Thymesia Review - Does From Software Have a New Competitor?
Soulslike has become one of the most sought-after genres in the entire gaming industry. Since the popularity of Dark Souls and other titles from From Software, it is common to see companies releasing inspired titles. One of the most famous ones is Thymesia. The third-person dark fantasy game takes you on a breathtaking journey in a world covered in disease and powerful enemies that will do everything to kill you. But is it a good game?
Here, we will answer this and many more questions about this intriguing title. Make sure to take a look at all categories so you make the right decision when considering whether to buy it or not, from the combat to the weapons available in the game. We will talk about all the main aspects relevant to its gameplay.
Thymesia Review - Does From Software Have a New Competitor?
Soulslike or Action?
Before we see the main aspects of this title, it is crucial to answer one of the main doubts regarding this title. Is it a soulslike or just an action RPG?
Even though its fast-paced combat and mechanics remind me a lot of action games, like Devil May Cry, it is definitely more of a soulslike title than a traditional action game. This happens not only because of the difficulty of the gameplay and the numerous monsters you’ll face but also thanks to other mechanics typically present in this genre, which we will talk about later.
To summarize everything, Thymesia is a soulslike title, just like Sekiro, Lies of P, and other similar titles. Prepare for challenging fights and numerous deaths while trying to beat the game, as in other games of the genre.
Review
Now it’s time to check out the main details and aspects you need to know before deciding to purchase Thymesia or not. Make sure to take a look at each of the items below to ensure the right decision for your next gaming session.
We will cover different aspects, both technical and directly related to gameplay, so you know exactly what to expect when purchasing it.
Here is our review of Thymesia:
Amazing Art Style With a Creep Factor
If you like dark fantasy and macabre art style, Thymesia is a must-have in your library. It perfectly captures the atmosphere of a medieval setting devastated by the plague.
From the creatures to the clothes and weapons, everything looks like taken straight from a horror movie. Not only that, but the environments you’ll pass through and the dialogues with NPCs also remind you of similar games, like Dark Souls and Diablo 3.
The game makes you feel like you are exploring a haunted universe, even though it’s not a horror game. It mixes modern elements from scary movies along with medieval aesthetics to create a very particular style that will please all players who like this kind of setting.
The particle effects from your attacks are truly a work of art. Special movements, like claw attacks and plague weapon skills, look insanely good and make the gameplay a lot more fun.
If cool art matters to you, this game will give you some of the best screenshots to your library. It looks excellent, and the light contrasts you find throughout the game make you want to stop and enjoy the views.
Great Storytelling Setup But Weak Plot
Thymesia’s story has such huge potential when it comes to the story, but the creators have not explored it throughout the project. The world around you is full of things to tell, and each new area you enter awakens your curiosity about what happened there and why everything is the way it is.
But at the same time, we have Corvu’s main objectives and journey, which are not intriguing or fun to listen to. I couldn’t care less for them while progressing through the game and trying to unveil the mysteries of his past and will.
But if you aren’t a fan of Dark Souls’s confusing lore and mysterious story told through items and other hidden details, you’ll probably like this one better. It is way more explicit, even though it has a layer of mystery, especially around the protagonist.
Overall, it is a fun story that builds good pacing to how it’s told. Still, the lack of originality and plot twists often make you not care about the protagonist or just ignore the numerous boring dialogues you’ll find along this destroyed world.
It tells the story of Bloodborne. I mean… The story of a magical blood that is capable of turning people into monsters, unleashing an epidemic of creatures being released in the world.
Now, you must travel through Corvu’s memories and try to put an end to this nightmare. Sounds like another very famous game, right?
Copy and Paste Map
Level design is one of the biggest flaws of Thymesia. Even though it has incredible graphics and breathtaking environments to explore, they all feel like copies of other genre games.
Swamps, the Royal Garden, all areas, and even the later levels are redesigned versions from games like Dark Souls and even other soulslike titles. If you play games of this kind often, you’ll surely notice that when progressing.
Corvu’s memories occur in three distinct places: Sea of Trees, Hermes’ Fortress, and Plague Swamp. All these are composed of smaller regions that compose Thymesia’s map. It is sad to see such potential, especially when considering the game’s aesthetics, which are wasted in unoriginal designs and copied areas.
The good news is that if you like these areas from other Souls games, you can revisit them here with a different layout. Creating more original areas and maps would make Thymesia such a better game. However, it is still a very fun experience, especially considering how effective these areas were in their original games.
Enemies Are Either Incredible or Mundane
Here’s the paradox: Thymesia features a fair share of encounters with mundane enemies. However, you'll also stumble upon some of the most intriguing characters and adversaries ever seen in a soulslike game.
This happens especially when it comes to the bosses. They’re really creative and considerably elevate the gameplay level. This doesn’t change the fact that most enemies are blunt, and the battles against them are not the best, but The Hanged Queen and other bosses will really make you want to play until you defeat them, which is not an easy task.
