The Thaumaturge

The Thaumaturge is a story-driven RPG with morally ambiguous choices, taking place in the culturally diverse world of early 20th-century Warsaw. In this world, salutors exist: esoteric beings that only thaumaturges can truly perceive and use for their needs.

Current Players: 86
Developers: Fool's Theory
Publishers: 11 bit studios
Release Date: Mar 4, 2024
Price (USD): $23.44
The Thaumaturge has captivated many with its unique blend of history, mystery, and dark fantasy set in early 20th-century Eastern Europe. Its engaging story, rich lore, and atmospheric design have been widely praised. However, the game faces criticism for technical issues, inconsistent voice acting, and some controversial thematic elements. Despite its flaws, many players find The Thaumaturge a refreshingly distinctive experience, appreciating its atmospheric world, complex characters, and impactful choices. The mixed feedback on combat depth and narrative delivery suggests the game may not cater to all tastes, but for those intrigued by its premise, it offers a compelling journey worth exploring.

Positive Points

  • Unique and engaging story, setting, and concept with a mix of history, mystery, and dark fantasy
  • Interesting and challenging turn-based combat system
  • Rich lore and world-building, infused with Slavic mythology and early 20th century Eastern European culture
  • Visually appealing with attention to environmental details
  • Replayability due to impactful choices and multiple endings
  • Well-designed creatures (Salutors) and a fresh take on the detective genre
  • Atmospheric music that enhances the game experience
  • Generally smooth gameplay on various systems, including the Steam Deck
  • Good balance of main story and side quests
  • Affordable pricing for the content offered
  • Negative Points

  • Technical issues like crashes, graphical glitches, and performance drops, especially on lower-end hardware
  • Some players found the combat repetitive and lacking in depth
  • Voice acting quality varies, with some characters sounding unnatural
  • Exploration and detective elements can feel tedious due to excessive right-clicking for clues
  • Animations and facial expressions are criticized for being stiff and sometimes uncanny
  • Certain narrative elements and themes perceived as 'woke' by some players
  • Some dissatisfaction with the game's handling of historical accuracy and representation
  • Inconsistent pacing, with some areas of the game dragging
  • Clunky controls and navigation issues in certain environments
  • Mixed Points

  • Divisive opinions on the game's difficulty, with some finding it too easy and others appreciating the challenge
  • Mixed feelings about the dialogue and storytelling, with some praising the depth and others considering it lackluster
  • Opinions split on the game's focus on reading and dialogue-heavy gameplay
  • Divergent views on the game's atmospheric qualities, with some players fully immersed and others not as much
  • Common Themes

  • Strong emphasis on a unique atmosphere and setting that stands out to players
  • Recognition of the game's attempt to blend historical elements with dark fantasy and folklore
  • Appreciation for the game's narrative depth and the impact of player choices
  • Concerns regarding technical stability and performance across different hardware setups
  • Controversy surrounding certain thematic elements and representation within the game
  • Updated 7/8/2024, 5:55:00 PM UTC