Archmage Rises - Procedural Open World Medieval RPG

[@MrEnvisioner]

I've known the dev for this game Thomas Henshell for several years, and I can attest to his passion, intelligence, dedication, and sacrifice in pouring everything he can into this project. Anyone interested in this game: know that you can trust this guy to deliver on a high-quality RPG in the long-term.

[@JeffNeet]

I can second this. ☝

[@nazaxprime]

Thanks for speaking to his character, these things matter. Someday, I hope for someone to say the same thing on a video about my project. 😎👍👍

[@DragonmasterKeel]

question do you know since you can age in the game if there is or will be a way to not age as get eternal youth or immortal(time wise)?(also hope he allows modding to let the game grow even more)

[@jackwillhelm7622]

He seems really passionate especially after seeing people speak out about him. I just dont like that even with the game in early access and being buggy to the point that alll 6 of my playthroughs have had to end early because of it, hes already talking about locking content that should be in the base game and free, that is said you can do in game on the store page, behind dlcs. like i seen the road map i could expect it for new playable races but the first two major updates to children and apprentices like bro i already paid for the game its early access already so what will every update be 7 dollars that brings new stuff? I get that its a small team but damn that just really upsets me is what it is ig just wanted to express my feelings on it to someone who says to know him personally.

[@Vesdus]

This is actually incredible. I would say this game is way more in-depth than Dwarf Fortress Adventure Mode. You can become a medieval rockstar? Or just settle down and become a parent? You can be a merchant or a dungeon delver? You can own a wizards tower and have disciples? Thanks so much for showing me this game!

[@GameTimeWhy]

Agreed. This looks fantastic. Hopefully it works on steam deck.

[@danielm.595]

From what I've read on the Steam page, I'd say yes to all of those.

[@reiseafa8789]

This game seriously looks like it can give endless fun to those who likes RP, and if the moddability is good, this might be another classic IMO, I will surely have a lot of fun with this game.

[@ArchmageRises]

Developer here: So glad to you get the breadth of the game! Passing this on to the team, cuz sometimes they think I'm crazy with all the features 😛

[@teddy5004]

I just want a game I can play as a magic archer :(

[@foxholeartist]

Looks like a game that will eat few years of my life. I didn't knew about it's existence just an hour ago, but now I can't wait to play it

[@dontwannadie7634]

I'm glad you're covering this game. It's seriously underrated

[@Jasta85]

Saying it's like Dwarf fortress adventure mode or the old MUDs definitely got my attention, both of those devoured my life in my early years, definitely going to keep an eye on this.

[@Ninja40K]

Never heard of old muds is it like DF?

[@andrewshandle]

@@Ninja40K MUDs (Multi-User-Dungeons) were generally texted based (or with some very basic ASCII Graphics) online games that were the precursors to the first MMOs. The main difference was that for most of them the content was generated by players themselves who were promoted to "wizards" by the admins as long as they knew how to code a bit and wanted to spent time creating content. Most MUDs were run by Universities or Colleges in the 1990s, and while I'm sure they still exist today, I would suspect that MMOs pretty much made them irrelevant to most players.

[@Reoh0z]

A month or so back Splatty was talking up a really old school RPG he was about to introduce us to. I became all excited for a text based game like when I grew up. The game was nothing like that, and I felt very old.

[@ostrowulf]

@@andrewshandle Man, I forgot about those.

[@neutralkushhotel5010]

@@Reoh0zyou might like roadwarden, text based indie rpg that came out a few months back.

[@GameTimeWhy]

This actually looks really cool. The text adventure combined with tactical combat is a wishlist for me.

[@kareningram6093]

I appreciate the fact that you can adjust the strength of your spells on the fly. I wish more games offered that option.

[@TheWretchedOwl]

Procedurally generating a thousand years of lore is pretty awesome, have to say, looks pretty solid too for something not even in early access yet.

[@RoseKindred]

Yep, you did roll a 20, but it counted it as a 4, +2 with Run skill for 6.

[@Gameboon]

Been following this game for years now. It's gotten so much love and attention over the years, glad you're covering it.

[@DarrylCross]

Splat: Plays a game about being a mage Also Splat: Rolls up Gaston

[@maky9312]

This looks like a game that is being made because there's a serious lack in the genre. I'm really looking forward to this one.

[@Reoh0z]

D&D Dragonlance's Tower's of High Sorcery. They had three orders of mages, whose magic was aligned with the planet's 3 moon-gods. The White Mages were attuned with Solinari, the largest white moon. The Red Mages were attuned with Lunitari, the mid sized red moon. The Black Mages were attuned with Nuitari, the often 'invisible' black moon. Mages power fluctuated with the phases of their moon-god, and there was a rare alignment where all there were in place, which was the only time the non-black mages could easily see Nuitari as the three moons formed what looked like an eye whose specific name I forget. It was a time of much !FUN!.

