Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 389 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 334 out of 389
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 389
  3. Negative: 27 out of 389
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  1. Kliffoth
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    For sentimental reasons alone, this has to be a 10 out 10 for me... but there are some objective reasons to hand it a perfect score: from the overall setting to the gameplay to the various quests and characters to the music, it features some of the most memorable and lasting experiences you can have with any game. Given the age of this game, this point needs to be made: yes, it looksFor sentimental reasons alone, this has to be a 10 out 10 for me... but there are some objective reasons to hand it a perfect score: from the overall setting to the gameplay to the various quests and characters to the music, it features some of the most memorable and lasting experiences you can have with any game. Given the age of this game, this point needs to be made: yes, it looks dated. For some people graphics matter and if you cannot go beyond the pixelated graphics (even though the awesome art style is not impacted by age), fair enough, but for me, the graphical aspect is always an added bonus to complement the great story and gameplay, so it matters little...

    Either way, I'm somewhat sad that the creative minds behind this didn't have access to all the modern tools and technology, who knows what would've come out of such a marriage?!    … Expand
  2. UrchinChieftain
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    This is my favorite CRPG primarily due to its setting, which unites steampunk and fantasy, 2 of my favorite genres, on top of it it has great quests, an open world, and an exciting system you can tinker with.
  3. Liquid_Cold
    Aug 18, 2023
    10
    Замечательная игра во всех отношениях!
    Первое творение Troika Games, на выходе имела кучу багов, зато на сегодняшний день это всё исправили модами и фиксами.
    Лучше играть в Multiverse edition
  4. Magical_Viktor
    Apr 30, 2023
    10
    Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»
  5. EVIL_UJIN
    Oct 15, 2022
    7
    Игра могла стать шедевром вроде Fallout, но не стала из-за недоработок и отсутствия лоска в мелочах.
    В активе имеем:
    +неплохо продуманный открытый мир с абсолютной свободой (можно от нечего делать поубивать всех персонажей, включая ключевых). + интересные квесты + возможность отыгрывать любую роль, например, ваш песонаж может вообще не качать боевые навыки, а развить убеждение и    Игра могла стать шедевром вроде Fallout, но не стала из-за недоработок и отсутствия лоска в мелочах.
    В активе имеем:
    +неплохо продуманный открытый мир с абсолютной свободой (можно от нечего делать поубивать всех персонажей, включая ключевых).
    + интересные квесты
    + возможность отыгрывать любую роль, например, ваш песонаж может вообще не качать боевые навыки, а развить убеждение и харизму и в ключевых моментах всех убалтывать. Без боев , конечно не обойтись, но для этого есть напарники:)
    + развитую систему крафтинга
    В пассиве имеем:
    -Скучных напарников
    -устаревшую даже для своего времени графику
    - непродуманную боевку
    - неинтуитивное управление
    - баги    … Expand
  6. IllGrim
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    Rest in piece legedary troika games studio. Arcanum is one of the best RPG that I've ever played. Brilliant setting, choices, soundrack is masterpiece. If you consider yourself a fan of RPG you should play this game.
  7. Solaris123
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Best rpg world ever made ,with Planescape and Fallout ,this is real king not boring casual console Witcher 3 for kids and fan Disney.
  8. gracjanski
    Nov 3, 2020
    7
    I play some old games even today, and some of them are timeless and great. Unfortunately not Arcanum: Even in 2001 the graphics was old, today it is too old. Somehow I missed the magic of a game, maybe it is not fun enough? Surely the world hasnt got enough atmosphere to charm me to play more.
    But this game has strong sides: the char creation is even better than in Fallout, because it is    I play some old games even today, and some of them are timeless and great. Unfortunately not Arcanum: Even in 2001 the graphics was old, today it is too old. Somehow I missed the magic of a game, maybe it is not fun enough? Surely the world hasnt got enough atmosphere to charm me to play more.
    But this game has strong sides: the char creation is even better than in Fallout, because it is more complex. The dialog system and how NPCs behaves is great too. I appreciated the adult world and dialogues. In the core the gameplay is a masterpiece, but it alone doesnt make games great. Arcanum is just good in my opinion. I agree to the professional testers: it is something like 8/10, but surely not 9/10 or 10/10, this is another level that belongs to other games.    … Expand
  9. Arronaks3
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    Потрясающая игра и настоящий эталон РПГ-игр.

