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. FeyshanW.
    Dec 26, 2009
    10
    Such a shame they don't seem to make games like this one anymore. It has the required complexity and plethora of choices for each presented problem, that aren't merely fake choices, as presented in titles like the failure that was DA:O. Although this kind of games doesn't suit the majority of players that want simpler games, the kind that were once most commonly found in Such a shame they don't seem to make games like this one anymore. It has the required complexity and plethora of choices for each presented problem, that aren't merely fake choices, as presented in titles like the failure that was DA:O. Although this kind of games doesn't suit the majority of players that want simpler games, the kind that were once most commonly found in arcades/console games, but nowadays have taken over even the pc gaming industry. With everything being multi platform and in extreme dumbed down.… Expand
  2. Stylus
    Mar 19, 2012
    8
    This game is ugly (not because its graphics aren't cutting edge - it just looks bad), buggy, terribly balanced and in general gives off the impression of being rushed. Those rather large flaws aside it's an excellent RPG with a solid story, some interesting characters, a world with plenty of things to discover and one of the best character creation systems I've ever used in a CRPG. One ofThis game is ugly (not because its graphics aren't cutting edge - it just looks bad), buggy, terribly balanced and in general gives off the impression of being rushed. Those rather large flaws aside it's an excellent RPG with a solid story, some interesting characters, a world with plenty of things to discover and one of the best character creation systems I've ever used in a CRPG. One of Troika's great unfinished masterpieces. Three stars, four with the unofficial patch.… Expand
  3. AndrewN
    Nov 15, 2008
    10
    One of the four best RPG's I've ever played. It's up there with Planescape Torment and Fallout 1&2. Admittedly the game is flawed and can take quite a while to get into, but there are very few games which copy this level of non-linearity in story and have such a unique atmosphere. Out of Torment and the Fallouts, this game is also probably the most replayable - every game One of the four best RPG's I've ever played. It's up there with Planescape Torment and Fallout 1&2. Admittedly the game is flawed and can take quite a while to get into, but there are very few games which copy this level of non-linearity in story and have such a unique atmosphere. Out of Torment and the Fallouts, this game is also probably the most replayable - every game will be different and satisfying, with some very different endings. Also, check out the unofficial patch, it fixes most of the issues in the game.… Expand
  4. Adanedhil
    Mar 11, 2011
    9
    One of the best role-playing games in the world with Planescape, Fallout I/II and Baldur's Gate. Dialogues, many variants of playing, good story. Perfect for beggining of XXI century.
  5. Tanolen
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    One of the best RPGs I have ever played, the setting is great, the writing is good, and the freedom is amazing. If you like Fallout 1/2 then this game is for you.
  6. FrostyL.
    Aug 7, 2004
    9
    Yer single player is wicked but multiplayer stinks you carnt get a worse multiplayer game!!! but the single player is highly addictive.
  7. davengo
    May 26, 2011
    9
    Although it initially got mixed reviews upon its release, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - a fantasy/steampunk roleplaying game made by many of same people who made Fallout 1 and 2 - has stood the time and is considered by some to be one of the all-time great computer RPGs. And there is plenty of justification for such a claim: it is a very deep RPG, with a great story,Although it initially got mixed reviews upon its release, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - a fantasy/steampunk roleplaying game made by many of same people who made Fallout 1 and 2 - has stood the time and is considered by some to be one of the all-time great computer RPGs. And there is plenty of justification for such a claim: it is a very deep RPG, with a great story, narrative, atmosphere, and rich characters set in one of most detailed and immersive game worlds in the history of computer RPGs. Unfortunately, the depth and detail does not extend to the combat system, which is too simplistic and boring. But still, fans of complex, nonlinear computer roleplaying games, games that are all too rare these days, ought to check Arcanum out, if they haven't already.… Expand
  8. TheXand
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Amazing game, the setting is brilliant. Steampunk, with a focus on the conflict between magic and technology each of which negatively affects the other and bring their opwn bonuses. Surprisingly dark in places, with less intelligent but physically stronger races like the orcs being dragooned into manual labour for below minimum wage jobs in factories, and prejudice against magic users inAmazing game, the setting is brilliant. Steampunk, with a focus on the conflict between magic and technology each of which negatively affects the other and bring their opwn bonuses. Surprisingly dark in places, with less intelligent but physically stronger races like the orcs being dragooned into manual labour for below minimum wage jobs in factories, and prejudice against magic users in centres of technology for example wizards being made to sit in second class seats at the back of trains.… Expand
  9. imprimus
    Jul 22, 2012
    10
    Bugs, yes. Dated graphics (even for the time), yes. Amazing story, environments, setting, characters, dialogue, and gameplay... double yes. Easily on my top 5 games of all time, the RPG elements and story in this game are second to none. There are so many little things to do, nooks and crannies to explore, and secrets to find, you can spend a hundred hours in game and not findBugs, yes. Dated graphics (even for the time), yes. Amazing story, environments, setting, characters, dialogue, and gameplay... double yes. Easily on my top 5 games of all time, the RPG elements and story in this game are second to none. There are so many little things to do, nooks and crannies to explore, and secrets to find, you can spend a hundred hours in game and not find everything. The main quest line had me riveted throughout and the NPCs actually made me care about them. So rare to find a game that can do the same these days. It's a must-play. Don't buy it for multiplayer, it's a single-player game.… Expand
  10. Orctownorc
    Jul 10, 2013
    10
    I concede that this game is over complicated and dull. It also contains one of the greatest character development systems ever seen in gaming. The sheer scale of the content, plot lines, NPC's skill combinations and playstyles signal a game that is designed to be replayed for a LONG time. There is a wealth of great game design in here. Be patient and endure the boredom of the first dozenI concede that this game is over complicated and dull. It also contains one of the greatest character development systems ever seen in gaming. The sheer scale of the content, plot lines, NPC's skill combinations and playstyles signal a game that is designed to be replayed for a LONG time. There is a wealth of great game design in here. Be patient and endure the boredom of the first dozen hours or so, and you will eventually start to appreciate how good and finally how great this game is. Finally I have to agree it's In the top 10 rpgs of all time. This game is overdue for a remake.… Expand
  11. 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
  12. Eu
    Jul 7, 2006
    10
    A fantastic and immersive RPG,with lots of different options,from the type of character you can make to how to act in the game,definitely one of the better RPG ever done,a truly masterpiece of this genre.
