Bring a corrupted island back to life in Child of the Arcane, a fantasy adventure where the creatures you fight may be the very ones you save.

Your boat arrives in a village of sun-warmed stone and calm atmosphere, nestled above a brilliant blue sea. It seems an unlikely place to find dark magic. But the villagers are falling ill, once-peaceful creatures have become dangerous, and the paths beyond the village no longer feel safe. So much so, that Archmage Elio has a protection spell over the village, to keep the dark out.

Here you are: a young mage, not a seasoned hero. You have the power to help, but not the control and the skills. Understanding what's happening here will take more than a talent for magic.

Leave something better behind

Channel blue Arcane Energy through your hands and confront the creatures roaming the island. Beneath their corruption, something of their old nature survives. Break the darkness's hold and you can restore them, turning a hostile encounter into another small piece of the island brought back to life.

As you uncover and cleanse the sources of corruption, that change spreads into the landscape. Darkened places recover, peaceful magical creatures return, and familiar paths become somewhere worth revisiting simply to see how far you've come.

Find your place in the village

The island's inhabitants have more to offer than a reward for your troubles. Spend time with the alchemist and learn to turn local ingredients into potions. Follow the retired Archmage Elio's research into the island's past, or pick up a lead while talking to the innkeeper. What begins as a favour for a neighbour can draw you closer to the source of the trouble.

Between helping the villagers and exploring beyond their homes, you'll develop your magic and find the knowledge, potions and enchanted items to take on dangers that once sent you running.

Brave the Dark Realm

Beyond the village's warmth lies a different version of the island: the same coastline and familiar pathways, deserted and swallowed by deep purple haze. This is the Dark Realm, where dark magic holds sway and every expedition is a search against the clock.

There are no markers guiding you to its hidden objectives. You'll need to investigate the landscape yourself, finding corrupted anchors, trapped magical creatures and other encounters while the instability steadily rises and your own power fades. The longer you stay, the more dangerous the realm becomes. That unexplored path might hold exactly what you came for, but whether you'll survive...?

Sometimes it's better to leave, so you can return stronger, better prepared and with a clearer idea of where to look next. In other words: the island you know by daylight may still have plenty to hide in the dark.