Out now, The Necromancer's Tale is basically gothic Disco Elysium with combat

Since Disco Elysium's release in 2019, nothing else has quite matched it. To be sure, there's been some fantastic RPGs since then. Baldur's Gate 3 is a tactical and story-telling marvel. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an incredible throwback to the golden age of Final Fantasy. Metaphor ReFantazio is a dense JRPG with a vivid fantasy world. But the exact blend of storytelling and world-building Disco Elysium provided still stands apart. However, a few games are looking to live up to its now storied legacy. One such game is The Necromancer's Tale, a story-driven, gothic RPG with a complex magic system.

The Necromancer's Tale is a classic top-down computer RPG, one which uses the "scrolling" text window and painterly visual style from Disco Elysium. It's set in 1733, in a fictional kingdom close to Venice. You play as one of the kingdom's minor nobles, investigating the suspicious death of their father and thereby being drawn into a world of black magic. You'll construct your own character, becoming an expert soldier, an charismatic socialite, or a shrewd academic.

The magic is a complex system upon itself and has implications in combat and social situations alike. If you flaunt your black magic, the townfolk may turn against you. If you manage to remain hidden, but your deeds gain notoriety, the town can feel threatened and paranoid. In combat, you'll lead your army of the dead in turn-based battles. If you want to focus on the story, you can automate the combat, but it is a fully featured part of the game. You'll gain new abilities by advancing the main story and exploring the world. Like the best story games, The Necromancer's Tale is rich and complex, written out in over 400,000 words.

You can purchase The Necromancer's Tale on Steam for a launch discount price of $22.49 until July 27.

If you want more steady, tactical battles, check out our list of the best turn-based RPGs. If you are desirous for more vivid, fantastical worlds, take a took through the best fantasy games.

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