On Tuesday May 16, 2023, Sony’s gaming subscription service PlayStation Plus released a trove of impressive games for its subscribers to download. From the acclaimed Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, to the recent Tomb Raider trilogy (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider), along with two notable Dishonored games (Dishonored 2 and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider), and even an intriguing new day one indie puzzle platformer called Humanity (as well as numerous other titles), this is arguably one of the best PS Plus lineup drops since the revamped service launched approximately one year ago.
However, hidden amongst the PlayStation Plus heavy-hitters is an overlooked indie title from August 2022 that deserves far more attention than it has been given. The game is Thymesia, a severely underrated Soulslike developed by OverBorder Studio, published by Team 17, and is a diamond in the rough among May’s formidable PS Plus lineup. Here is why PlayStation Plus subscribers and gamers on all platforms should give Thymesia a try.
Thymesia – An Under the Radar Indie Gem
Thymesia is a Soulslike, action-adventure game with RPG elements that launched for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 18, 2022. OverBorder Studio’s debut centers around an enigmatic player character named Corvus, who must navigate his memories in order to find a solution to save the plague-afflicted Hermes Kingdom. Thymesia incorporates a gothic aesthetic and dark fantasy setting for players to explore, with a world full of nightmarish monsters to slay, challenging bosses to battle, and serves as a much-needed nostalgia injection for those suffering from Bloodborne withdrawal. The narrative is unveiled entirely through environmental storytelling and findable lore documents, but the plot ultimately remains secondary to the Thymesia’s superb gameplay.
Related: 8 Reasons Why We Need a Bloodborne Remaster or Remake
Soulsborne Born Again
Despite the setting’s similar vibe to previous Souslborne games, Thymesia features brilliant, unique gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from the many other entries within the genre, while also maintaining the core concepts that have made Soulslike titles so popular. The game includes a deep plague weapons system and original combat concepts that prevent Thymesia from feeling like a retread of its more well-known counterparts. OverBorder Studio may not have surpassed FromSoftware’s prestigious lineup of Soulsborne standard-bearers, but Thymesia’s gameplay is unquestionably its strongest asset.
Thymesi-awe
For being an indie title, Thymesia has some shockingly gorgeous graphics and visuals, and runs at 60 FPS (frames per second) on PS5. From towering castles, to dark, spooky caverns, the world of Hermes Kingdom, while small, is undeniably breathtaking. Adding to the beauty of the setting is the game’s exquisite musical soundtrack/score that enhances Thymesia’s overall ambience and eerie atmosphere.
Accessible Souls
Despite the intimidating nature of the Soulsborne/Soulslike subgenres, Thymesia is extremely accessible to new and inexperienced gamers trying the genre for the first time. The common Soulslike mechanics are simplified, and you could even say that the game serves as somewhat of a tutorial for newcomers learning the ropes of the genre. Thymesia is definitely challenging, but is nowhere near as harsh as previous Soulslikes.
Also, unlike well-known FromSoftware masterpieces (Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring, etc.) that require significant time investment in their campaigns, Thymesia is a short, but sweet adventure that can easily be completed in less than ten hours. This is the perfect kind of game for subscription services, as instead of paying the full launch price for a short experience, you can enjoy Thymesia as a bonus to your already paid PlayStation plus membership, allowing you to play it for a mere fraction of the cost.
Thymesia – Prima’s Official Strategy Guide
If you find yourself intrigued by Thymesia, and wish to know more, Prima Games has multiple Thymesia guides and features that will aid you in your adventures through Hermes Kingdom. Also, if you’re interested in a more in-depth breakdown of the gameplay mechanics, backstory, and pros/cons, follow the related link below for Prima Games’ review of Thymesia.
Related: Thymesia Review | “Bring Out Your Dead” for a New Soulslike Adventure
Thymesia may not be perfect, but for PlayStation Plus subscribers, the game’s flaws are mitigated by the fact that it can be enjoyed for free as part of the subscription service. I strongly urge gamers on not just PlayStation, but all platforms to give Thymesia a try, and to support this unique, highly underrated debut effort from OverBorder Studio and Team 17.