    В нулевые годы приходилось играть без фанатских патчей, и баги, конечно, мешали. Но общего впечатления не испортили. Жаль, что вторую часть не выпустили (хоть и планировали), а надежд на ремастер/ремейк нет никаких.    Потрясающая игра и настоящий эталон РПГ-игр.

    В нулевые годы приходилось играть без фанатских патчей, и баги, конечно, мешали. Но общего впечатления не испортили.

    Жаль, что вторую часть не выпустили (хоть и планировали), а надежд на ремастер/ремейк нет никаких.
  10. gessie00
    Nov 7, 2019
    10
    Arcanum poses not only gameplay challenges to the player, including a wonderfully distinct choice between technology, magic or pure physical strength (in descending order of difficulty), but asks philosophical questions which challenge prejudices regarding life and death, happiness and suffering, in a way no other game has ever been able to match.

    A downside is that the majority of this    Arcanum poses not only gameplay challenges to the player, including a wonderfully distinct choice between technology, magic or pure physical strength (in descending order of difficulty), but asks philosophical questions which challenge prejudices regarding life and death, happiness and suffering, in a way no other game has ever been able to match.

    A downside is that the majority of this questioning occurs at the very end. So if you do play Arcanum, finish it - else you miss its brilliance. If I've piqued your curiosity but you don't quite have the time to play the game, I recommend searching for Kerghan's final cutscene on Youtube.

    R.I.P. Troika, we miss you. I'm relatively poor but would gladly invest in a reboot - no other game demands one quite like this, and no other game has been so undervalued by the gaming community.

    Rating: Over 9000/10    … Expand
  11. Joewashere
    Aug 27, 2019
    10
    Arcanum has its fair share of flaws. Yet it is high up amongst my favorites, because despite its flaws it manages to hit all the right notes. A high fantasy world in the throes of an industrial revolution with a lot of steampunk thrown in for good measure, accompanied by a great and perfectly fitting soundtrack. Likeable companions, a great villain with a well-reasoned motivation to hisArcanum has its fair share of flaws. Yet it is high up amongst my favorites, because despite its flaws it manages to hit all the right notes. A high fantasy world in the throes of an industrial revolution with a lot of steampunk thrown in for good measure, accompanied by a great and perfectly fitting soundtrack. Likeable companions, a great villain with a well-reasoned motivation to his actions, interesting lore, and a nice twist on the usual Chosen One routine. What Arcanum does best, however, is reactivity. Not only do mages, thieves, inventors, etc., differ in how they play, but also in how the world treats them. Furthermore, almost every choice you make is acknowledged in some way, be it your in-character decisions, stats, abilities, race, gender, companions, or even the things you wear.

    If you can stomach the boring combat and the occasional tedious dungeon crawl, give Arcanum a chance. You will not regret it.    … Expand
  12. Lostframe
    May 21, 2019
    10
    Great game, classic.............................................................
  13. skohl
    Jan 11, 2019
    10
    Maybe I'm lucky, but it runs fine for me. Great role-playing game. The setting is unique, the exploration is rewarding, and you have a lot of freedom.
  14. Georgb
    Mar 3, 2018
    10
    Definitely this game is a masterpiece. Here you can see "steampunk" in it's full beauty(I would say).
    Firstly, this game looked ugly for me but thats because I have never seen steampunk. And I never seen true steampunk. Thats not like Final Fantasy etc. Really ugly and beautiful steampunk.
    Soundtrack was so good that I have downloaded album from it and listen sometimes. For sure, game    Definitely this game is a masterpiece. Here you can see "steampunk" in it's full beauty(I would say).
    Firstly, this game looked ugly for me but thats because I have never seen steampunk. And I never seen true steampunk. Thats not like Final Fantasy etc. Really ugly and beautiful steampunk.
    Soundtrack was so good that I have downloaded album from it and listen sometimes.

    For sure, game is old and have bugs. A lot of bugs. But the storyline and atmosphere covers all of the stuff. Give this game a chance, especially if you are CRPG fan or steampunk fan. A lot of things could be inspired while playing Arcanum.

