The RPG genre has had a renaissance in recent years. From massive hits like Baldur’s Gate 3 to experimental titles like Disco Elysium, RPGs have surpassed the standard template to include new and unique experiences. The Thaumaturge, from Fool’s Theory and 11-bit studios, is a new RPG on PS5 that brings its unique setting, story, and gameplay. Should RPG fans drowning in options for 2024 and into 2025 take the time to move The Thaumaturge to the top of their backlog, or does this game fall to its myriad of demons? Let’s find out! One of the Most Unique RPGs I’ve Played When I first saw The Thaumaturge, I was intrigued. Its 20th-century Warsaw setting, detailed graphics, and phenomenal folklore-inspired demons checked a ton of boxes for me as a gamer. I followed the reception for the PC release, and when the opportunity to review it came up for the PS5, I jumped at the chance to check it out. And let me tell you, fellow gamers, I am so glad I did. For those who want to know if The Thaumaturge is worth your time and money, let me save you a few hundred words by saying yes, especially if you’ve enjoyed recent RPGs prioritizing story, dialogue, and choice. Let’s start with the story for those who want a more in-depth analysis. You play as Wiktor Szulski (pronounced like “Victor”), a Thaumaturge. These masters of mystical arts have supernatural perception that allows them to peer into people’s hearts and detect emotions that have attached themselves to everyday objects. This allows Wiktor to examine almost anything in the environment and pick up on the emotions, desires, and secrets of those who have interacted with it. Not only can a Thaumaturge do this, but they can also recruit and summon demons known as Salutors that prey on flaws found in human beings. These flaws include pride, greed, recklessness, and the like. All of this lends Wiktor the kind of reputation that precedes him, and you’ll encounter a number of characters who are amazed, suspicious, or downright hateful toward him in equal measure. It’s a world that feels real from the moment you set foot in it. This is due to the quality of the writing, the Polish voice actors that lend authenticity to the setting, and the beautiful and detailed environments. At first, I was also surprised at how personal the storyline can be. You start off by investigating a murder, but soon, you find yourself heading home to attend your father’s funeral. Of course, there are side quests that you can find through exploration, and I highly recommend you do them as they add richness to the world and characters. But by and large, The Thaumaturge is a story that weaves the supernatural into everyday life in a way I wasn’t expecting, but one that feels compelling nonetheless. The characters are deep and nuanced, especially the ones you investigate and get to know by exploring their homes and possessions to … Read More
PS5 Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Got 100 hours to spare? Even if it takes all year, these games will give you the most bang for your buck, and take you on a journey like none other. RPG Games For The PS5 Anima: Song From The Abyss Atelier Ryza 2 Atomic Heart Cris Tales Cyberpunk 2077 Diablo II Resurrected Demon’s Souls Final Fantasy XVI Godfall Gothic Hogwarts Legacy Lords of The Fallen 2 Maneater Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood Our Top Picks For Role-Playing Games (RPGs) on The PS5 1. Final Fantasy It took a long time, and it was delayed on numerous occasions, but Final Fantasy XV finally released on the PS4, and it was well-received! This fantasy game mixed with a modern reality was a unique approach for the series, but it paid off well. While we probably won’t see a Final Fantasy XV-2 or anything, this series still has legs. Who knows what Final Fantasy XVI will be like, but I guarantee you it will appear on the PS5. 2. Elder Scrolls Years after its release, people are still talking about Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Say what you will about Bethesda and their bugs, these games still manage to sell like hotcakes every time. In fact, Skyrim itself was remastered in 2016, bringing it to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Bethesda tends to alternate between Fallout and Elder Scrolls, so the next one up is Elder Scrolls VI. While there’s a chance we’ll see it on the PS4, it’s more likely they’ll take a few years to get it ready and release on the PS5. 3. Fallout When they’re not doing Elder Scrolls, Bethesda is working on Fallout. Fallout 4 wasn’t the best entry in the series, but it was a solid RPG/shooter with some cool DLC. Since we’ll most likely see the next Elder Scrolls before we see a Fallout 5, this one is a surefire title on the PS5. With talks of making Fallout 4 in VR, we could also potentially see the successor appear in virtual reality on the PS5. 4. JRPGs Return We’ve seen a decent rise in JRPGs on the PS4. Games like Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XV have brought these titles into the mainstream, while games like Tales of Berseria, and smaller titles like Nights of Azure are still carving a niche for themselves. I think the PS5 will open the floodgates, and we’ll see a new RPG renaissance not seen since the days of the PS2. Not because of the horsepower or the hardware, but because gamers and developers will reach a point where it makes sense to bring these types of games to a wider audience. It’s already happening, slowly but surely. 5. Diablo IV Anyone who knows Blizzard knows that they take their sweet time with new releases, but it’s usually worth the wait. When Diablo III released on PS4, it was excellent. The local co-op play was great, and the controls transitioned perfectly to the DualShock 4. I … Read More