Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

I myself is one of those who loves it. If you are considering buying this game, remember it's not perfect. And to make it run without the lag, download the the latest unoficial patch 2.0.2

I was really excited to play this. I think the industrialization of a magical world is a great idea. I really enjoyed creating my character, and the story captivated me as I started to play. However, the game is buggy and the combat is laughable. Your party members are more of a liability than an asset. I read reviews that had said similar things, and I thought, "I'm more interested in the story than the combat." Unfortunately, I was so turned off by the combat that I eventually stopped playing. It's a shame.

There are clearly a number of things wrong with this game, the animation style, the game balance, the combat, unless you cheat technology builds are often non-viable, AND YET this game is a Brilliant Masterpiece nonetheless. There are very few games that can compare to it in terms of story, setting, choices, well written engaging dialogue, clever social satire, intriguing areas to explore, and a sense of consequences for your choices. The closest thing I can compare this to is Fallout 2, if you liked Fallout 2 this is that but in a steampunk fantasy setting.

It has been... about 15 years ago that I first played this game. Still got a map and a lore book that was included in a set when it was released in my country for the first time. First a word, or few, of a warning. This is one of this game that when You start playing it You will either love it or utterly hate it... and I felt in love. This is not a history about technology and magic. This is a mystery story that happens to be situated in a world of technology and magic. And the mysteries that are hidden, that you can unravel as You journey throughout this world, are many and amazing. The complexity of the lore that is scattered and available to You make it one of the best examples of how such games should be made. If you are not the kind that likes to read book in games... by not reading it You are missing about half of the whole picture. It is a crime not to read, really. I walked in the world of Arcanum a few times as different characters. Every class has it's advantages, and every profession (and race) gives you different results in encounters in that world. I wasn't really fond of magical class at the time, although being a mage is necessary for completing a nasty and interesting ritual at one encounter. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy playing an elf mage (best race for magic), but an elf engineer is a bit more challenging way to play, and a little more fun, by my account. And yes, I played other races then elf. Try playing ork (halfork?), most shunned race in that world. Arcanum is a... steampunk word indeed, and in such a world a profession that can engineer things can bring you more fun then any other. Whats more it is a treasure trove for... those that like to rummage through the trash bins. Here others waste is you treasures. You want to complete your new pistol by lack a revolving chamber? Try checking a trash-bin close to the nearest newspaper boy. You might get lucky. And if You read the lore... there is only one truth: History likes to repeat itself.

I first played Arcanum some 6 years after it was release, and even then I was aamzed by the complexity of the world and the amazing story. The flaws of the game - and there definitely are some, the biggest being the huge imbalance between classes (magician is overpowered, technician is underpowered) - are so decisively outweight by its qualities, I suspect I'd forgive the game pretty much anything, just to be able to follow the story (or should I say stories - many sidequest are actually elaborate adventures for themselves - I'will never forget quests like "Gnome Conspiracy", or the quests involving your companions, whose fates might actually be intertwined) and experience the joy of exploring the amazing world.