Rating: 
Summary: Great game, but beware...
Review: The system requirements listed here at Amazon.com are incorrect - they do not match the requirements given by the game developers. They should read as follows:64 MB RAM
Pentium II-300mHz
DirectX compatible 8MB video card
4X CD-ROM
Windows 95/98/ME/2000
1.2GB disk space
Windows compatible sound card Now, IF you have all that, I'm sure it's a fantastic game! Sadly, I only have a 5.5MB video card so I get real choppy and ... performance even in decreased-graphics mode. Believe it or not, I still struggle through playing because it's a fantastic game, plot-driven yet still open-ended, and I do enjoy myself. I'll simply have to get a new computer in order to enjoy it more fully.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome game.
Review: After I first finished the demo, I knew that I had to have this game. At this moment it has lost quite a bit of its replay value, but I believe that is only because I played it so much. It took me two years and about 40 different characters to do that. Overall, if you are into RPGs with less fighting (not to say there isn't any fighting) and more role-playing, this game is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Gosh! Could this game BE more confusing??
Review: I paid way too much for this game when it first came out. I should have opted for Anarchy Online at Fry's where I instead purchased the tedious Arcanum. Steamworks really appeal to me, as does fantasy roleplaying and gaming in general but this game was a true disappointment. I created several characters and generally anything aside from a warrior is going to get trounced right off the bat. Perhaps I'm just not that skilled with magick-users and such but sheesh! I really hoped for a good experience with this game but even in (especially in) multi-player it's time-consuming and bug-ridden. Oh, well - live and learn! It might be worth its current price but don't expect to much from it and be prepared to endure alot of headache searching for items to survive with. Overall, unfortunately, its a waste of your cash.
Rating:
Summary: Choices Galore
Review: While I'm not one to write reviews, this time I can't really stop myself. Arcanum, I feel, has earned my response. Arcanum is a downright marveous game. The greatest beauty of the game is, doubtless, the freedom. One is not constrained to work in a specific order doing specific deeds specific ways, but rather the game and the plot will adapt themselves to whatever the character does. I've been playing RPGs since Final Fantasy II came out, and I'd always thought it would be neat to choose what to say to even the normal people. Arcanum allows this, letting you choose what to say to every character in the game, and what you say can have a major effect on how the game continues, even with a mere villager.
Certainly, also, the fact that there is no compulsion to be a "good guy" is a nice touch. You can be as moral as a saint or more murderous than Jack the Ripper if you like. You don't need to buy items if you can get into the shopkeeper's stock, and while I'm on the topic of people who sell things, if you sell them something, it'll show that they have it available for sale. Of course, the battle system, rules system, techology system, and magic system all deserve praise, but it's the sheer amount of choice that makes this game unlike any other -- and gives it infinite replay value. I really have yet to see better. Five out of five.
Rating:
Summary: Best "RPG" ever made...
Review: Although any game that involves character development is labelled an RPG these days, I truly would call this one an RPG. At all times you have the option to do whatever you want. You truly can role-play while playing this game. The system, though still level based (sadly), is class-free so you're not restricted at all by class definitions that shouldn't be there in the first place. You choose what skills you want, and your intelligence and charisma ACTUALLY affect what options you have when talking to NPCs. There are several schools of magic in which you can develop as well as several schools of science which allow you to create devices, weapons, and even alchemical solutions. For those of you who are fans of theif-like characters, almost every quest you can find in this game can be solved or avoided through pick-pocketing if you wish. You are occassionally forced into combat, however, if you want to finish a certain quest. I have beaten this game, and there are really only about four or five quests that you actually have to do in order to complete the storyline. Every thing you chose to do or not to do and every way you chose to do it will affect the eventual outcome of every city in the world, which will be shown to you after completing the game. I have read some reviews that say this is the buggiest game they have ever played. I played the game all the way through WITHOUT downloading a single patch and never ran into any bugs at all, so I really can't comment on that aspect. The game includes a world editor which is extremely flexible. There's nothing that was done in the game that you couldn't do in the editor. Sadly, this is not a multiplayer game, but you can still design worlds for yourself or your friends. I am typically not a fan of this type of game, but after the first time playing Arcanum I didn't stop until I had completed it. Since then I've played it a second and third time through and still haven't seen all the quests and possibilities there are in this game. I decided to write this review as I am currently reinstalling the game to play a fourth time. I strongly suggest giving this game a try. Even though the graphics wont compete with more recent games, the gameplay will blow them out of the water. Thanks for your time.
