In the midst of contributing to Baldur's Gate 3 and working on the remake of the original Witcher, Fool's Theory has been diligently crafting the unconventional historical CRPG The Thaumaturge. With a blend of strategic turn-based combat and intriguing RPG elements revolving around the protagonist's skill to manipulate people, The Thaumaturge promises to be a standout addition in the gaming landscape. Fans of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series will find the demonic Salutors of The Thaumaturge to be a comforting nod to the familiar.

Similar to the renowned JRPGs, the protagonist Wiktor in The Thaumaturge can engage with and be aided by esoteric beings known as Salutors in combat and various gameplay scenarios. These Salutors, a diverse mix of paranormal entities, straddle the line between supernatural realms and historical inspirations of The Thaumaturge. Bonding with these Salutors aligned with the game's four Dimensions grants Wiktor unique abilities and influences both dialogues and encounters, akin to the mechanics of the Persona series.

The Dimensions in The Thaumaturge Echo Persona's Arcana

Like Personas from Atlus' Persona series, each Salutor in The Thaumaturge is associated with one of the four Dimensions of the game. Depending on the Dimensions chosen for Wiktor, specific Salutors become more effective, creating new opportunities in dialogues and battles while closing off others. The four Dimensions are:

• Word
• Heart
• Deed
• Mind

While The Thaumaturge has only four Dimensions for Salutors to align with, this setup will resonate with Persona fans familiar with each Persona's connection to a specific Arcana. Strengthening these Arcana through Social Links impacts Persona growth and development, particularly in Persona Fusion.

The Arcana in Persona draw from the traditional Tarot deck, resulting in 21 different alignments across the myriad of Personas. Neglecting certain Social Links in Persona can render some Personas ineffective, much like how choosing one Dimension over another may affect the usefulness of specific Salutors for Wiktor.

Salutors: 'Lovecraftian Pokemon' in Line with Persona

Similar to Personas, the design of Salutors in The Thaumaturge draws inspiration from various mythologies and folklore. While the exact number of Salutors remains undisclosed, each is rooted in real-world legends. This mirrors the approach of the creatures aiding players in the Persona series, with names and designs linked to spiritual and paranormal entities from Eastern and Western cultures.

The process of encountering, taming, and 'collecting' Salutors and Personas creates a dark, esoteric version of Pokemon, each with distinct abilities affecting combat encounters. Unlike Pokemon, the protagonist in both Persona and The Thaumaturge can actively participate in battles. When faced with challenges or the need to unravel secrets, Salutors provide crucial support, tipping the scales in the player's favor.