Arx Fatalis

With its open-ended structure and unusual story line, Arx Fatalis is the polar opposite of traditional console RPGs, and that's why I like it so much.

If "Morrowind," fantasy and claustrophobia are not your favourite things, then there really isn't a point.

The voice-acting meanwhile features a variety of accents and the sound effects adequately portray the stark reality of a strange world.

The graphics are somewhat weak in this game.

The nonlinear gameplay, extreme environment interaction and first person perspective create a world different from the standard role-playing game, and that's like a breath of fresh air for those tired of straightforward and clichéd titles.

For those who grew up on dungeon crawls, this is a title that can't miss.

A poor framerate, bland textures, awful character models, clipping bugs, and a messy interface all suck the fun out of what should be a solid RPG. [Jan 2004, p.76]

Has a unique visual style, an involving storyline, and several dozen hours of intensely immersive gameplay.

The game drags under the weight of too much walking and item gathering - mostly while looking down at the ground - and not enough engaging action.

You really, really have to like old-school dungeon crawler RPGs to derive any enjoyment out of playing Arx Fatalis. Ugly graphics, poor controls due to unwisely incorporated first-person perspective gameplay, and long stretches of boring dungeon exploration create a mediocre game that is at least five years too late to merit consideration.