[@zarddin]

Give back my profile picture!

[@TheRealCodeBlack]

This kind of adventuring in an alive universe where things are happening everywhere and everyone has a relationship you can cultivate and so on is the kind of game I've wanted for years. Definitely going to be keeping an eye out for this one.

[@ElChocoLocoDeLaVega]

Looks super cool and potentially very deep.

[@iskallos7593]

Huh, I've actually been waiting for a game like this for some time. Hopefully the writing is solid because it's basically a text adventure.

[@SoulWhite]

I hope whoever is making this realize to minimize the text amount as much as possible. All text adventures should be short and to the point.

[@moku1648]

This is my favorite kind of game! It's already looking stunning, and I hope the developer keeps up with adding content.

[@III_phr]

Thanks splat, for going through all the hurdle of making these videos!

[@misticmaze]

I almost ran away from this video at full speed to play it now. But you know I gotta stay and give my man splat that watch time. But as soon as this is done, I'm going play it.

[@KitShannon]

This takes me back 25 years. MUDs were amazing to play. Thanks for pointing this one out.

[@SwedishTwigg]

This honestly look like it has potential to be a real banger!

[@catriona_drummond]

Now THIS is roleplaying. Very excited for this game now.

[@demavend6847]

I remember my second time ever going to GenCon the devs for this game had a booth. I ended up having a good conversation with them, and they were handing out alpha access keys. This was 2017 iirc. There was not much to the game back then. It's pretty incredible how much progress has been made. Pretty exciting that they're entering official early access soon.

[@GameTimeWhy]

Were they pretty cool dudes? Down to earth? I hate when you have pretentious devs.

[@demavend6847]

@@GameTimeWhy Yeah, definitely. Genuinely good vibes when I was chatting with them.

[@whoopontrose2517]

"why did you name him splat" "That was the sound when he hit the floor!"

[@chuckmcmath3932]

Thanks for unearthing another interesting indie game. You've highlighted a lot of games I would never have found on my own!

[@Ekklo]

This def looks like the game I have been questing for. Added to wishlist. Thanks Splatt!

[@bazamere]

The dragonlance world had anyone could be a low level mage but in order to go into the higher levels you had to pass the test... which was often fatal.... kept the people who just wanted to dabble out of the dangerous stuff. Ok that is my nerdy moment for the morning.... back to the video

[@GameTimeWhy]

So in actual game mechanics you could die if unprepared for the test? That sounds awesome.

[@daviddonachie5333]

@@GameTimeWhy Definitely, if you took it after character creation it could totally kill you, or leave you with fascinating magical scars

[@GameTimeWhy]

@@daviddonachie5333 that's really cool.

[@Notrelevanthere]

Looks dope, the depth shown in the menus and spell customization sold it for me.

[@ombra711]

Never knew this game existed, wish they would wait until at least a month out, the wait will be cruel

[@kevorkyijan118]

This game take me back before videogames even existed. You had a book and a dice, to move around the world...or to fight enemies buy/sell stuff. Is refreshing to see😊

[@susaac9755]

Ah yes, my favorite mage build... Strength!

[@ElChocoLocoDeLaVega]

"I cast Fist!"

[@danielm.595]

@@ElChocoLocoDeLaVega "AND I, CATO SICARIUS CA... *_AAHHRG_* "

[@Hatfr0g]

This seems like SUCH a cool game! The beginning character stuff reminds me a lot of the character generation for the Beyond The Wall TTRPG

[@MyrdinAnnoth]

This is a game all the RPG RP fans have been asking for from AAA game companies, only to time and time again be disapointed. Meanwhile this madlad of a developer managed to do just that! Now imagine what a higher budget and bigger team could accomplish! Definitely a very interesting title worth keeping an eye on.

[@playwars3037]

6:43 A lot of medieval towns and cities actually did that. Bridges too, almost systematically had toll booths. Part of the reason there was so little trade despite having roughly the same tech level as the roman empire, who was WAY more interconnected, was because of these absurd taxes everywhere that just made it impossible to turn a profit.

[@TripleM24]

Absolutely incredible. I've waited so long for a game at the very specific intersection of all these genres and mechanics so I'm hyped af for this. DF and RimWorld are close but not quite. This game has so much potential.

[@PTLANS]

I'm so glad you found this game. I've been obsessed with it, following its development religiously.