  13. ScottW.
    Sep 18, 2009
    10
    Outstanding game with one of the best worlds ever conceieved, a deceptively simple combat system, and nearly unlimited customizeability. Truly open-ended, the game not only allows you to be evil, but offers a great set of characters, quests and even weapons which will allow you to actually explore the possibilities of being evil. One of the most underappreciated PC games of all time.
  14. Nauglamir
    Apr 18, 2012
    9
    I still can't fathom what it was with this game, Perhaps it was the typical fantasy characters clad in Victorian clothes, drowned into the yawning chasm of the industry. Perhaps it was the greatly-rendered lore of the old days of magic succumbing to the might of technology, in the wake of an industrial revolution taking over the land. Or it was just the whole-heartedly written story,I still can't fathom what it was with this game, Perhaps it was the typical fantasy characters clad in Victorian clothes, drowned into the yawning chasm of the industry. Perhaps it was the greatly-rendered lore of the old days of magic succumbing to the might of technology, in the wake of an industrial revolution taking over the land. Or it was just the whole-heartedly written story, filled with characters and quests that feel reminiscent of some old-fashioned nineteenth century novels, inter-wined with oily twinges of a waning fantasy realm. The music itself literally merges the land of Arcanum with melodies thriving with joyful, yearning feelings, at last gifting the player with a wistful affection. The Rpg features of Arcanum allows the player to shape their character entirely, with no constraints whatsoever to hamper its creation. As your hero faces a series of challenges - including a fearsome foe whose deeds may doom the entire world - the narration does involve compelling, gray-shaded moral choices, which will ultimately challenge deeply the philosophical concept of life. Word has it this game is marred by a number of bugs/glitches and poor graphics alike. Its vastness in any field, however, well makes up for its flaws; as for graphics, just go buying Dragon Age or some other top-notch graphics, non-flawed, soulless Rpg.… Expand
  15. [Anonymous]
    Apr 20, 2002
    10
    Very addicting!
  16. MichalK.
    Dec 30, 2003
    10
    Fantastic RPG game from creators of Fallout. I highly recommend it.
  17. EthanG.
    Apr 5, 2005
    10
    Hey Kel R? How can you expect the multiplayer of a primarily single player game to be so good? It would rely on the community. It was just giving one more mechanic for players to toy around with. If you bought the game for it's multiplayer option then you don't know nearly enough about RPGs to rate them.
  18. JB
    Jul 12, 2009
    10
    The Best RPG ever. You have to run it with the unofficial patch or its too buggy, but once you can get it to run right it is the best.
  19. EliasO.
    Jun 16, 2006
    10
    A great RPG, I have had alot of fun hours with this game, I really wish I had the time to play the game again. and again, and again.. Would be so cool to make a magic character, but I never got to that yet! lol! All the side quests..the main quest...oh lord, this game is just so much fun!
  20. Violett
    Mar 27, 2013
    10
    This is the most underrated game I ever saw. In icon on steampunk-technomagic style with unique gameplay, amazing plot and very huge sandbox world. If you like steampunk you simple MUST play Arcanum.
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. SanchezK.
    Aug 7, 2004
    10
    The bomb with hundreds of paths to choose in the game and tonzzz of diferent tecniques to learn if you dont like this shave you head off.
  24. 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.
  25. 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 :)
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. Bruno
    Apr 6, 2006
    10
    I wonder how old are those kids from armchair empire or game revolution. To give this rpg jewel 65% or so means you have absolutely no idea about how should real RPG look like. They are whining on bad graphics and especially interface which is so subjective. I love the interface and all I know love it too. Beside that everything in Arcanum is excellent, dialoges, questing system (so many I wonder how old are those kids from armchair empire or game revolution. To give this rpg jewel 65% or so means you have absolutely no idea about how should real RPG look like. They are whining on bad graphics and especially interface which is so subjective. I love the interface and all I know love it too. Beside that everything in Arcanum is excellent, dialoges, questing system (so many possibilies of how to fulfil quest), character developoment, game world, sounds. I can hardly imagine better RPG made in that particular setting (steam&magic).… 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

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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.
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  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
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