    Hail to the Troika Games!    … Expand
  15. QweSteR
    Dec 17, 2017
    8
    [8.6] Arcanum самобытен во всей своей красе. Превосходный визуальный и музыкальный стиль оформления предают игре неповторимую аутентичную атмосферу. События игры разворачивается в эпоху противостояния магии и технической революции. В распоряжении игрока знакомый меч, фаэрболл и паровая броня с дробовиком. Игрок путешествует в составе классической партии, решает нетривиальные поручения и[8.6] Arcanum самобытен во всей своей красе. Превосходный визуальный и музыкальный стиль оформления предают игре неповторимую аутентичную атмосферу. События игры разворачивается в эпоху противостояния магии и технической революции. В распоряжении игрока знакомый меч, фаэрболл и паровая броня с дробовиком. Игрок путешествует в составе классической партии, решает нетривиальные поручения и мастерит хитроумные приборы. Парадоксально, но главные достоинства игры являются её недостатками. Например. Система крафта хромает на обе ноги, боевая система плохо сбалансирована, развитие персонажа сильно ограничено максимальным уровнем. Arcanum занимает достойное место среди Fallout, Baldur's Gate и Planescape: Torment. Arcanum стал первой игрой Troika Games, продлив золотую эпоху изометрических CRPG на годы вперёд.… Expand
  16. Eduardomm1
    Nov 20, 2017
    8
    this is the greatest RPG ever made
    it has the best soundtrack
    one of the most unique settings (Tolkien + industrial revolution)
    the voice acting is great
    aaaaaaaaaaa
    i loved it
  17. night4
    Mar 24, 2017
    8
    This is a tough one to score. It's got some combat annoyances but you can choose between real-time and turn-based. It's not graphically amazing, but the soundtrack and voice acting are pretty incredible. The technology-meets fantasy world it's in feels weird at first, but gives you the freedom to pursue either, both, or neither.

    What's kept it in my yearly rotation is it's uniqueness    This is a tough one to score. It's got some combat annoyances but you can choose between real-time and turn-based. It's not graphically amazing, but the soundtrack and voice acting are pretty incredible. The technology-meets fantasy world it's in feels weird at first, but gives you the freedom to pursue either, both, or neither.

    What's kept it in my yearly rotation is it's uniqueness and story. There's nothing else like it and I'm not sure there ever will be.    … Expand
  18. Thazari
    Dec 27, 2016
    9
    Amazing RPG with a crazily good story and massive open world. While the story is more or less linear, there are lots of side quests and you're free to roam around most of the world. There are many different characters to accompany you, some of which have their own story and voice acting. The stat/skill system is deep and really influences the outcome of conversations and the story, asAmazing RPG with a crazily good story and massive open world. While the story is more or less linear, there are lots of side quests and you're free to roam around most of the world. There are many different characters to accompany you, some of which have their own story and voice acting. The stat/skill system is deep and really influences the outcome of conversations and the story, as characters may respond differently or quest resolve in different ways based on which skills you chose to unlock. Throughout it all is the duality between technology and magic, but there's more subtle things going on as well. And the overall plot is original and surprising. The game lasts very long too, you probably need at least 100 hours to get through it.

    Graphics are a bit grim though and the combat is quirky and better played in turn based mode as it is way too fast and buggy otherwise.    … Expand
  19. Leouch
    Jul 24, 2016
    10
    Well... it is one of best if not THE BEST 2D RPG I have ever played. Many side quests, multiple ways of achieving goal, mod support(not many of them thought :( )... Game I play since 2002 :)
  20. DickTracy
    May 9, 2016
    10
    Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura was astoundingly buggy when it came out, and many of its battles were as laughably imbalanced as its title. Patches and mods have alleviated some of that pain over the years, but even then they weren't powerful enough to hide what a great mix of fantasy and steampunkery thrived under its surface. If you can’t find something to love about this game,Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura was astoundingly buggy when it came out, and many of its battles were as laughably imbalanced as its title. Patches and mods have alleviated some of that pain over the years, but even then they weren't powerful enough to hide what a great mix of fantasy and steampunkery thrived under its surface. If you can’t find something to love about this game, dump your computer in the garbage right now.

    Arcanum was dark 'n' gritty before some such tendencies became all the rage, and its character creator allowed players to create everything from gnome gamblers who brandish self-explanatory Tesla-guns to outcast orcs lugging along rusty maces. Toss in non-linear progression and multiple solutions for quests, and you've got a winner that holds up 15 years later. With all its flaws this is a true classic.    … Expand
  21. Voyou
    Mar 12, 2016
    3
    I'm very surprised by the high score here.