[@TheYashakami]

Looks amazing I love the style and the mixture of different rpg techniques is exactly what I've been looking for. Especially those dungeons/lairs.

[@ohdubwest7533]

Man … I’m loving this one. I played MajorMUD a bunch when I was a kid. I haven’t thought about MUDs in a long time.

[@Reoh0z]

Me, "Don't do that quest because the situation sounds nefarious." Splatty, "Didn't do that quest because I don't know if it pays enough."

[@MadPutz]

Incredible - reminds me of a more open-ended Dragon Court (if you remember that web based game)!

[@Kyrkby]

Gotta hand it to the dev, putting your own name above the game's title takes a brass set of balls.

[@aaronrichter3590]

This needs a full playthrough series!!!

[@TheTwosliceToaster]

That's another one added to the wishlist. Your videos are much appreciated good sir :)

[@GC13]

This game looks absolutely amazing; I'll have to take the demo for a spin.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

This game has the feel of sitting down and playing someone's custom improv TT-RPG campaign with all the rough edges and spreadsheets. That isn't a bad thing, its actually pretty remarkable. Imagine if a game like this was powered by an AI like Chat GPT that was just writing the story AS you play the game. That would be cool AF! One problem that I did see is that when splat rolled a nat 20 to run, the text said he rolled a 4. not sure what happened there because 4 wasn't even showing on any face on the die even remotely facing up. Of all the things to bug out the RNG auto failing something feels particularly bad.

[@davidfletcher6703]

You're thinking of Dragon Age, the mages outside the college are called Apostates

[@joshn.1672]

we can spend our life having a house? i can finally live out my dreams!

[@Nerivon]

I just want to thank you for consistently spending my future pay cheques on games I don't have time to play but buy anyway. ;D

[@Kyle-rq1sr]

Finds like this are why I love your channel.

[@jacklenz1841]

I met the developer about 7 years ago at a con it was in the early stages of this game and I must say this game is most definitely a passion project and incredibly ambitious. I expect this is most likely a game that will never truly be *finished* I expect even after release there will constantly be new systems and reworks not unlike its inspiration Dwarf Fortress.

[@SalmonCaramel]

Wow this looks exactly like the kind of game I've wanted ever since I got obsessed with DF adventure mode! Thanks for the upload, Splat!

[@gaamejaam6901]

This is the game i dreamed my entire life. Even the graphics.

[@crashannburnFPV]

According to the developers, this demo is just a small fraction of the full game that comes into Early Access in April 2023. I'm really looking forward to this one. Even this small demo that's focusing on one single main quest, there are a lot of things to do. Just awesome! Thanks for showing the world all these good games, but this game is just epic!

[@Elkator955]

I really wanted a mage survival/rpg game for years. Maybe this will be it?

[@littlepotato2741]

Looks interesting. Added that to my wishlist because it looks like it could be fun.

[@manio22]

Suprised you know about M.U.Ds. Played the heck out of them and even had one of my own back in the days. Respect.

[@Caigul]

Inspired by Raistlin Majere of Dragonlance - The core concept is to go from humble beginnings to becoming the most influential and powerful mage in the world? Dragonlance fans will find much to enjoy. was in the games description so should be pretty heavy on dragonlance influence

[@kadnhart6661]

"A game sort of like the Adventure Mode in Dwarf Fortress -- " Say no more, close the video and wishlist. Quickest you've ever sold me on a game lmao

[@TheJoshman01]

You had me at "like dragonlance" the second best ad&d setting, after Birthright.

[@RupertAndCheese]

Seems extremely ambitious, hope it goes well!

[@cabbage265]

Keep up the good work Splatt!

[@gamingtonight1526]

The character building is straight out of Darklands, a 1995 cRPG by Microprose, an underrated classic!

[@ArchmageRises]

Developer here: You are SO RIGHT! I loved Darklands. All these years later, I still wish I finished it. 😛

[@DV80s]

@@ArchmageRises Glad to hear Darklands was some inspiration to Archmage Rises. I hope you'll eventually make Archmage Rises available outside of Steam. The game definitely gave me Darklands feel. Amazing Darklands hasn't been brought to modern pcs, one of the best games ever.

[@Laserbeams_]

"Reminds me of MUDs" while I'm playing a MUD right now. Splat, you get me, I really appreciate that.

[@RaeontheLeft]

I didn't think I would be into this at the start but I really am. Going to add this to my list of games

[@Erebus2075]

19:32 love how they go "mind control is a major issue for those people we havent already mindcontrolled; ehem i mean Holy ODDLED into obidience, totally different xD :P

[@LumberingTroll]

This game looks great, I look forward to release.

