The Soulslike genre will be receiving another title soon, as Team17 and OverBorder Studio are set to release the intriguing action RPGThymesia. For fans of previous FromSoftware games – particularly the horror-heavyBloodborneand its Lovecraftian inspirations –Thymesialooks like an interesting new take on the fast-paced, punishing formula. With its cursed inhabitants of a crumbling land, its dark and moody aesthetics, and its challenging combat,Thymesiaseems like it’s proudly showing itsSoulsborneroots.
But other aspects ofthe upcomingThymesiamake it more than just aBloodbornecopy. Its unique setting of Hermes gives players a brand new gothic world to explore, with plenty of secrets to uncover along the way. The protagonist’s plague-based powers help to provide them with an edge against the game’s many monstrous enemies, and the crumbs of lore and clues about an antidote drive both the player and Corvus on their quest. In addition to these elements, it seems likeThymesiahas a few tricks up its sleeve to make sure it has more than enough replay value.
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Adapting Thymesia’s Playstyle
After some hefty delays,Thymesia’s launch date is finally here. Players who love similar games within FromSoftware’s stable, or who appreciate a challenging RPG with dark medieval undertones, might have had their eye on it for a while.Thymesiamay not have the same level of freedomwhen it comes to the main character that games likeElden Ringhave, but gamers will be able to fine-tune the mysterious protagonist known by the codename “Corvus” to an extent to customize their play style and approaches to combat.
In addition to Corvus' main armaments, players will be able to siphon off parts of the plague-like disease from the multitude of enemies in order to create special weapons. This intriguing element helps toadd some variety toThymesia’s array of weaponsand is a unique aspect that ties in nicely to the game’s disease-focused narrative and Corvus' special abilities. Different enemies will yield different weapons, so the more that players explore, the more they’ll have in their arsenal.
Like a typical RPG, gamers can level up their character as they progress and improve traits like health, claw attacks, and sword attacks. They will also be able to choose different abilities from a skill tree as they further craft Corvus into the type of fighter that works best for them. By choosing to specialize in a certain weapon type such as a scythe or a whip, gamers could leave the door open for a completely different re-spec and weapon focus inanotherThymesiaplaythroughto see how they match up.
A Story Full Of Secrets
Hermes, a previously thriving kingdom now plunged into a calamity of untold proportions, is in need of a savior. With the population’s wide use of alchemy leading to a devastating plague, the amnesiac Corvus seems like their last hope. Each level serves as a memory that players need to explore as they try to piece together Corvus' past and unlock the key to curing the plague, and this adds an interesting dimension to the gameplay. Like similar FromSoftware games, much ofThymesia’s storyis told through letters, documents, and other items that gamers can find scattered around the world.
Thymesiaisn’t an overly long title, especially compared to recent entries in the Soulsborne oeuvre like the gargantuanElden Ring, and can easily be completed in less than twenty hours. This is good news for players wanting to revisitThymesiaafter completing it and makes the replay process much more palatable. Not only will they be able to try out new builds, but they can also explore the different endings of Corvus' adventures. There are four different endings that can be achieved, and these come from combining the various Cores dropped by defeated bosses. Some cure the plague, some create new types of monsters, and some present the population of Hermes with even more problems, so it’s up to players to decide what the greater evil is.
Thymesialaunches on August 18 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X.