    Apart from a rich character creation process and the use of a steampunk world, which was quite fresh at the time, Arcanum has nothing to pull me into playing. A bad interface, graphics not only lame and bland but more importantly tiny, unclear and unreadable, unpleasant movements completed with a pathetic scrolling, and worst of all the most    I'm very surprised by the high score here.

    Apart from a rich character creation process and the use of a steampunk world, which was quite fresh at the time, Arcanum has nothing to pull me into playing.

    A bad interface, graphics not only lame and bland but more importantly tiny, unclear and unreadable, unpleasant movements completed with a pathetic scrolling, and worst of all the most dreadful combat ever seen in any RPG. Not to mention bugs, broken quests and tutti quanti.

    An absolute disappointment that starts right after character creation.    … Expand
  22. FunkyDreamer
    Dec 24, 2015
    10
    A Game a little bit buggy, but this is excellent DnD style RPG game. Very addictive and interesting.
    You can easily compare it to Fallout 2 or Baldurs Gate 1-2.
    Take a the latest patches and enjoy.
  23. CloudOJD
    Dec 5, 2015
    10
    Right up there next to Planescape: Torment, this game is my favorite game of all time. Its depth and flexibility is stunning, and the amazing attention to detail and incredible interactivity only resonates the fact that it was crafted with much love and care. If there was one game where the character you create will heavily influence and dramatically alter how the game plays out, it isRight up there next to Planescape: Torment, this game is my favorite game of all time. Its depth and flexibility is stunning, and the amazing attention to detail and incredible interactivity only resonates the fact that it was crafted with much love and care. If there was one game where the character you create will heavily influence and dramatically alter how the game plays out, it is this one. No matter how many playthroughs you have, you'll always find something new. Beautiful setting and an equally beautiful soundtrack.… Expand
  24. frankielee
    Apr 24, 2015
    10
    f only mage class was a little more balanced compared to mechanical one. still one of the best rpgs out there. i just finished it again after all these years and was still impressed about the quality of this game.
  25. prawda
    Apr 12, 2015
    10
    To be honest the graphic sucks in a technical way, but the style is awesome. Steampunk combined with "Magick" looks surprisingly consistent. Also the fighting sucks. Furthermore there are some bugs and a lot of graphic glitches. And last but not least the entry to this game is not easy. There is no tutorial, the game just starts straight away and you have no clue what character build mightTo be honest the graphic sucks in a technical way, but the style is awesome. Steampunk combined with "Magick" looks surprisingly consistent. Also the fighting sucks. Furthermore there are some bugs and a lot of graphic glitches. And last but not least the entry to this game is not easy. There is no tutorial, the game just starts straight away and you have no clue what character build might work, where you have to go or what decisions might be devastating.
    All these drawbacks can possibly make a game completely worthless. But not for arcanum, especially the last thing does not matter at all, it is even a good concept. Even though you don't know what to do, the game always offers another option of progressing. You can kill very important NPCs, which might break a game like this, but in Arcanum the developers have built in this possibility. Therefore the degree of non-linearity in this game is outstanding. There are a few other games, which also offer you such a tremendous amount of freedom, but there is no single game, where the story is being developed regarding your decisions and way of playing, also there is no game where the philosophical concept of the game is interwoven so cleverly with the story as well as the game mechanics. Other outstanding games of this genre are hard to transfer to a different medium like a book or a movie, but for Arcanum this is just not possible. The story/philosophy/plot can only work if the receiver of the medium is able to interact with the game. Therefore Arcanum makes use of the possibilites of computer games and involves the player so deep into the game world, that this game is a solid 10/10. You will not get this kind of experience from any other game. I find this perfection in this regard to be suffcient to overcome the flaws and still rate this game as high as possible.
    The degree of non-linearity is like Jagged Alliance 2, the love and detail of quests is like Baldurs Gate, the quality of the NPCs is better than JA2 (which has really funny NPCs or neurotic ones, but they are not as deep as in Arcanum), the atmosphere outperforms Fallout, the freedom of character design might be comparable to Baldurs Gate or the like at first glance, but after you realize what seemingly unimportant details still have an effect in the game, you are convinced that this game outperforms the other genre-defining games again. And finally the story itself outperforms even good books, there are funny analogies to the real world, satirical references regarding religion, capitalism, politics, human flaws and much more. But again these are just details. What makes the story outstanding is, that you are never force to hate or love a specific character in the game. It is your decision, the story just shows you, why someone does something, what impact it had and what his/her motivations are. You decide, if you want to support or stop someone. You can kill every single NPC, except one, in the whole game and finish it, but you can also finish it without killing any NPC. And last but not least, the ending of the story is a blast. Once you enter the last part of the game, there will be jaw-dropping-ception.    … Expand
  26. BuskeKiggeren
    Jan 31, 2014
    10
    This is one of the best RPG games i played in my time. Don't listen to the critics about the multiplayer part not working, it works fine. Just sad you can't play the singleplayer map online. Those hating scores is just people to slow minded to understand game, so don't let it interfere with you others trying it, you haven't truly been living without.
  27. waso
    Jan 24, 2014
    9
    This game is quite possibly my favorite game, EVER! I wish there were more like it. I wish there was a little more with character creation but that's so minor compared to the fantastic gameplay, puzzles and writing.
  28. PRoxy_oQ
    Nov 22, 2013
    10
    This is THE game for me yeah u can say it has no graphics (for 2013) or it is overly complex but this game is among best RPGs ever, it has great story line whit so many twists, insane amount of options how to build character, companions which can be changed in way better than Skyrim 10 years later does, it has true world map that u could not see even in Dragon age (and it has way moreThis is THE game for me yeah u can say it has no graphics (for 2013) or it is overly complex but this game is among best RPGs ever, it has great story line whit so many twists, insane amount of options how to build character, companions which can be changed in way better than Skyrim 10 years later does, it has true world map that u could not see even in Dragon age (and it has way more locations), It has tons of spells, weapons etc. It still has the best way of building your character. I've made about 10 playthroughs and i loved it every time, combat benefits so much from character customization and it gives it so much depth, were u to play mage, assassin warrior, dps tank, healer, conjurer, trap based fighter, gunner..etc. i will not be disappointed. Actually games like this shows how much RPGs lack quality this days, and it explains that Diablo 3 is not an RPG at all !
    All about it is great,was and will be. I want a remake or at least a sequel :3
    10/10    … Expand
  29. Profile
    Aug 27, 2013
    9
    I remember dungeons were too long, and some bugs happened, and the ending was nearly missing... Still it's my favourite PC RPG. I like its world of Magic and Technology. I like making choices. I like being able to make things in game.
  30. slippery
    Aug 8, 2013
    10
    This is by far one of THE best RPG games I've ever played. The steampunk mix of technology and magic is wonderful. The guns are bit underpowered, but the game is fun.

