ARCANUM

                 Reviewed by Stefan Herber

I spent a lot of time with this game - not because it was
marvellous but because toward the end I found I'd screwed up
a major sub-mission (thanks to a web forum - what would we
do without them?). To be honest completing that mission
wasn't worth it - but how was I supposed to know that in
advance?

This is more or less a cross between the "Fallout" series and
the latest RPGs from the Baldur's Gate team. It is unique in
that it allows you to develop in either magical skills - self
explanatory - or technologic skills, which means you're better
at picking locks and using firearms. As a traditionalist I
concentrated on the magic area but tried to hone down several
thief skills and as such ended up as neither one or the other. I
don't suppose it mattered very much - I finished the game very
easily.  I certainly doubt I would wish to replay it yet again.

There isn't a lot wrong with it but there's enough to find it
frustrating for those of us who are constantly searching for the
so-called ideal RPG. Yes - you can build up a party; yes - there
are party frictions allowing some character interactions; yes
you can be good or evil - although I must confess I've never
followed my true alignment and tried to be evil in any of these
games. The major problem with Arcanum is you only ever get
to develop your own character - the others do their own thing
and while this may simplify things it detracts from the
experience. There is also an experience cap which you only
discover when you've reached it - at least warn us in advance
so we don't waste time wandering around areas fruitlessly in
search of randomly generated targets!  The other major
negative point is that while you can and will amass vast sums
of money there's never anything to spend it on - the only point
in the game when a lot is required the same aim can be
achieved by fulfilling a sub mission which is infinitely more
rewarding.

BUT - it has a lot going for it - the story is enthralling, the sub
quests varied and interesting and I'm sure there's a lot of depth
in there somewhere in developing your character differently. I
did it all except for the evil side of things although the choice of
ending allows you to see both sides (I don't have to spell out
which is the more rewarding) but ultimately it proved to be a
fairly negative experience. It's OK as a stopgap but there are
currently so many worthwhile RPGs that this must rate as an
also-ran.










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