Stylish soulslike role-playing game Thymesia has revealed its release date via a fast-paced new trailer. Kicked off by FromSoftware's Demon's Souls and codified by the Dark Souls series, the "soulslike" genre denotes action RPGs with challenging combat, intricate lore and ruthless bosses. Elden Ring is the newest FromSoftware soulslike, but other developers are always taking inspiration to create their own original experiences.
Ever since the Dark Souls trilogy popularized the genre, soulslikes have become popular projects for indie game developers. Games like Lords of the Fallen and Salt and Sanctuary put their own spins on the typical FromSoftware formula by adding new mechanics, changing combat styles or even adopting unique camera perspectives. Meanwhile, FromSoftware continues to create its own unique titles like the cosmic horror adventure Bloodborne or the more fast-paced Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The recently-released Elden Ring pushed the genre to even greater heights by successfully transitioning the soulslike formula into a massive open world. Meanwhile, a preview of Salt and Sacrifice proves that indie developers still have plenty of original concepts to contribute to the ever-evolving genre.
A release date reveal trailer for Thymesia, posted to YouTube by developer Team 17, shows off the game's soulslike influences. Set in a desolate plague-ridden kingdom and casting players as a powerful plague doctor, the game looks to borrow heavily from the Bloodborne aesthetic. However, Thymesia's fast-paced swordplay seems to draw more heavily from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. A unique mechanic lets players steal disease from their foes to construct powerful weapons, and assuming a raven form grants enhanced speed during battle. Thymesia is set to release on August 9, and soulslike fans may want to keep a close eye on it.
While games in the genre are renowned for their unforgiving difficulty and an emphasis on death, soulslikes should not be scary to new players. Many games in the genre, like Dragon's Dogma and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, engage players without frustrating them or driving them away with complexity. Even titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, which can be daunting for first-time players, include mechanics that help teach newcomers the ropes and ease them into the experience. Thymesia will hopefully share these qualities and let a wide range of gamers enjoy the diseased adventure.
Following the immense popularity of Elden Ring, Team 17's Thymesia looks to be a smaller and more action-oriented installment in the soulslike genre. The title seems to contain many unique mechanics, like plague weapons and a raven transformation, which will make for an intense ARPG experience. With an August 9 release date, Thymesia will soon open its plague-ridden streets to soulslike fans.
Thymesia will release on August 9 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Source: Team 17/YouTube