The enemies follow the same dark fantasy aesthetics and look amazing. The attention to detail is a highlight in this aspect and will awaken your deepest fears. Each boss is unique, having some of the most creative appearances compared to other soulslikes. These elements help elevate the game’s score but don’t nullify the fact that finding a boring enemy is more common than it should be.
Thymesia’s Combat Is Where It Shines
If I point out the best part of Thymesia, it is definitely the combat system. Along with the classic mechanics from soulslikes, like dodging and deflecting attacks, you’ll also find the unique elements of this game, more specifically, the plague weapons. These weapons can perform special attacks that are fun to use and incredible to watch.
You could say that the combat here is fast-paced, even for a soulslike game, but thanks to its smooth gameplay, this is far from being a problem. It is enjoyable from the first moment to the last minute of gameplay. There are numerous ways to fight against the creatures, and each ability you unlock increases the possibilities even more.
You can do that through the talent tree of the game. It helps you find ways to increase your overall health, your plague power, indicated by the green bar in the HUD, and many other types of abilities. By spending your talent points, you unlock these abilities to help in boss fights or when facing stronger enemies.
Notice that the game has multiple talent trees for different kinds of abilities. You must spend your points wisely and choose the best strategy based on your playstyle.
The Overall Gameplay Reminds a Lot of Bloodborne
Comparing Thymesia to Bloodborne is inevitable, especially when the game tries so hard to copy From Software’s masterpiece. It’s not only the dark fantasy setting that makes both games look so similar to each other; the gameplay is also one of the biggest factors.
You’ll find tons of mechanics in common, such as the blood mechanics from Bloodborne, but here, it is substituted by the plague. It is one of the game’s main resources, directly affecting how you attack your enemies. The more plague you have, the more special attacks and skills you can use.
You don’t have a stamina bar here so you can unleash all your power without any limit. Whether you choose a sword or any other type of weapon, the only things stopping your attacks are the length of your combos and the enemy’s life. This is part of why Thymesia’s combat is so fast-paced compared to others. Along with that, you’ll also find tons of movements and abilities you can unlock. They will depend on your build and how you spend your skill tree points.
The overall gameplay is fun and has responsive commands, making it a great experience, even though it sometimes lacks original elements. If you’re a fan of the soulslike genre, you’ll love this game. If you have never played one, it is a great start, especially since it’s considerably easier than titles such as Elden Ring or Bloodborne itself.
Verdict: Is Thymesia Worth Playing?
Thymesia is a very famous title among soulslike fans, for good and bad reasons. It has one of the most fun combat systems of the genre. At the same time, it also loses its essence, trying to imitate its big brothers, like Bloodborne, for example.
You can clearly notice times when these elements are not an inspiration but a copy, without any soul or originality. This can be seen especially in the map, which feels like a Frankenstein of other games, all stitched together to make a big, explorable area.
However, the game also has numerous highlights that should not be ignored, such as the great pacing of the story. You feel that the rhythm in which the events are told perfectly fits the setting and creates a sense of immersion that makes the game a hundred times more enjoyable.
Another highlight is the boss fights. They are incredibly fun, and each enemy featured in them is unique regarding both the abilities and the design. It is a delight to observe their every detail and how challenging it can be to adapt to their style.
Overall, whether it’s a good pick for you depends on what you’re looking for. It copies some of the most famous soulslike titles available, and if you’re looking for an experience similar to Dark Souls or Bloodborne, we highly recommend the title. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an original plot with a unique map and creative-level design, there are better options for you.
Where to Get Thymesia for the Best Price
Got interested in the Thymesia and now want to purchase it? Make sure to choose the best marketplace for this. You can choose from many options, like the official store of the platform you play on or the hundreds of marketplaces online.
Among all these options, RoyalCDKeys is the best one for your wallet and gameplay. Whether you want to play a soulslike game or any other genre, we’ve got you covered. Our website features over a thousand different titles that you can choose from for the main platforms available today.
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Final Thoughts on Our Thymesia Review
No doubt, Thymesia is a very controversial title to be discussed. Some players love it, and some hate it, whether because it lacks originality or for any other reason.
This is completely justified, especially considering the campaign's many ups and downs. Sometimes, it is a masterpiece of character design and dark atmosphere, but on the other hand, it is also a Frankenstein of things we’ve already seen before, so to recommend it or not is a true challenge that will depend on what you seek.
Overall, it is a very fun game that can give you hours of fun. Even though most of what you see is not original, the games that inspire it are some of the best we have in the industry, so you’ll still find some exciting ideas and game mechanics during your journey.
We highly recommend this title, especially if you like Bloodborne and are now looking for a similar experience since you’ll feel familiar with most of the elements. It is a short title but worth playing if you don’t mind the flaws we listed.
Now that you know everything you need, it is time to start wandering around this dark world that awaits you. Grab your plague weapons and kill everything trying to stop you.