaturge System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / Radeon RX 580 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, 32 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 3060 Ti / 12 GB Radeon RX 6700 XT or better, 25 GB SSD, Windows 10 64-bit
11 bit Returns With Demos of 2 Interesting Games To be Released This Year
The demo versions of The Thaumaturge and The Invincible have become available again. This means the players can test two interesting game that 11 bit studios plans to release later this year.
video games
Krzysztof Kaluzinski
October 29, 2023
The Thaumaturge Demo Announced
The Thaumaturge will soon be available to the players. The demo of the Polish RPG is scheduled to appear on Steam Next Fest.
video games
Michal Ciezadlik
October 3, 2023
11 bit Reminds About Upcoming Games - Frostpunk 2, The Invincible and The Alters
11 bit studios has discussed its ambitious release plans for the next two years. The stock market's reaction to the developers' announcements was immediate.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
June 14, 2023
Check Out First Gameplay Trailer for The Thaumaturge From 11 bit
The first gameplay trailer from The Thaumaturge, an RPG from 11 bit studios that takes us to Warsaw during the Russian partition, has hit the web.
video games
Michal Ciezadlik
March 2, 2023
The Thaumaturge - RPG From The Witcher Remake Devs Announced
The Thaumaturge, previously known as Vitriol, an RPG set in Warsaw under the Russian partition, has been announced. Check out this game from Fool's Theory thanks to atmospheric trailer.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
March 1, 2023