The kingdom of Hermes has been consumed by a lethal plague that distorts humans and beasts alike, and an ill-fated attempt to cure it by engineering the very pathogens has spiraled out of control. You play as Corvus, a mysterious alchemist-warrior who awakens without memories at the center of the catastrophe. To uncover what went wrong, he must dive into fragments of past battles and gather clues scattered throughout the shattered realm, piecing together the chain of events that led to ruin.
At the core of the gameplay is fast, aggressive, Souls-style combat built around two damage phases: an initial strike opens a temporary wound, and a finishing blow locks that damage in permanently. Without a traditional stamina bar, relentless pressure is rewarded, while precise parries and dodges leave enemies vulnerable to counters. Corvus can also morph into a raven, executing lightning-quick dashes and hurling feathers that interrupt a boss’s most dangerous moves.
The standout feature is the Plague Weapons system: every creature carries a unique biological weapon that Corvus can steal and add to his arsenal. Combining these stolen attacks with a perk-driven talent tree lets you craft a highly personal fighting style—anything from brutal hacks with a shattered blade to swirling clouds of poison. Experimenting with different pathogens provides both tactical advantages and narrative insight into the plague’s true nature.
The story unfolds through memory shards that branch into multiple endings based on the recipes you collect and the choices you make in the final chapters. A relatively short campaign of about eight hours is balanced by a New Game+ mode and higher difficulty tiers. Gothic visuals tinged with alchemical horror highlight the theme of “beauty in decay.” Thymesia is ideal for players who value precise, rhythmic combat and a grim atmosphere without needing a sprawling open world.
