Frogking, I didn't like Arcanum either, because of this mixture of tech/magic and the Victorian atmosphere - but I had a regular visitor coming to me just to play this game - he really loved it.
So, I'd just call it a matter of different taste, not the worst/best game (judgemental) - but simply: like/dislike (subjective taste), hm? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> - so I agree with you in this case <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />
BTW, it was the same case in Fallout 1/2 with this gamer and me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
And not because of turnbased, I prefer this kind of combat <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> - again, just a matter of taste/preferences.
Kiya