The Necromancer’s Tale Review

I’ve heard amazing things about The Necromancer’s Tale. However, I’m not sure if it is the right game for the console market. Its remarkably slow approach makes the phrase “slow burner” seem like an epic 100m sprint. Yet, if you can get over the brilliant but exceptionally arduous opening, you’ll enjoy a game that is filled with atmosphere, drama, and amazing environments. Moreover, the hand-drawn imagery offers an oil painting style with a gothic edge.

Psychic Software has developed this epic gaming experience. It is a single-player title that plays out from an isometric viewpoint. Moreover, there is a combination of exploration, relationship building, and turn-based combat. The latter isn’t as challenging as I hoped, but this is the perfect introduction to that world. The other elements combine wonderfully to produce a slow but interesting magical adventure.

The Necromancer’s Tale explores relationships, magic, and the cost of both.

You play the role of a minor nobleman who lives in an alternative-history kingdom near Venice. After returning home for your father’s suspicious death, you find yourself interwoven in a web of lies, political intrigue, family secrets, and revenge. You cannot rest until you find the answers behind your father’s demise, and this leads you down a dark path of magic and no return.

The story is fantastic, even though the latter half of the game lacks balance. Moreover, the dialogue and trust system can take a little getting used to. Minor errors can impact how the story flows. Consequently, a single mistake can block off major story paths. Although this could imply an increase in replay value, I’d rather have had the opportunity to correct my errors during my first playthrough.

The developer has included 3 difficulty modes to test veterans of the genre. With 3 difficulty modes to select from, you can enjoy challenging turn-based combat or focus purely on the story. I sat in the middle ground, and I feel this was the right place to start. However, if you want to push yourself and not return for a full playthrough, I recommend smashing it on the top setting from the off.

Necromancy and combat.

The combat really does play second fiddle in The Necromancer’s Tale. Although it is interesting, it lacks the tactical intensity and fast pace of many of its peers. You must use different weapons and a list of spells to improve your chances of survival. Additionally, some minor tactical elements, such as height and the use of the environment, play a small part.

This didn’t surprise me as gamers will enjoy/endure around 400,000 words of narrative and over 180 NPCs. This makes the trust and dialogue system a massive part of this title. Furthermore, the investigatory aspect and freedom to explore are major parts as well. This makes this a slower but almost overbearing game that’ll appeal to a particular audience.

The necromancy focuses heavily on lore and deciphering dark formulas. Additionally, there is a sense of grind as you must gather resources to execute your spells. This was a little tedious as the quests felt repetitive, and finding the right ingredients wasn’t an easy task. Other than this, the magical aspect unfolds similarly to other games in the genre.

The Necromancer’s Tale is a brilliant Gothic experience.

The Necromancer’s Tale delivers a brilliant gothic experience with masses of variety and some exceptional character models. The eye for detail is wonderful, and I loved the hand-drawn finish. The developers have incorporated an oil-based painting style that is dark, sinister, and captivating. This works perfectly with that exceptional story and mountains of dialogue. The audio has a dated but dramatic edge. This combines nicely with the blend of subtle and OTT sound effects. The outcome is a dramatic but slow game that holds your interest.

I’m certain that this would handle better with a mouse and keyboard. However, I coped perfectly well with my gamepad. Although selecting certain items wasn’t always as easy as it should have been, I never felt pressured or out of my depth. Furthermore, learning the basics was achievable even though those opening stages felt unnecessarily protracted. You’ll need to spend around 30 hours to get through a playthrough, so this offers plenty of value for your initial investment. Moreover, experiencing every storyline requires multiple runs. Subsequently, there is plenty of longevity and replay value.

The Necromancer’s Tale is slow but fantastic.

The Necromancer’s Tale is a game that has a limited appeal. I absolutely love it, but I know that it won’t be for everyone. The slow gameplay will instantly put some people off. Additionally, the trust system and mountains of dialogue may be overwhelming. Accordingly, I’d think wisely before investing, but I recommend grabbing a copy here!