11 bit studios is a great developer (the best example of this is the iconic This War of Mine), but it also publishes some really good games. I’m quite excited for The Thaumaturge, which was originally announced back in March. In August, we learned the target release date was by the end of 2023. Now it’s been confirmed that the game will be released for PC in early December. It is still set to come to consoles, but that won’t happen until early next year. As part of Steam Next Fest, running from today through October 16, there is a demo available for the game via Steam that acts as a prologue to the game.
In 1905, Wiktor returns to Warsaw after a lengthy time away. The city is familiar, but a lot has changed in his absence; it thrives with culture but is plagued by crime and the conflicting interests of a multicultural society. While living under imperial Russian tsardom, its inhabitants come from diverse groups of different ancestries, views, and beliefs: Russian soldiers, Jewish merchants, and Polish townspeople are just some of the people found in Warsaw. So the city is all shiny on the surface: somewhere one can attend a party with high society. But underneath, it’s quite tarnished: after leaving said party, it’s easy to get robbed in a dark alley.
Wiktor is a Thaumaturge, an individual versed in taming spirit beings called Salutors. Salutors are demons that feed on human flaws. Is the gift of controlling Salutors a gift… or is it a curse? Salutors can be used to manipulate the temperaments and affinities of other people, and can be used in combat. Only Thaumaturges are fully aware of what the Salutors can do, and only they can perceive the Salutors in their true essence. Thaumaturgy could change the world, but it’s also a power that needs to be used with caution.
In addition to the release date announcement for The Thaumaturge, a new gameplay trailer was released:
The Thaumaturge is described as a full-fledged RPG that allows players to alternate choices and deal with the aftermath. Players create their own version of The Thaumaturge that will allow them to approach situations in different ways. Defeat foes using either human attacks and skills or psychic strikes delivered by Salutors. Influence and manipulate other characters to bend their will.
The game’s setting of 1905 Warsaw, Poland is certainly uncommon. The developers heavily researched the historic period where crime and luxury are often two sides of the same coin. The game features historical figures, and players can learn about their involvement in the story.
Developed by Fool’s Theory and published by 11 bit studios, The Thaumaturge will be released for PC via Steam/Epic/GOG on December 5. It will be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series early next year
