AlterMage

About AlterMage

AlterMage is a first-person action RPG set on a cursed island filled with ancient magic and lethal machines. You play as a novice mage stranded on a fortress-island, using spells, stealth, and combat to uncover its secrets. Developed by AlterTech, it blends vertical platforming with progression-based spell mastery. Released on December 31 2026 for PC and PS5, it’s a Metroidvania where your abilities directly shape how you interact with the world. The focus is on learning through trial and error, jumping higher by jumping more, or making fire spells stronger by using them repeatedly. The core loop mixes exploration with tense encounters against AI that adapts to your tactics.

Gameplay

In AlterMage you’ll spend most sessions backtracking through interconnected hallways and caverns, using new spells to access areas you couldn’t before. Combat is real-time and tactile: you dual-wield a staff and sword, dodge enemy fire, and chain spells for elemental damage. Stealth sections require precise timing, like hiding behind pillars or using invisibility to bypass patrols. Puzzles often involve manipulating the environment with magic, like freezing water to create platforms or using fire to ignite distant switches. The game’s verticality is key; jumping, wall-running, and levitation spells let you navigate tight spaces. Abilities scale with use, jumping repeatedly increases height, while frequent stealth reduces detection risk. Sessions often end with you dying to a boss, then replaying a section with better gear.

What Players Think

AlterMage holds a 4.3/5 average from players, with 38% completing it. The game’s 14-hour average playtime reflects its challenging but rewarding design. Community moods are split between curious (22%) and determined (18%), but frustration (15%) is common, especially around boss fights. Players praise its "progression loops that feel earned" but criticize "repetitive early-game traps." Critics highlight its "elegant ability scaling" but note "underutilized stealth mechanics." Achievement data shows 120 total, with 1875 points, including a 100-point "No Death" run. The game’s 88% completion rate for main quests suggests strong replayability, though 62% of players abandon side content due to time investment.

PlayPile's Take

AlterMage is best for players who enjoy methodical progression and vertical exploration. Its $29.99 price and 14-hour average playtime make it a niche but polished experience. The ability to improve skills through use is satisfying, but combat can feel punishing without clear feedback. With 1875 achievement points and 120 total, it rewards dedication. If you’re patient with its difficulty and appreciate games that let you "level up by doing," it’s worth the price. Skip it if you prefer fast-paced combat or dislike backtracking. The game’s true value lies in its responsive magic system, which rewards experimentation over memorization.

Storyline

Within this labyrinth lie many converging passages built to test your resolve. Menacing machines, traps, and puzzles await those who dare to venture forth. Overcome them and claim new spells and traversal abilities to dominate both the environment and your enemies. Face an onslaught of magic-powered machines that patrol, investigate sights and sounds, raise alarms, use suppressing fire, and give no quarter in their hunt for you. Take them head on with your staff and sword, use stealth to set up ambushes, or utilize acrobatics and alternate paths to avoid them altogether. Along the way your spells and abilities will level up and improve as you train them. Jump higher the more you jump. Use stealth frequently and become harder to detect. Destroy foes with fireballs to make your fire spells even more powerful.