[@jonathant8575]

Had it on wishlist for a while, and looking forward to it even more after watching this.

[@NegatveSpace]

I was thinking the spiders were going to look scary but they are so cute! Then you blasted the tree and revealed the other one lol.

[@TreguardD]

I think this was announced 7 to 8 years ago at Gencon.

[@Zoltor26]

Just a heads up for anyone looking into this game since it just released into early access pretty recently. A lot of the features displayed here have been rolled back in favor for a more stable experience and getting re-released in future updates. No scaling spells, no wizard tower, and a lot of other features on the steam page/faq aren't there.

[@Jcewazhere]

In Dragonlance you can choose not to take the (often deadly) final test and quit the mages guild with no ill effects. You don't get access to the higher magics and stuff the ones that take the test do, but you also don't get hunted down for having magic. You're thinking of Dragon Age. In that universe anyone with magic is a threat because they attract demons and can be taken over to become monstrous. So the mages guilds there go to rather extreme measures to keep the mages in check. Hunting down any mage that tries to flee the guild is just the tip of the iceberg. Also: algorithm the for comment.

[@ruffdoggo]

I am shocked you mentioned Dragonlance hahah that's awesome. But yes you're on point with the reference

[@Erebus2075]

looks awesome always love mage focus games

[@UristMcFarmer]

Hugh Jackman buff? No son, you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan the Barbarian buff!

[@Dillian125]

this seems cool, ill definitely pick this up when it comes out

[@franjus3731]

Bought it today, this game is a gem. Awesome :) Speak about it a lot !!!

[@Pixie1001.]

Omg, this game actually released :o I remember seeing it on Steam greenlight like a decade ago, and being like huh, I wonder if that game's still in development...

[@Alakazzam09]

Reminds me of SpiderWeb Software's stuff. Great games, very in-depth. I've spent more than 20 years playing them and still boot them up from time to time.

[@LifeCodeGame]

Archmage Rises looks like an amazing game! Can't wait to explore the procedurally generated world and become the most powerful mage alive.

[@joramhh1637]

The way you yelled "beefcake" made me wishlist

[@The_HappyHollow]

Much like Spacebourne 2, it seems like people who have been playing RPGs for a long time and have that idea of what gamers want has finally started to post up their games and works. Its going to be a "Golden age" for RPG gaming it seems :)

[@Zerovanii_]

This looks interesting, I see myself playing a large amount of this when it comes out.

[@dirtywhitellama]

Also, one setting with renegade mage vs mages with various colored robes who graduated / swore oaths / etc is the Wheel of Time.

[@user-jq1mg2mz7o]

heh, a spell named daggerfall. a very relevant reference given the scope of this game

[@warriorfire8103]

The fact a mage just deadlifted a cart with a strength score so high it's an auto success is what got me really completely interested

[@hdplays4105]

I have high hopes for this game. It looks great.

[@sinisterdesign]

Damn, this is *wildly* ambitious. How many years has he been developing this?

[@sinisterdesign]

I looked up their website and found the answer to my own question: a team of 10 has been working on this full-time for *9 years* so far. Absolutely nuts!

[@oliverkampen979]

They haven’t all been working on it for 9 years. Most of that time has been one or two working on it. In the last couple years that have increased to 10 people working on it. Still an impressive amount of dedication!

[@degzee3630]

Had this on my Wishlist since august 2016 and looking forward to its arrival .

[@lilricky2515]

This definitely has a Majormud feel in its mechanics

[@TerminallyNerdy]

This game looks actually fascinating and I am totally slammin it on my Wishlist. Esp considering I still play on the Discworld MUD to this day LOL

[@ezequielblanco8659]

I love that world generation. I would even love it more if it took longer and allowed me to read little more.

[@whitefriarnerd]

This one is definitely going on The List

[@kylelewis4685]

This looks amazingly cool. Adding this to my wish list for sure.

[@volchonokilliR]

Very interesting... Yeah, it's like those old browser games on steroids. Love it

[@diskonekted3724]

Love the Cypress Hill reference at 39:30.

[@Rael_Barclay]

This looks like it is right up my alley. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ThatWeirdDude40]

Omg....this game will sooooooo eat away at my lifetime.

[@Hewardrv8]

I bought more games because of your damn videos then I will ever play lol love your game reviews!

[@dzejrid]

4:40 - okay, that sold me on this game.

[@ShadoShade]

Dang, it's actually going to early access soon? I've been following the game for years, watched its struggles throughout, I'm glad it's still pushing through.