Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

Fantastic story line and writing. The world concept was well implemented. The game has so much replay value, as there are hundreds of different ways to play. The trio of legendary game makers over at Troika really paid attention to detail when they made this masterpiece. They really don't make games like this. Unlike most RPGS all the characters are more than 2d. There's a real depth to any decision you make. You decide how the story progresses. There's no simple good or evil. Nothing is stereotypical, and the world feels real. The music is amazing. The character development works perfectly, there are so many options and rewards. There are few games that resemble Arcanum. Fallout 1, Fallout 2 & Starcontrol 2 come to mind

Not only is this game everything the other reviewers say, but it's got whole dialogue trees for some things you wouldn't expect. If you start your character out with low intelligence, the entire game is shaped around that with new options and responses. I am taking off a star on purpose from this otherwise awesome game, because technology has (or had) some serious issues - including end-game enemies literally dodging bullets constantly. If you do play, go magic. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Amazingly flexible character skill creation and advancement, an engaging and enjoyable world with perfect mood music. A wide range of spells, formulae, designs and schematics, plus a healthy list of magick and superior tech loot, a combat system reminiscent of Fallout (praise be it's name above all others). My only complaints are the lack of females, and a few key-binding complaints. nothing major to note. Heck, fallout didn't even have a character portrait for your toon, lol. Arcanum was a game I borrowed from a friend for only a few days. Simply put, I was blown away. That was years ago and I yearned to find a copy all these years. Another friend recently told me about GOG, and that Arcanum was only $6 US, OMggg... well you get the picture. Do yourself a favor and buy this, right now. If you loved Fallout 1, if you love magick AND guns, if you love playing good, evil, or anything in between, oh it's endless... *growl* just buy it...

Great writing, a system where you can play many different typs of characters even though there is quite a bit of imbalance, amazingly nonlinear. An interesting setting of what it would be like the typical fantasy setting to have an industrial revolution which makes it even more fun. What's the problem? The game is almost too big. Walking around Tarant (the largest city in the game) when new to the game trying to explore is very daunting and yet the graphics get repetition doing it and it is easy to get lost even with the map. I much prefer 2D isometric games on the scale of Planescape: Torment and Fallout 2. Arcanum also has some game balancing issues but with the vastness of choices this is to be expected.

Interesting Story line and always leaves you curious. Always something to play through for again. Plenty of side quests and an acceptable ending. Does work on Ubuntu+Wine