First impressions, a few thoughts and character hints

[prime_dweller]

Started Arcanum 4 days ago. I'm addicted!

First, a few gripes:
- The interface takes a lot of getting used to. Unlike most games, the manual is indispensable (all 170 pages of it). Too bad it doesn't have an index or a table of contents.

- Real-time combat is waaay too fast. First thing I did was change to turn-based.

- The balance between magic and tech is completely in magic's favor, both in power and in flexibility.

Now the good points:
- Stability is good out of the box, so far. Maybe I'll patch the game, maybe not.

- Performance is acceptable, even in a low-end Celeron 300MHz. There's some slowdown while scrolling, but I can live with it.

- A lot of people are saying the graphics are dated. Well, they aren't cutting edge, but they aren't bad either. The environment feels a lot like Fallout, bust crispier, and the cities aren't all wrecked, which makes for a much more pleasing atmosphere.

- Character development is great! There are lots of options and enough character points to specialize in 2, maybe 3 tech disciplines and get some thieving skills. The level cap prevents uber-characters with max everything, and min-maxing is difficult because you can't decrease stats in character creation except by using backgrounds.

- The mixture of technology and magic makes this game almost like a non-linear System Shock 2 in third person view and with NPC interaction.

Now, some hints:

- The most powerful char type in the game is probably the thief/mage. This char needs only to develop his Dex and Will stats, put points in Lockpick and Pickpocket (both Dex dependent) and develop Conveyance (for Teleport), Phantasm (for Invisibility - no need for Prowling) and whatever school has the Disintegrate spell (not much need for weapons).

- Why Lockpick and not rely only on Unlock Cantrip? Because of the noise in stores at night. Also, you have to develop Dex anyway because of Pickpocket, so it will only cost 5 CP anyway. The small amount of tech rating from Lockpick is negligible and easily offset by all the magic schools this char will learn.


- Another possibility is the thief/tech. This char is a bit slower because there are more stats to develop - Dex, Int and Perception - as well as skills: Prowling, Pickpocket, Lockpick and you need Firearms or Melee. Also, each tech discipline needs 8 (I think) CP to reach Doctorate level, more than the 5 for any magic school.

- Melee seems better from a powergaming standpoint, because there are excellent melee weapons easily accessible early and no ammo is needed, but personally I think firearms are cooler and fit the tech sniper theme better. Also, with Firearms there is no need for Backstab - just use Prowling and snipe from a distance, in perfect safety.

- Overall, tech thieving is very doable and fun. There is, however, a problem, and that's player convenience compared to magic.

First, no teleport. Frankly, its almost worth it to learn the Conveyance school even with a tech just to get teleport.

Second, inventory management. The tech needs LOTS of items. He needs to FIND them, then he needs to CARRY them, and most likely he needs to find containers to STORE them. Thats a lot of micromanagement. The mage needs a couple of potions, and thats ALL. His resource is Fatigue, which regenerates over time. The tech's resources are Bullets and Charges/Batteries, which he must find/make/buy/steal and then CARRY. That's part of the incentive to steal from stores, I guess.


Well, thats all for now. Sorry for the long rant!

[fable]

I'm surprised Troika didn't shorten the inventory screen for magic types, offering compensation to those tech users who need the inventory area for their components. Probably unexplainable in terms of Arcanum's universe--though you're right, the magic types are so much easier to play, as a result.

When I spoke to one of the Troika team, he acknowledged that the interface really didn't work out. They wanted an alternative to BG2's muitiple screens, and decided to fit all information on a single screen with panels that change according to your need. Problem is, there's just too much to see, and it's a hassle. I'm particularly displeased with having to analyze tech and spell trees all the time.

Great game, though. Highly configurable and non-linear.

[friend_al_23]

The first six months of 2001 have been a very good period for CRPG fans. The second half of the year also holds great promise, with the release of Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura widely expected to be a highlight. The first project to be developed by Troika Games, it takes place in a huge, varied gameworld that offers an intriguing twist on high fantasy. While it contains magic alongside familiar races like elves and dwarves, the game is set in the midst of an industrial revolution that has brought urbanization, steam age technology and affordable manufactured goods. The dual forces of magic and technology co-exist, but since their basic natures are polar opposites, the balance between them is not always stable.

-- Sharon Shellman

[fable]

"The first project to be developed by Troika Games?" I was under the impression that the same team designed Fallout and Fallout II. Perhaps they had a different name at the time.

[friend_al_23]

That's right. I thought you knew it. Back then they were under Blac Isle Studios until Tim and his gang started their own.

[fable]

Originally posted by Al Reyes:
<STRONG>That's right. I thought you knew it. Back then they were under Blac Isle Studios until Tim and his gang started their own.</STRONG>

I hope I didn't let you down. If it's the same team, whatever their name change, I still don't see it as their first project.

[friend_al_23]

I quoted it from Shellman's interview at RPG Vault. I hope that's okay to say. I didn't link, okay?

[fable]

Originally posted by Al Reyes:
<STRONG>I quoted it from Shellman's interview at RPG Vault. I hope that's okay to say. I didn't link, okay?</STRONG>

You know, without in any way meaning to speak for Buck, I think what he objects to is in links is the indiscriminate use of 'em as blatant advertising tools. So why don't you think about writing him, and requesting a separate category just for quality RPG board links? Sort of a place for people with good RPG boards to leave their calling cards. I don't know if Buck will agree, but it would provide a focus for other boards when people want 'em. Just a thought.

[friend_al_23]

You know that's quite an idea like the ones at ***.

[HighLordDave]

Like our friend Prime Dweller, I too have just purchased Arcanum (actually I exchanged Pool of Radiance for it) and have one singular gripe: there's no tutorial! That may seem minor, but the interface is hardly intuitive and there's not a lot of help in the manual. I'm a hit-and-miss learner, so I would rather get the basics through a hands-on demonstration rather than have to read about it in a manual that isn't exactly consistant with its screenshots (an all monchrome, too).

It seems to me that with a minimal amount of effort the design team could have put together a 30 minute walkthrough highlighting the major features of the game including basic combat, technology skills and magic. The BG orientations were cleverly disguised in the game's story and the BG2 tutorial was quick and easy. I think Arcanum tries to do too much with very little by way of introduction and basic controls.

Aside from this gripe, I like the game a lot and am looking forward to the rest of it.

[friend_al_23]

I am willing to put a tutorial online only I don't know what you mean. A tutorial about the interface? Yes, I do agree with the manual.