    The dialog is fun. The environments are beautiful, varied and interesting. There are a LOT of interesting people to meet and talk to. There are SO many quests and adventures. The story is surprising and delightful.    This is by far one of THE best RPG games I've ever played. The steampunk mix of technology and magic is wonderful. The guns are bit underpowered, but the game is fun.

    The dialog is fun. The environments are beautiful, varied and interesting. There are a LOT of interesting people to meet and talk to. There are SO many quests and adventures.

    The story is surprising and delightful.

    The choices I make in the game have consequences.

    The only bad thing I can say about the game is that they didn't finish all the endings. Without the right mods, you can't naturally get some of the "bad" endings. There is also one quest that ends up being unsolvable. Some people actually LIKE that you can't do anything about it. Some people hate it. It has artistic merit, even if it does sting a bit to be unable to right that particular wrong.

    But the game is so detailed and there is SO much to see, do and discover that I can easily forgive a lot of faults in this game.

    I love how the character I choose completely changes the encounters. Race and gender have real effects on the people I meet.

    I love this game!    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best PC Game of 2001
7
#7 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
21
#21 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Game Over Online
    80
    I thought the gameplay was good enough to make up for the deficient engine, and I found Arcanum to be a worthy successor to the Fallout series.
    Read full review
  2. Armchair Empire
    65
    Between the somewhat overly complicated nature of the game and the slow, dull battles there just wasn't a lot to get excited about in the game.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gamer
    90
    If you can’t find something to love about this game, dump your computer in the garbage right now. Arcanum epitomizes what people like you and me love most about PC gaming.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »