|

Games Homepage
Best of 2007 | 2006 |2005
Advanced Search

PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox 360 | Xbox

Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64

PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast
How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
|
| Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura |
 |
Populated with elves, orcs, humans, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings, Arcanum, a Tolkienesque fantasy world, exists in an unsteady equilibrium between the emergence of industrialized cities and the decline of magic. This debut RPG from the core "Fallout" team finds the player "on vacation" when he becomes responsible for the fate of this world.
| PUBLISHER: |
Sierra |
| DEVELOPER: |
Troika Games |
| GENRE(S): |
Role-Playing Game |
| PLAYERS: |
8 |
| ESRB RATING: |
M (Mature) |
| RELEASE DATE: |
August 21, 2001 |

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
91
Cinescape
Although the characters you meet along the way try to guide you through the game, Arcanum really leaves most of what happens up to the player.

91
Electric Playground
Lets trim it down to a single conclusion: if you like RPGs, get this game. Right now.

91
Gamezilla!
A breath of fresh air in the RPG genre, with highly rendered graphics, huge playing fields, and an excellent experience system allowing unprecedented freedom of development, not to mention the interesting storyline.

90
PC Gamer
If you cant 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.

90
Computer Games Magazine
A slowly seductive game, a deep and demanding affair with a steep learning curve and a voracious appetite for your spare time. It's all the more impressive that the more time you devote to the game.

90
GameZone
This game just rocks!

89
ActionTrip
One of those games that deserve to be played for a long while.

89
GameSpy
A fantastic game that will keep you enthralled for hours and hours. There are some annoying bugs, but even those can't derail this exceptional gaming experience.

87
IGN
A delightful RPG with plenty to offer to those of you looking for a detailed storyline, rich atmosphere, and one of the best character development systems ever. It's good to see that the RPG tradition is still alive.

87
Voodoo Extreme
The type of game that reminds me why I do this job the game is an absolute pleasure from start to finish.

80
Game Over Online
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.

80
GamePro
There truly is a deep, rewarding, and splendiferous RPG behind Arcanums dated, clunky machina
but only the most intrepid RPG fanatics will have the patience to dig it out.

80
Xequted
Underneath the merely decent graphics and a problematic combat system is an adventure capable of sweeping anyone away with its superb quality.

80
Quandary
I still rate Arcanum as one of my favourite games. For me, it's the game play that really counts, and Arcanum has bucketloads of that!

80
Playboy
Also, while the depth of the game means a richer experience, it can be quite intimidating and overwhelming at first, even for the experienced player. Thankfully, there's a 189-page manual and handy Hot Key menu card and map to keep beside the PC while playing.

80
All Game Guide
New features and a solid storyline should keep even the most veteran players busy for quite sometime.

80
Media and Games Online Network
The most disappointing facet of the visuals would have to be the character graphics which are lacking in detail, are poorly animated and remind us more of flimsy cardboard cut outs that wobble about than real flesh and blood individuals.

75
Gamers' Temple
It's unique setting and departure from more traditional RPG elements will certainly endear it to many players.

73
GameSpot
Suffers from a host of rather serious flaws, including an overall lack of polish, which can end up making the game disappointing more often than enjoyable for some players. These problems veil what's an otherwise captivating and immersive role-playing experience.

70
Adrenaline Vault
Ultimately an entertaining title, but one with enough quirks to prevent it from attaining true RPG greatness.

70
GamePen
Unfortunately, there is one area in Arcanum that truly fails to hold up with the rest of the gamethe combat engine. Combat is overly simplified and feels a lot like it was added on as an afterthought.

70
Yahoo! Games
What it lacks in polish, it makes up for with that elusive "fun factor" that you can feel even when you can't always pin it down.

67
Game Revolution
If you're looking for a long-term relationship with a complicated, temperamental (I have nervous breakdowns all the time), frustratingly smart game, then baby, I'm your man. Otherwise, I'm just trouble.

65
Armchair Empire
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.


The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Read more user comments...
Discuss this game in our forums |
|