Souls-like set during a plague 🦠🗡️

I've been hunting for fun Souls-like games a lot lately. I am lucky that I have nearly a dozen really good games of that genre in my PlayStation library. One of those such games is Thymesia, which is currently free on PS5 as part of the PS Plus game catalog. It's also on Steam for only $25 and Xbox Series X|S for $30. It is well worth any of those prices in my opinion.

Thymesia is an action RPG that plunges players into a dark and atmospheric world, blending intricate combat mechanics with a haunting narrative. Developed by OverBorder Studio, the game beckons players into a realm ravaged by a mysterious plague, challenging them to navigate perilous environments and engage in intense battles against grotesque adversaries. As players uncover the secrets of the afflicted land, they must harness the power of alchemy and strategic combat to survive the ruthless encounters that await them.

The game's emphasis on skill-based combat and alchemical abilities promises a gripping and dynamic gameplay experience, as players must master timing, positioning, and a variety of unique abilities to overcome their foes. Thymesia offers a visually striking and immersive world, teeming with intricate lore, formidable enemies, and a sense of foreboding mystery. Through its blend of challenging combat, captivating world-building, and a hauntingly beautiful art style, the game aims to captivate players seeking a dark and enthralling action RPG experience.

With its evocative storytelling, strategic combat, and a macabre yet captivating world, Thymesia has garnered attention from players eager to immerse themselves in a dark and compelling adventure. The game promises to deliver an experience that challenges both the player's skills and their wits, inviting them to unravel the enigma of the plague-ridden land while engaging in visceral, adrenaline-pumping combat.

In Thymesia, combat is a central pillar of the gameplay experience, offering a blend of fast-paced action, strategic decision-making, and skillful execution. Players engage in real-time battles against a variety of formidable adversaries, each requiring a unique approach and a mastery of combat mechanics. The game's combat system revolves around a combination of melee attacks, evasive maneuvers, and the utilization of alchemical abilities, which players can harness to gain an edge in battle. There is dodge and deflecting, but what makes this game stand out is the wounds. You have two weapon types, saber and claw. The saber causes wounds, which can heal over time. Claws are what solidify the wounds as actual damage on the health bar. It's a very unique way to go about things and I quickly fell in love with this mechanic.

As players progress through the game, they absorb a range of alchemical powers from their enemies called Plague Weapons, each offering different tactical advantages in combat. These abilities can be customized and combined to create devastating effects, allowing players to adapt their playstyle to suit different challenges. Additionally, timing and precision play a crucial role, as successful deflects, dodges, and counters can turn the tide of battle, providing opportunities to unleash devastating retaliatory strikes.

The game's enemy variety and boss encounters present diverse and demanding combat scenarios, encouraging players to adapt their strategies and exploit enemy weaknesses. The combat in Thymesia is designed to be challenging yet rewarding, promoting a sense of mastery as players learn to leverage their alchemical arsenal, exploit enemy patterns, and execute precise maneuvers to emerge victorious in intense and thrilling battles throughout the plague-ridden world.

This is one of my favorite Souls-like games that I've ever played. I'm shocked as when I played the tutorial 9 months ago, I hated this game. This just goes to show you that I have many different moods when it comes to what type of games I enjoy playing.

Let's jump into some gameplay so you can see what this game is all about. It's dark and gritty, but not scary. It's difficult, but not borderline impossible. Thymesia is exactly the type of game I was looking for.