Near-Mage

Released

Release Date: May 27, 2025

An adventure game set in an alternative version of Transylvania, made by the developers behind Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure. In Near-Mage we play as an unexperienced female witch, building relations with vampires, ghouls and other characters from the local folklore. We can also build our own spell set.

9.6

Steam

Rate It!

Ratings

 Videos: 1 

Images: 73 

Gameplay
Story
Graphics and other technical bits

Near-Mage is an adventure game that draws heavily from Transylvanian legends and folklore. It was developed by the independent Romanian studio Stuck In Attic, which has a similar genre and thematic project in its portfolio, Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure. Finishing development on this game was partially made possible thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

Gameplay

In Near-Mage we watch events from various "cinematic" shots.

Adventures of a young witch

The adventure leads us through cities of Sighisoara and the mythical Rakus, hidden behind a magical veil, as well as the Transylvanian Institute of Magic. The game's driving force are the classes that the main character attends, gradually increasing her magical potential.

Read More

Conducting conversations with NPCs is important in the game. We can help them with their problems (which involves solving puzzles) and build relationships with them. Other characters from the game include creatures from thrilling tales, such as vampires, strigoi, or ghouls.

Spells and character customization

Our protagonist is gradually learning new spells related to the elements of earth, fire, water, wind, and blood. For the purposes of the game, a system was developed that allows us to combine their components and create various spells based on them. The spells we choose to cast in certain situations affect the outcome of our actions and in many cases determine the further course of events.

The icing on the cake is the ability to change the appearance of the main character through outfits and hairstyles.

Story

Near-Mage transports us to an alternative version of Transylvania. The main character of the game is a teenager named Illy Vraja, who comes here at the invitation of her aunt. When the protagonist finds out that she comes from a lineage of witches, she decides to enroll in the Transylvanian Institute of Magic and develop her supernatural abilities. How her future unfolds largely depends on our actions and the choices we make.

Graphics and other technical bits

The two-dimensional graphic design of Near-Mage is maintained in a style straight out of cartoons. Developers allow us to choose between a point-and-click control scheme and a direct control over the female protagonist.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Developer: Stuck In Attic

Publisher: Stuck In Attic

Age restrictions: 12+

Similar Games:

The Coffin of Andy and Leyley

Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure

Grim Fandango Remastered

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Near-Mage Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD Graphics 3000, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-3470 3.2 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Near-Mage Video Game.

96%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Positive (28)

STEAM

Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Visuals and Art: The game features stunning hand-painted graphics and animations, which many players found to be its strongest aspect.
Story and Worldbuilding: The narrative is engaging with a charming atmosphere, drawing players into the magical world of Transylvania.
Voice Acting: High-quality voice acting enhances the character interactions and overall experience.
Character Customization: Players appreciated the ability to customize the main character, which adds a personal touch to the gameplay.
Humor and Charm: Some reviews noted that the game contains moments of humor and a whimsical charm that resonates well with players.

The main cons of the game

Gameplay Mechanics: Many s found the gameplay to be overly simplistic and linear, often describing it as a visual novel rather than a true point-and-click adventure. There is a lack of meaningful puzzles or challenges.
Character Depth: Several reviews criticized the characters for being uninteresting and lacking depth, with some players finding the main plot uninspired.
Repetitive Tasks: Players noted that the quest structure often involves repetitive back-and-forth travel, making the experience feel tedious and boring.
Navigation Issues: Some s experienced problems with the navigation system, particularly when using a controller, which made moving between locations frustrating.
Lack of Agency: Many reviews expressed disappointment with the linear nature of the story and quests, which left little room for player choice or exploration.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s

Puzzles and Challenges: Players expected more complex puzzles and interactive gameplay elements typical of point-and-click adventures but found them lacking.
Inventory System: The absence of an inventory system was noted as a significant omission, reducing the sense of exploration and problem-solving.
Character Development: s desired more depth in character development and interactions, as well as more engaging dialogue choices that impact the story.
Replayability: While some quests had different solutions, many felt that the overall experience lacked replay value due to the linear progression and simplistic mechanics.
Quality of Life Features: Although some appreciated the inclusion of fast travel and hotspot displays, there was a call for more standard features that enhance navigation and interaction.

Summary

Overall, while "Near-Mage" has received praise for its artistic presentation and charming story, it has also faced criticism for its gameplay depth and character engagement, leading to a mixed reception among players.

Summary generated on: June 3, 2025

BG3 Interactive Map