Rating:
Summary: Cross Country Running with Swords and Pistols
Review: This game was almost really cool. In fact, how cool it almost was will just make you want to scream in frustration. After a certain point, it really does turn into 'And now I run across the city from X to see X'. I realize that some amount of running, etc. is necessary, but it got old. Also, combat was eh... well, I tried the real-time mode once or twice, but it just was NOT happy. That's fine, I was not looking for diablo. Finally, things seem to drrraaaagg in the middle, but I suspect that is related to my choice of character. All in all, a very good game with fun graphics, UI, game world, mechanics, and plot. Arcanum was well worth what I paid for it; I'm just upset that it was not better. Yes, I also think the sun is too bright, the moon is too cold, and I'll be damned the terra ain't just a little too firma. Have a nice day.
Rating: 
Summary: A lot of fun... at first
Review: Arcanum is a very well done game, and is truly engrossing from the start, especially the way they introduce you to your eventual "path" as some sort of savior (hey, its like most rpgs). Pretty much the only guidance down the path is some deadguy's ring, which you have the option of doing anything you want with. This great freedom is well complemented by the greatest character interactions I've seen thus far. It is similar in gameplay to the Fallout, but lacks the creative plot. The main problem with the game is that your character advances through the levels of 25-50 in about the same time as it will advance through 1-10. Goals are easily accomplished, albeit with a lot of legwork, and you character is frozen at level 50. It is rather unorthodox for a stupid half-ogre to breeze through an rpg, annilating major obstacles with a few swipes with Conan the Barbarian's sword. Even if the user chooses to make a "social" character, combat is easily resolved by npc's. The most difficult path in the game seems to be the traditional "ultra smart" guy, essential to victory in many similar games. Also different from similar games is the fact that after a while the game becomes 90% traveling from person to person. ...
Rating:
Summary: Great RPG
Review: This game has to be one of the best RPGs made to date. One thing that is cool about this game is that as your character evolves the people in the towns will react differently to you. Also when you create new characters the game experience will be different for each one.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This game is great. I've never had so much fun with a role-playing game. Your character is much more customizable than is usual with this type of game. There are no class restrictions, so you can develop your characer almost any way you want. This is also the only game I've ever played that lets you play a female character and have the other characters react to you as female. Everywhere I go, people call me "madam" or "missy" and say other things they would only say to a female. Some things are easier for female characters, and some things are more difficult. It really adds to the realism for women who are tired of always having to play male characters. The game is also interactive in other ways. The town newspaper may report on your activities, for example. And the game is not overly difficult; my half-orc barbarian is already level 25. I've never been able to get so far in a RPG with so little frustration. This is a very clever, amusing game; wonderful fun.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible RPG
Review: Looking at the reviews for this game, I was amazed at some of the negative reviews it received. Don't let them fool you, THIS GAME IS AWESOME. The graphics aren't shocking, but they're good for the way the game is played. The buildings and backrounds are very well designed, and the movies (especially the first few opening ones) are very nice. I like the sound, too. It has a certain 1800s feel to it, and adds to the flavor of the game. The world itself is just amazing. The editorial reviews will confuse you: this is no "Steampunk" or whatever sort of timeframe. It is set in the middle of an industrial revolution. But the world itself is a magical one, with dwarves, elves, orcs, and the like. Therefore it creates a clash between magic and technology. An overwhelming presence of magic will screw up technology, and vice versa. In fact, a wizard in the game's first town actually asks you to destroy a steam engine that the mayor put in because it is suppressing his magic. Throughout the game, you see examples of the enmity between technologists and wizards. Some kingdoms shun technology, and some are less approving of magic. Character creation and advancement is full of endless possiblities. A sophisticated point system allows you to fully customize your character in a classless nature. You can make a technologist or a wizard, a gunslinger or an archer, a gentleman or a thief, etc. etc. You can even ride the line, choosing neither technology or magic and just create a stealthy thief (who inherently leans slighly toward technology, due to the nature of the pick locks and disarm trap skills) or a tank-like fighter, or a savvy member of the social elite, and more. The point system even allows you to combine all of these elements, as you choose any skill you want as you gain more character points for increasing level. For other customizations, it also allows you to choose a background for your character. Histories such as Miracle Operation, Bandit, and more. All in all, a great game with few bugs.
| 
