Near-Mage

Near-Mage is a narrative-driven adventure game with light role-playing elements set in a modern-day yet magick-infused Transylvania. Players step into the role of Illy Vraja, a young woman invited by her great-aunt Domnica to study at the Transylvanian Institute for Magick, where she discovers her heritage as a "Near-Mage". The story follows Illy's summer of self-discovery as she learns to harness elemental magick, build relationships, and uncover hidden mysteries between the real town of Sighișoara and the secret, mystical city of Rakus.

The game combines traditional point-and-click mechanics with direct movement controls, allowing players to explore freely across environments. Gameplay revolves around completing narrative quests, attending magickal classes, and crafting spells by combining elemental "near-spells" such as water, fire, soul, or wind. Each crafted spell can influence characters and events in different ways, leading to multiple narrative outcomes. Spells can be used to solve environmental challenges, alter story paths, or simply affect how other characters perceive Illy.

Quests take place across three interconnected hubs: the Institute, Sighișoara, and Rakus. They are each filled with hand-painted 2D backgrounds and fully voiced characters. Players can customize Illy's appearance with a wide range of outfits and hairstyles, interact with diverse townsfolk and students, and shape the story through dialogue choices that reflect her personality and moral stance.

Near-Mage emphasizes story, atmosphere, and choice over traditional puzzle-solving. Its episodic structure presents self-contained tasks that gradually build toward a larger narrative involving stolen magickal artifacts and a looming supernatural threat.