Avencast: Rise of the Mage

Game Details

• Game Name: Avencast: Rise of the Mage
• Developer: ClockStone
• Initial Release Date: NA: October 30, 2007, PAL: November 16, 2007
• Genre: Action Role-Playing
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows

What is Avencast: Rise of the Mage?

Avencast: Rise of the Mage is an action role-playing game developed by ClockStone and published by Lighthouse Interactive, exclusively for Microsoft Windows. It combines elements of beat ’em ups with traditional role-playing mechanics, offering a unique spellcasting system that involves rapid combination of mouse and keyboard inputs. The game stands out for its incorporation of adventure game elements, like puzzle-solving and exploration.

Gameplay Overview

The gameplay of Avencast revolves around defeating monsters to gain experience and loot. Players can use their experience points to enhance their character’s stats or learn new spells. The game features over 50 spells and 150 unique items, creating a rich and varied gameplay experience. The inclusion of riddles and puzzles in quests adds depth to the game, encouraging players to engage with the game world more interactively.

Character Development and Magic

Players can enhance their character’s abilities in health, mana, Soul Magic, and Blood Magic. The game offers a robust spell system with three distinct trees: Soul Magic, Blood Magic, and Summoning. Each tree offers unique spells and abilities, allowing players to tailor their gameplay style. The effective use of these spells is crucial in combat, especially in the game’s challenging boss fights.

Control and Combat Mechanics

Avencast allows players to choose between two spellcasting interfaces: rapid key-mouse combinations or shortcut keys. This flexibility caters to different player preferences, making the game accessible to a wide range of gamers. The game also features different camera control methods, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Game Development Background

Developed initially as a hobby project, Avencast represents ClockStone’s first foray into game development. The game took about four years to complete with a small team. Post-release, ClockStone provided development tools for fans to modify game content, demonstrating a commitment to their gaming community.

Verdict

Rating: 7/10

Avencast: Rise of the Mage offers a unique blend of action and role-playing elements with an innovative spellcasting system. The game’s rich spell mechanics, combined with engaging quests and puzzles, make it a noteworthy addition to the action RPG genre. However, the game’s niche appeal and the learning curve of its control system might not suit all players. Hence, it receives a solid 7 out of 10.