Psychic Software has announced the development of The Lich Wars, a narrative driven dark fantasy RPG set in an alternate version of the 18th century. The project serves as a standalone prequel to The Necromancer's Tale, requiring no prior knowledge of the previous game. The story takes place in the fictional kingdom of Rulsthen, near Venice, where necromancy and dark magic reshape military conflicts and threaten political stability across Western Europe.

The narrative follows a newly recruited musketeer throughout a 30 year military career in the Rychva Musketeers regiment. What begins as a bloody war won through the resurrection of the dead gradually develops into a scenario marked by growing fear and superstition, eventually culminating in a civil war and the rise of the Lich. Decisions made throughout the journey influence the character's military career, relationships with fellow soldiers and the course of the conflicts.

With approximately 300,000 words of original narrative, the experience combines branching choices, skill checks inspired by classic computer RPGs and tactical combat built around written descriptions. The system features nine distinct RPG skills and randomized critical hit tables, while encounters range from duels and skirmishes to naval battles and large scale military engagements.

The visual presentation uses a three dimensional book to display the branching narrative, accompanied by key scenes depicted as hand painted miniatures on a tabletop beside it. Hundreds of original illustrations, portraits and maps complement the text, while partial voice acting brings selected characters and narrative moments to life. Although it shares the same universe as its predecessor, the game can be played in either order, introducing familiar characters at earlier stages of their lives and revealing the events that brought necromancy to Rulsthen.

The story also explores questions surrounding responsibility, progress and the moral consequences of war. Sam Redfern, lead developer and narrative lead at Psychic Software, explained that the project emerged from players' interest in the events preceding the story of The Necromancer's Tale. According to Redfern, "In The Necromancer's Tale, the years between 1700 and 1728 were only a brief prologue, yet players kept asking about them. The Lich Wars is our chance to tell that story properly and to lean into the writing that players responded to most."

Redfern also highlighted the gothic nature of the narrative and how its characters deal with the consequences of their actions. "At its heart it's a Gothic tale about a society haunted by its past. Necromancy works, but nobody fully understands its cost and every character remembers the war in a way that lets them live with what they did. Those questions about progress, responsibility and the ethics of war feel as relevant today as they did in the 1700s" the developer stated.