Summary
Comparing a game toBaldur’s Gate 3in the headline feels a little cheap. I understand that. But I’ve been searching for an honest CRPG to match the creativity, worldbuilding, and strategic decision-making since I played throughLarian’sfantasy epic three times last year.
I’ve found myself enamoured by indie RPGs, pulled into their smaller worlds with wonderful writing and pristine aesthetics. Despite theprice increases, it’s been a great couple of months for Game Pass, and I’ve dived intoFlintlock: Siege of Dawn, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess,Yakuza: Like A Dragon, andDragon Age: Inquisitionover the past month. Of course, not all of these are RPGs, let alone CRPGs, nor do they deserve comparison to the majesty of Baldur’s Gate 3. While I’m not looking for another once-in-a-generation game, I just want something that nails thefeelof Larian’s instant classic.
The Thaumaturgehas been scratching that itch. It’s not as sprawling as Baldur’s Gate 3, I’m not going to play it three times in a row, your party members aren’t as fleshed-out, and I haven’t encountered a single romance scene yet, but it’s brimming with originality, and that’s what’s important to me right now.
Environment
The Thaumaturge excels in numerous areas, the first of which is its setting. So few games are set in Eastern Europe, and far fewer happen around the turn of the 20th century, preferring instead to focus on Soviet-era dystopias or Cold War shooters. Exploring Warsaw in 1905 never fails to be interesting, and The Thaumaturge’s central detective mechanic adds enormous depth to the world.
As a titular thaumaturge, you have psychic abilities that turn the muddy Warsaw streets into deep wells of information. You can use your abilities to work out why neighbours are arguing, or to help stuck cart drivers to unlock new fast travel capabilities. Thanks to your unnaturally in-depth perception, you can also become a supernatural detective, picking up on otherwise unnoticeable clues and storing them in your brain for later use.
This gives Warsaw a similar feel to the Sword Coast. Walking around, you get a sense that this world is deeper than what you can immediately see; people’s lives go on when your isometric camera turns the other way.
Combat
When you inevitably come face to face with a demonic presence or Russian soldier, a fight ensues. It’s a turn-based affair, during which you’re often joined by allies and always by the grisly demons – known as Salutors – you have captured on your journey.
This is an area of the game where The Thaumaturge is leagues above Baldur’s Gate 3. The fast and slow attacks are reminiscent of games like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and the ‘focus’ bar adds another level of depth. Take out all of your opponent’s stamina to unleash a devastating attack which will almost always knock them out – in the early stages of the game, at least.
Combat is simple, but layers of depth are added over the opening hours of the game. Your Salutors can negate opponents’ abilities. Your attacks can always be tweaked with slightly different abilities. You need to be aware of opponents’ weapons and disable them. There’s enough to keep you interested without ever coming close to being overwhelming.
Creativity
The best part of The Thaumaturge is the combination of all these aspects. A rarely explored setting. A unique paranormal detective mechanic. Depth in both worldbuilding and roleplaying opportunities. Customisation of your Thaumaturge on a minute level. The Thaumaturge has an attention to detail that I’ve been aching for since I finished up my last Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. Its creativity excites me, and it’s something unique and original in a sea of sequels, remakes, and IP slop. Why play another barren live-service game when you could solve crimes with Rasputin?
