Psychic Software has unleashed a new demo for The Necromancer’s Tale, offering players a first look at its morally complex, story-rich RPG set in an alternate 18th-century Italy. Available now via Steam, the demo invites would-be necromancers to step into a world of political decay, occult rituals, and the quiet seduction of absolute power.
Described as a gothic, isometric RPG with deep narrative threads, The Necromancer’s Tale casts players as a minor noble drawn into the black arts. But rather than a power fantasy draped in dark robes, the game leans heavily into psychological horror and ethical ambiguity. Inspired by Disco Elysium and Pillars of Eternity, it aims to reframe necromancy not just as a skill tree, but as a lived experience: secretive, manipulative, and increasingly isolating.
“In The Necromancer’s Tale, necromancy isn’t just another branch of magic—it’s the heart of the story,” explains Game Director Sam Redfern. “It’s about choice, sacrifice, and the slow, inevitable pull of darkness.”
A World Built on Secrets and Consequences
The updated demo showcases the game’s commitment to branching dialogue, faction intrigue, and complex character interactions. With over 180 unique NPCs and a script spanning more than 400,000 words, players can expect a rich and reactive world where choices carry weight, both narratively and politically.
The trust-based faction system shapes how characters perceive you, not only by what you say, but by what you are seen doing. Perform dark rituals in secret, manipulate noble courts, or commune with the spirits of the dead—the consequences ripple outward, leading to unlikely alliances or dangerous enemies.
There’s also a distinct Lovecraftian influence, both in tone and worldbuilding. Supernatural forces lurk behind the façade of Enlightenment-era rationalism, challenging the boundary between science and sorcery. The result is a setting where alchemy bleeds into chemistry, and medicine begins to resemble ritual.
Gameplay Highlights
- Master Necromancy: Raise the dead, commune with spirits, and perform taboo rituals with lasting consequences.
- Tactical Combat: Engage in turn-based battles that leverage both traditional tactics and your undead minions. For story-focused players, a combat auto-resolve system streamlines encounters.
- Faction Dynamics: Influence or undermine factions using espionage, diplomacy, or dark magic. Relationships evolve based on choices and reputation.
- Narrative Depth: A 25–50 hour campaign unfolds through branching quests, hidden dungeons, and ethically charged dilemmas.
- Atmospheric Setting: Explore a richly imagined 18th-century world steeped in political unrest, where power corrupts and nothing stays buried for long.
Available Now: Steam Demo
The free demo covers the game’s early chapters and includes a full dungeon crawl, giving players a taste of both the narrative stakes and the tactical combat systems. For those drawn to morally complex RPGs with a historical twist, The Necromancer’s Tale looks to be a haunting new entry in the genre.
Whether you’re here for the political machinations or the thrill of commanding the dead, Psychic Software’s latest project seems poised to offer a compelling RPG adventure.
