Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements
A fantasy adventure blending Sierra-style gameplay with class-based RPG elements.
Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements is a 2019 adventure game developed by Himalaya Studios for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It blends adventure and role-playing video game elements, set in a fantasy, pseudo-medieval theme reminiscent of classic Sierra titles such as King's Quest and Quest for Glory. The game is notable for its class-based action system, offering four character classes to choose from, and for being funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in early 2013.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements
- Developer
- Himalaya Studios
- Designer
- Daniel Stacey / Chris Warren
- Engine
- Adventure Game Studio
- Released
- January 30, 2019
- Genre
- Adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, macOS
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements began with a newsletter email on September 21, 2009, in which the developers announced they had commenced preliminary development on a new game. They clarified that it would not be a sequel to Al Emmo, but an original project blending adventure and role-playing elements. Plot details were initially kept under wraps, but the developers confirmed that, based on fan feedback, the game would center on a fantasy, pseudo-medieval theme similar to Sierra's King's Quest and Quest for Glory series. Players would have access to a specific class-based set of actions, with a total of four character classes to choose from. A crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter was run in early 2013 with a target of US$65,000.
Reader's Guide
Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements holds significance as a modern homage to the classic Sierra adventure-RPG hybrid, particularly the Quest for Glory series. Its reception was mixed, with an aggregated Metacritic score of 70 indicating average reviews. Game Critics praised the game's story and worldbuilding but found the combat and mazes repetitive. Adventure Gamers celebrated the art, writing, dialog, and voice acting, while criticizing the combat and role-playing game mechanics. GameSpot was similarly positive about the art and story, but criticized the combat and cinematics. PC Invasion described the experience as 'like discovering a lost Sierra title from the VGA generation,' but noted that at its worst it was 'a bit of an uninteresting slog.' The game's legacy lies in its attempt to revive a specific style of point-and-click adventure with RPG elements, appealing to fans of Sierra's golden era while facing criticism for its execution in combat and pacing.
Did You Know?
- Development was announced via a newsletter email on September 21, 2009.
- A Kickstarter campaign for the game ran in early 2013 with a target of US$65,000.
- The game features four character classes for players to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements?
It is a 2019 fantasy adventure-RPG hybrid from Himalaya Studios that channels the spirit of classic Sierra titles like King's Quest and Quest for Glory. The game pairs point-and-click exploration with a class-based role-playing system in a pseudo-medieval setting.
What character classes can players choose in Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements?
The game offers four distinct character classes, each altering how you tackle puzzles and encounters. This class-based action system is one of the title's defining mechanical features and sets it apart from pure adventure games.
How was Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements funded?
Himalaya Studios launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in early 2013 with a goal of US$65,000 to bring the project to life. The game ultimately shipped in 2019, meaning backers waited roughly six years for the finished product.
What platforms can I play Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements on?
The title is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, covering the three major desktop operating systems. There is no console or mobile port listed for the game.
Why is Mage's Initiation: Reign of the Elements notable in the RPG space?
It serves as a modern homage to Sierra's golden-age adventure design while layering on a class-based RPG structure those older titles never had. Its Metacritic score of 70 and long stretch from a 2013 crowdfunding push to a 2019 release made it a talking point among indie and retro-gaming communities.
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