Independent studio Psychic Software has officially announced The Lich Wars — a story-rich Gothic RPG that blends branching interactive fiction with deep role-playing skills and narrative-driven combat. Serving as a fully stand-alone prequel to the studio’s critically acclaimed CRPG The Necromancer’s Tale, the game invites players to witness the century-old conflict that shaped the dark world fans know — and newcomers will discover for the very first time. A reveal trailer is available to watch now.
A Kingdom’s Fall — Spanning Thirty Years
Set in the alternative-history kingdom of Rulsthen, a fictional realm nestled near 18th-century Venice, The Lich Wars casts you as a recruit in the elite Rychva Musketeers — a career that will unfold across nearly 30 years of service. From 1700 to 1728, you rise through the ranks, fight in two devastating wars of the undead, and watch as necromancy — once a forbidden secret — slowly poisons the minds of the living and the fate of the nation.
What begins as a campaign to defend borders evolves into something far darker: the very magic used to win battles unravels the kingdom from within. Factions form, loyalties fracture, and a terrible figure rises to claim the throne. Every decision you make doesn’t just change your personal story — it rewrites the history of Rulsthen itself.
Three Pillars of Narrative Depth
Interactive Fiction — 300,000 Words of Branching Story
The game is built around hand-crafted prose totalling roughly 300,000 words — a sprawling narrative where choices carry weight across decades. Your character ages, relationships deepen or fracture, and consequences unfold slowly: a decision made as a young recruit may return to haunt you as a seasoned commander.
Nine RPG Skills — Shape Who You Are
Progress through a skill system covering physical, social, and intellectual attributes:
- Strength, Agility, Endurance
- Charisma, Authority, Empathy
- Reasoning, Scholarship, Perception
Skill checks resolve critical moments — from talking a mutinous squad back into line to detecting a necromancer’s coded message — and the way you build your character opens entirely different paths through the story.
Prose-Driven Combat — Duels, Fleets, and Fields of Battle
Combat isn’t just hack-and-slash — it’s narrated conflict shaped by your skills and choices:
- Duels — precision clashes where psychology matters as much as swordplay
- Naval engagements — command ships and make tactical calls that determine the fate of coastlines
- Large-scale battles — lead troops across fields where the dead don’t always stay fallen
Critical hit tables and variable outcomes keep encounters tense, while your character’s traits and past experiences influence how fights unfold.
Stand-Alone Prequel — No Homework Required
While The Lich Wars is deeply connected to The Necromancer’s Tale, it has been designed as a complete, independent experience:
- New players can step in without prior knowledge — this is the origin story of Rulsthen’s corruption
- Returning fans will encounter beloved figures in their younger years, witnessing events only hinted at in the original game’s prologue
- Play in any order — both games stand alone; each enriches the other
The Necromancer’s Tale earned widespread praise upon release, securing three awards at the Imirt Irish Games Awards 2026, including Best Overall Storytelling, with a narrative exceeding 400,000 words. The Lich Wars carries that legacy forward, expanding the universe rather than simply retreading it.
Watch the Reveal & Wishlist Today
The reveal trailer is live now alongside the game’s Steam store page. While a release date has not yet been confirmed, The Lich Wars is in development for PC via Steam. Add it to your wishlist to be notified the moment more details arrive.
The lich’s shadow stretches long — but here, you decide how it falls.
More Info: The Lich Wars
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