Arx Fatalis

1. ZoltanR.

   Aug 29, 2007

   10

   This game is a little bit old now - afaik it was released in 2003 - but its still FUN to play. (btw, this is what I really miss from most of This game is a little bit old now - afaik it was released in 2003 - but its still FUN to play. (btw, this is what I really miss from most of the recent games...) Because of its age, Arx Fatalis might not appear as *shiny* as the new releases, but it has a gripping story, a great atmosphere and one of the best magic systems I have ever seen. (FYI, it is not like a pressbutton1forafireball stuff... You have to understand the meaning of different runes and the system how to compose a spell from them. So if you want to be a wizard in the game, you must have some brain, and not just select the wizard character at the start. (if you understand the logic, you can invoke a few hidden spells on your own)) In sum: If you are to fully utilize your new video card's directx10 capabilities and/or looking for pointless massacre, this is not for you. If you are looking for a great RPG with unique magic system, great atmosphere and you are looking for gaming experience, this is a must have.… Expand

   • 5 of 7 users found this helpful
2. jseph1234

   Dec 18, 2017

   10

   One of the GREAT, classic Fantasy RPG's. The setting, story and the Arkane Studios work on this project were masterful and can't be emphasisOne of the GREAT, classic Fantasy RPG's. The setting, story and the Arkane Studios work on this project were masterful and can't be emphasis enough. A must play for any RPG fan!… Expand

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful
4. ultimadwarf

   Nov 29, 2014

   10

   Really great RPG. My all time favorite. It does however, while being great have a few trade-offs.
   
   The game has a pretty alright story. ItReally great RPG. My all time favorite. It does however, while being great have a few trade-offs.
   
   The game has a pretty alright story. It can be a LITTLE linear tho, as it isn't open world. The game takes place in 8 different levels ( excluding some areas like the bunker or crypts ). Overall tho, you won't be exploring it all at once.
   
   The game has a pretty nice atmosphere. It's not sad and depressing, but it has a dark feeling. Apart from when in the town or the tavern where there are people, the game will feel lonely, you will feel completely alone.
   
   In terms of interactivity, you can do quite alot. One of the reasons this game is awesome is because nothing is obvious. After many playthroughs, there are still some secrets and intractable objects I've not found or only recently found. This is pretty good saying there is only 8 levels/floors in the entire game.
   
   There is also the casting system. You basically hold whatever the cast button is bound to down, and click, drag, and release to make shapes that look like runes you've previously picked up. Casting several runes together casts a spell.
   
   The game however, has some major problems.
   
   For starters, balance isn't big. Playing a caster makes you extremely powerful. Playing a warrior will be fine for a while, but near the end of the game, you will struggle greatly unless you've got hundreds of potions. Similar thing with a stealthy build ( stealth build can still work ).
   
   The major problem with this title though, the thing that sets most people off is the buggyness. On some older systems ( 2000, XP ) The game might run fine. On newer systems though, you will get some serious compatibility issues.
   
   Putting compatibility issues aside, the game in general is extremely buggy. You won't see bugs like let's say... Someone clipping through a wall. But instead bugs of, dropping an item on the wrong object will cause the game to freeze, lockup and crash. There are also some lag issues on some systems.
   
   Not everything, but most of the bugs including crashes can be fixed with "Arx Liberatis", one of the few unofficial patches for the game.
   
   "What version should I get?"
   
   I've not tried the CD version, only GOG and Steam. While they are both very similar, I'd say GOG is the winner, as it's DRM free and mildly less buggy.
   
   Graphics are of course dated, but look quite nice for the time. It basically looks like morrowind, but slightly higher polygons, higher res textures, better shaders, minus the reflective water and shadows.
   
   Amazing game. Has flaws but in my opinion, the trade offs are worth it, and some/most of the bugs are easily fixed with a patch.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
5. KolesAdlerov

   Apr 9, 2023

   8

   An UltimaUnderworld-inspired RPG with unique spell mechanics and with legs! First legs in first-person (if we don't consider brokenAn UltimaUnderworld-inspired RPG with unique spell mechanics and with legs! First legs in first-person (if we don't consider broken first-person camera in third-person-game OperationFlashpoint)! And the first "real-time" forge in first-person.
   
   Gameplay:
   combat mechanics 7/10
   stealth (with powers) 6/10
   atmosphere 7/10
   Gameplay as RPG & im.sim: 9/10
   
   Story 6/10
   
   Graphics 8/10
   
   Sounds & music 7/10
   [good RU localization]
   
   .
   R. Colantonio's Underworld 3, if you like it.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. TechnologoDoom

   Aug 2, 2011

   8

   Known as a cult classic among CRPG enthusiasts, Arx Fatalis was largely overlooked when it was released back in 2002 to PC and Xbox. ThoughKnown as a cult classic among CRPG enthusiasts, Arx Fatalis was largely overlooked when it was released back in 2002 to PC and Xbox. Though visually, and in terms of contemporaries, it falls into the same period as the excellent, TES: III Morrowind, Arx Fatalis is a very different game, though solidly great. Sure it has it's faux pas, but on the whole Arx Fatalis has that "je ne sais quoi" that all great games do. The world and environments are intruiging, the storyline fascinating and original, and though the combat could use some work, there's enough going on that you won't mind.… Expand

   • 6 of 7 users found this helpful
7. dogha

   May 29, 2022

   8

   Игра довольно интересная.
   
   Сюжет типичный, как у Arkane. Боёвка, а именно магия сделана классно. Всю игру рисование знаков не надоедало, аИгра довольно интересная.
   
   Сюжет типичный, как у Arkane. Боёвка, а именно магия сделана классно. Всю игру рисование знаков не надоедало, а вот ближний бой - это полный мусор. Больше всего в игре понравились головоломки.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
8. NicF.

   Jul 10, 2007

   0

   Those who gave this game a higher rating then 5 have obviously not played oblivion.

   • 0 of 7 users found this helpful

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