Archmage Rises
Early access since Apr 2023
Experience the freedom normally only found in a tabletop RPG. Empowered with magic, you will create your own story, and experience real consequences from the decisions you make. Will you be the world’s savior... or its destroyer? The choice is yours.
69% positive · 436 reviews
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Where to buy
Steam $14.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
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Evaluation
Archmage Rises is an Early Access RPG from solo developer Defiance Game Studio that remains explicitly unfinished, with the store description clearly stating many features are still to be released.
The developer has maintained a sustained pattern of major content updates since launch: the Rivals Combat system shipped in May 2024, and a large Hex Events and Resources system shipped in December 2025. The developer's financial difficulties documented through late 2024 have been resolved — they turned down consulting work in January 2026 to focus full-time on the game, and have been actively building and posting updates ever since.
The most significant recent development is the Threat System — a large new feature representing roughly six months of full-time work — which entered public beta on June 22, 2026. The developer collected structured playback feedback from community testers and, as of August 3, 2026, was working through an estimated three weeks of design refinements with a target of releasing a full public release candidate by end of August 2026. This is the most recent developer communication, confirming active, ongoing development work as of early August 2026.
No 1.0 launch date has been announced. The developer's own roadmap references additional planned threat types (including a Spider Queen scenario) and systems like Dynamic Quests, indicating substantial content still ahead.
Evidence
Developer working through approximately three weeks of design and balance refinements to the Threat System based on beta tester feedback, targeting a public release candidate by end of August 2026.
Threat System — a major new feature representing roughly six months of full-time development — entered internal testing. Describes plans to expand threat types beyond the initial Goblin Warlord, including a Spider Queen scenario.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Defiance Game Studio
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
DISCLAIMER: This game is currently in active development with many new features still to be released. We are highly dedicated to the continued development of this game and release new content and features regularly. Please read the Early Access FAQs and our development roadmap below for more info before purchasing.
Born with magic in your bones, use your wits and power to navigate a simulated fantasy world - dynamic, alive, and increasingly dangerous. Grow in might as a mage in an open-world RPG inspired by Dragonlance, full of kingdoms that will rise and fall, economies that can boom or bust, and monstrous creatures that can overwhelm the land if left unchecked.
Immerse yourself in a player-driven story that evolves based on your decisions. Like in pen and paper games, every choice is yours and every choice can change the world. Will you earn the trust of the Conclave only to betray them later? Will you choose a life of crime, stealing from merchants and living on the run? Will you build friendships and rivalries with your companions from mage school? Will you forego a life of magic to pursue the simple existence of a trader? Or will you strive to ascend the heights of power, for good or ill?
The dynamic and living land of Vaelun reacts to your deeds, giving you the unique opportunity to shape the story and the world around you. Every choice you make can have real and far-reaching consequences for all those who dwell in this world. Pursue power and prominence, eliminate monstrous threats, or spend your days harvesting resources. Serve and protect, or dominate and destroy. Will you become the world's deliverer, or its destroyer? The decision is yours.
Create a brand new, procedurally-generated world with its own history, inhabitants, towns, dungeons, monsters, and more. Then explore that world and make it your own as it responds to your actions and decisions. Every life you live as a mage is a unique and personalized experience.
Born with magic in your bones, use your wits and power to navigate a simulated fantasy world - dynamic, alive, and increasingly dangerous. Grow in might as a mage in an open-world RPG inspired by Dragonlance, full of kingdoms that will rise and fall, economies that can boom or bust, and monstrous creatures that can overwhelm the land if left unchecked.
Immerse yourself in a player-driven story that evolves based on your decisions. Like in pen and paper games, every choice is yours and every choice can change the world. Will you earn the trust of the Conclave only to betray them later? Will you choose a life of crime, stealing from merchants and living on the run? Will you build friendships and rivalries with your companions from mage school? Will you forego a life of magic to pursue the simple existence of a trader? Or will you strive to ascend the heights of power, for good or ill?
The dynamic and living land of Vaelun reacts to your deeds, giving you the unique opportunity to shape the story and the world around you. Every choice you make can have real and far-reaching consequences for all those who dwell in this world. Pursue power and prominence, eliminate monstrous threats, or spend your days harvesting resources. Serve and protect, or dominate and destroy. Will you become the world's deliverer, or its destroyer? The decision is yours.
Create a brand new, procedurally-generated world with its own history, inhabitants, towns, dungeons, monsters, and more. Then explore that world and make it your own as it responds to your actions and decisions. Every life you live as a mage is a unique and personalized experience.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Aug 19, 2026
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