Thymesia is a third-person fantasy action RPG developed by OverBorder Studio and published by Team17 that challenges players to navigate a dark, plague-ridden world through fast-paced combat and memory exploration. Released on August 18, 2022, this Soulslike experience casts you as Corvus, a memory-lost plague doctor tasked with uncovering the truth behind a catastrophic alchemical disaster. Available on PC via Steam and GOG, as well as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch, Thymesia offers a distinct twist on the genre by integrating disease manipulation and shapeshifting mechanics into its core loop.

Story and Setting Overview

Set in the desolate Hermes Kingdom, the narrative revolves around a deadly plague that empowered some creatures while devastating the populace. The kingdom's reliance on alchemy led to questionable experiments, birthing a conspiracy of monstrous mutations. Corvus, a royal operative with scrambled memories, must traverse environments like the foggy Sea of Trees and the dilapidated Hermes' Fortress. By recovering memory shards and deciphering notes, players stitch together the truth of the calamity. The game emphasizes player agency regarding the narrative, offering multiple endings based on the choices made and items collected throughout the journey.

Thymesia: Combat Mechanics and Plague Wielding

Thymesia distinguishes itself with unique combat systems that reward precision and adaptability. A central mechanic allows players to "Harness the Plague" by seizing diseases from formidable bosses and wielding them as weapons. This enables Corvus to give enemies a taste of their own pathology. Additionally, the "Embrace the Raven" ability lets the protagonist shift into a raven form mid-battle, throwing feathers as projectiles and executing foes with raptor-like swiftness. Combat relies heavily on timing, particularly for deflecting enemy attacks, alongside dodging unavoidable strikes.

Progression is streamlined compared to traditional Soulsborne titles. Players collect memory shards, the game's currency, which are lost upon death and retrieved upon return. These shards are redeemed to upgrade three core stats: attack power, maximum health, and energy. While there are no character classes, Thymesia encourages build customization by allowing players to upgrade and modify basic movements and plague weapons, fostering a personalized play-style suited to the game's steep challenges.

Notable Features

  • Plague Weaponry: Utilize stolen diseases from bosses to turn the tide of battle.
  • Raven Transformation: Shift forms to gain mobility and execute powerful attacks.
  • Multiple Endings: Your decisions and collected items dictate the final outcome of Corvus's story.
  • Boss Encounters: Face a collection of super-tough bosses that demand mastery of the deflect and dodge mechanics.

Platform Availability

Thymesia is accessible across multiple modern gaming platforms. Players can experience the action on PC through Steam and GOG. Console gamers can dive into the plague on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X. Additionally, the game is available on the Nintendo Switch, bringing the Soulslike action to handheld play.

Who Should Play Thymesia?

Thymesia appeals to fans of Soulslike action RPGs who appreciate high-energy combat and dark fantasy aesthetics. The game's heavy reliance on deflecting attacks and fast-paced exchanges may resonate with players who enjoy the precision of titles like Sekiro, while the plague-wielding mechanics offer a fresh take on the genre. Those interested in a narrative driven by exploration and memory recovery, combined with challenging boss battles, will find Thymesia a compelling, albeit demanding, adventure.