Gilius Thunderhead
Savant
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
- Messages
- 979
Arcanum is probably the most ambitious RPG ever created and should be given credit for the extent to which it was able to live up to its promises. Most of its faults are due to rushed and insufficient implementation, only in a few aspects would I say it's crippled by design. The most important in my opinion:
1. Poor encounter design. Combat areas are filled with monsters that are littered around linear corridors. They mistakenly went for the Diablo experience, when the game system allowed much more creativity. I've tweaked the game considerably and know that the stealth mechanic is actually quite robust. Diplomacy is already available in all other areas of the game. Magic and tech would provide many alternative solutions to fighting. The truth is, a team of modders could completely redesign the dungeons with the tools already available and make the game a lot more interesting.
2. Poor AI. This is a nearly universal problem in RPGs, so it's kind of unfair to single out Arcanum.
As far as the combat goes, I find it extremely varied and generally satisfactory (in the right amount). Its problem is mainly balance, which is mostly a question of changing a few numeric values. This can't be expected of anyone but dedicated players (who are already fans), though.
Most of what can be leveled against Arcanum is related to its wasted potential. Many locations feel empty, there's a frustrating lack of detail in world building (no orc, ogre or halfling towns). They just needed another year.
1. Poor encounter design. Combat areas are filled with monsters that are littered around linear corridors. They mistakenly went for the Diablo experience, when the game system allowed much more creativity. I've tweaked the game considerably and know that the stealth mechanic is actually quite robust. Diplomacy is already available in all other areas of the game. Magic and tech would provide many alternative solutions to fighting. The truth is, a team of modders could completely redesign the dungeons with the tools already available and make the game a lot more interesting.
2. Poor AI. This is a nearly universal problem in RPGs, so it's kind of unfair to single out Arcanum.
As far as the combat goes, I find it extremely varied and generally satisfactory (in the right amount). Its problem is mainly balance, which is mostly a question of changing a few numeric values. This can't be expected of anyone but dedicated players (who are already fans), though.
Most of what can be leveled against Arcanum is related to its wasted potential. Many locations feel empty, there's a frustrating lack of detail in world building (no orc, ogre or halfling towns). They just needed another year.