Game Rant - The Thaumaturge - Game Rant Advance

Why Baldur's Gate 3 Fans Should Keep an Eye on The Thaumaturge

Drew Swanson — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 19:00:08 GMT

With Baldur's Gate 3 taking the video game industry by storm this year and going on to win the coveted Game of the Year award at the Game Awards 2023, the floodgates have been opened for more RPGs of its kind to see success. Following on the heels of this renewed interest in the CRPG genre is Fool's Theory's upcoming title, The Thaumaturge, which is set to release in February 2024. For longtime fans of the genre or those who've recently discovered their love for Baldur's Gate 3, The Thaumaturge has all the makings of a similarly rich RPG experience that is worth keeping an eye on.

Why The Thaumaturge's Historical Setting is its Greatest Strength

Drew Swanson — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:00:22 GMT

In the wake of a year that saw a resurgence in the CRPG genre, developer Fool's Theory has a new upcoming game for fans to check out in The Thaumaturge, slated for a February 2024 release date. Unlike some of the fantasy-inspired settings of popular CRPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, The Thaumaturge mixes its more fantastical elements with a grounded historical setting in 1905 Warsaw, Poland. Although there are gameplay similarities between The Thaumaturge and these titles, its historical setting could help the game stand out and prove to be its greatest strength.

Fool's Theory Reveals One Common Thread Between its Witcher Remake and The Thaumaturge

Joshua Duckworth — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:00:22 GMT

Developer's Fool Theory, which has spent a lot of time supporting other studios' endeavors, is currently responsible for its brand-new IP The Thaumaturge and the development of CD Projekt Red's Witcher 1 remake, with oversight from the beloved studio. Fool's Theory may not be a household name like CD Projekt Red, but it has worked on a handful of games fans will be familiar with.

The Thaumaturge's Manipulation Powers Add Tons of Replayability

Matt Karoglou — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:00:22 GMT

Though originally planned for a December 5 release date, The Thaumaturge has now slipped into February, but it is already shaping up to be one of the year's early highlights. The Thaumaturge developer Fool's Theory is a veteran studio with plenty of experience working on other CRPGs, including assisting with the development of both Baldur's Gate 3 and the DLC expansions for Divinity: Original Sin 2. Alongside the work that Fool's Theory is doing on The Thaumaturge, the studio is also developing a remake of The Witcher with CD Projekt Red overseeing the project. It's safe to say that Fool's Theory has a strong understanding of what makes a compelling CRPG, and insight into The Thaumaturge's gameplay only strengthens that sentiment.

The Thaumaturge Dev Details Wiktor, Rasputin, Warsaw, and More

Joshua Duckworth — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:01:20 GMT

The Thaumaturge puts a lot of focus on the supernatural, but via a method where what is real remains as such. There is no way to prove or disprove Thaumaturgy, allowing developer Fool's Theory to have a lot of fun within its story-driven RPG. This mysticism sits on par with a certain degree of realism, as the developer played along with history instead of changing it and wanted to recreate Poland as accurately as it could.

The Thaumaturge's Concept Art Shows How Its Overarching Design Has Evolved

Matt Karoglou — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:00:23 GMT

After a recent delay which pushed it back to February, The Thaumaturge is now set to be one of the early highlights of the year thanks to its unique and captivating take on an alternate history version of early-1900s Poland. Fool's Theory's experience in the CRPG genre is well-documented (including working on the upcoming Witcher remake), but The Thaumaturge represents the studio's ability to create its vision from the ground up. The result is a game that has more than its fair share of creative identity in its world, mechanics, characters, and combat.

How the Inclusion of Rasputin Shaped CRPG The Thaumaturge

Katelyn Kivel — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:00:22 GMT

One of the most interesting and mythologized figures around the turn of the 20th century is Russian mystic Rasputin. He’s found his way into games like Shin Megami Tensei and Fate/Grand Order before, but his story and history will play a major role in the upcoming CRPG, The Thaumaturge, developed by Fool’s Theory.

The Thaumaturge Dev Talks Challenges of Making a New IP

Hank Whitson — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:00:18 GMT

Developer Fool's Theory's forthcoming RPG, The Thaumaturge, is an all-new IP about magic, mystery, and a character who must face his own demons in 1905 Warsaw, Poland. Wiktor, the titular Thaumaturge, is a witty character with the supernatural ability to form pacts with Salutors, demon-like entities that provide otherworldly powers. Players who are looking for a historically informed narrative with the fun trappings of RPG decision-making and combat will want to keep an eye out for The Thaumaturge when it debuts in February.

The Thaumaturge Dev Talks Salutors, Thaumaturgy, and More

Gemma Johnson — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:00:25 GMT

The Thaumaturge is a story-driven RPG that focuses on the story of its protagonist Wiktor, a character with the gift of Thaumaturgy and the magic to summon ethereal beings called Salutors with different powers and abilities. As a big part of The Thaumaturge's lore with its various folklore influences, Salutors see, so far range from a skeleton-like, tormented ghost named Upyr to Bukavac a brutal shadow-lingering terror, with even more to come.

How The Thaumaturge's Investigations Add to Gameplay and Worldbuilding

Katelyn Kivel — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:00:20 GMT

Upcoming roleplaying game The Thaumaturge has genre staples like turn-based combat and meaningful dialogue choices, but it also folds in an investigation mechanic that adds more depth to titular magician Wiktor Szulski. The Thaumaturge is often about the demons that haunt man, both in terms of literal supernatural beings called Salutors, and the emotions and decisions that haunt men. Through various investigations, players will be tasked with discovering these demons and, in one way or another, exorcising them.