Arcanum

[fiend!]

Arcanum

I was thinking of buying this game. If anyone has played it and could compare it to Diablo or maybe something similar like Neverwinter or Dungeon Siege [blech] maybe you could help me make the decision. I didn't play Diablo much but I really like Neverwinter Nights and this game looks pretty darn decent.

 

[piff]

When I bought Arcanum, it was $55. It was worth every penny. This game is a blast. The only problems are that combat can get very easy in the end of the game and that theives can blow through the game with ease. While reply value looks non-existant, there are so many character types you can try that it is playable for one or two more gos after you beat it the first time. The story is the single best story I've seen in a game. Music and sounds get annoying after 40 or so hours. Don't bother with the multiplyer...the game is too unknown to find anyone to play with, and the multiply maps aren't worth the time.

My rankings (out of 10, ten being the best):
Playability: 9 - running can be a pain as the best way is to click move with the mouse and scroll the screen at the same time wit hthe arrows. A very complicated game, but also an very indepth manual.

Story: 11 - Simply astounding. Better than many books I've read.

Sounds: 7 - Cool early on, but listening to it the whole time would be hellish.

Replay: 8 - Some missions are only availible to certain characters with certain skill levels, and there are MANY different character options.

Intangibles: 10 - Cool inventory, cool menu system, cool dialogs. Characters are given a race and background at the beginning, after that, there is nothing your character cannot do. The only classes you can get are the ones you give yourself, as any character can become a master in any skill. All of this ranks a 9...but there's one more factor...the instruction manual. It is actually entertaining. It is written as a guide to a newcomer of how to function in the lands of Arcanum. There is everything from teaching how to use maps to a recipe in the back, all the while being perfect in explaining how to play. The manual pushes it up to a 10.

Overall: 10 - This game is good for many hours of play, and you will not regret buying it.

For more info: www.terra-arcanum.com I think that site is still up (I beat it two years ago...don't really remember the site much)

EDIT: I'm getting off, but you can PM me specific questions...I know this game insdie and out from palying it too much.

 

[fiend!]

I'll be PMing you as I begin playing this game over the weekend. Thanks for makin the offer for further advice.

 

[winterheart]

piff is right about pretty much everything, this game is awesome. I've been playing for a while now and i prefer to think of it as Diablo and Morrowind concepts were combined. On one hand you've got the aerial view and normal real-time combat if you want that(there is also turn-based combat if you prefer playing with it), on the other hand you've got a great story with excellent character development and a vast number of side quests(most with more than one solution each). So in other words, if you liked Diablo and Morrowind, you'll love this game. Enjoy!

 

[AeroJonesy]

Is this something one might find in the bargain bin? I'm always up for a good game. Then again, I don't really have time to play games

 

[Kawaii]

It's a very, very good game. There are many different character combinations possible, allowing for very good replayability. Sadly, the game is rather easy, but it's still a very good game. I bought my copy for ~$10 so sure, you might find it in the bargain bin.

 

[Drosselmeier]

It was a bit buggy when I played it but that´s probably been fixed since then. I liked it. The premise is really cool.

 

[fiend!]

Just leafing through the manual...WOW! It looks so awesome, mixing magic and technology in a game makes it way more interesting. Character options also look a lot more fun. Wonder if you can multiclass..?

 

[Drosselmeier]

If I remember correctly, there are no classes. You put your points where you want them. It´s a bit like Fallout in regards to char generation. Really open... you can build just about any char you can think of.

Edit: I played some sort of swordfighting mage guy when I completed it and then I played about one third with a gnome bombtosser/sneak.

 

[chewie837]

The game plays much more like Fallout than Diablo, probably due to the fact that Troika games was founded by an ex-Black Isle member. Freedom to help or hurt whoever you like and complete quests in many different ways add to the gameplay.

My favorite char was the Dwarven gunsmith/gunslinger. Make myself a huge gun and use it well. The Ogre brawler was good fun as well.

 

[TonoTheHero]

I found the battle interface please-put-me-out-of-my-misery bad, so bad that i couldn't bring myself to play the game. The same goes for all my friends that tried it. You guys must be playing an other arcanum or somethin' :grrr:

 

[piff]

I wanted the whole experience for my first character, so I took a female half-elf, with the Mental spell tree, electrical technology, theiving skills, and the ability to fight melee.

I have many character building hints if you want them, because doing some things is just plain bad. For example, I took only electrical tech. That was a mistake. Never take just one tech tree. Take at least two. I have other tips if you want them.

 

[rrrray]

I got this a few months ago ($20 at www.gogamer.com), but only started really playing it last week. Started a strong melee character to get a feel for the game, then restarted with a very persuasive, gun-toting human. Anything words can't fix, her gun will.

I think this game will keep me happy until the end, and I definitely see replay value just in trying out other character builds. Think of it as Fallout 1 & 2, with a different setting.

It got very good reviews at www.metacritic.com.