I have put a bid in on a game called "Arcanum".Has anybody out there played this RPG/strategy game, i would like to hear some views before i bid too much for it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

Please use the Search Function; this has been discussed several times, on the old Forum, too.

Did use the search thingy but it only came up with my post, after i had posted it admittadly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

spick you should really research a game before buying it. I have played Arcanum... one of the worst games in existance.... the game is very childlike.. almost as if they made it for elementry school kids. The interfaze is so old it looks like somthing from dos... the combat system is the worst ive had the privilage of laying my eyes onto lol. The intro movie is cool though


this is just me though dont take my word for it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Vixen. I really didn't like Arcanum, I tried to play it for a while but I eventually gave it up in disgust, un-installed it and will never play it again.
If you're thinking that it's something like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> you couldn't be more wrong, I think it's dreadful! That's just my opinion though, and I know that there are quite a few people here who like the game.
Just be warned, the graphics are the WORST I've ever seen. As Vixen says it's childlike and primitive. The game looks like it was made 10 or more years ago.
When I first installed it I was absolutely shocked at how AWFUL the game really was, and I'm very angry that I wasted any money on it! As the saying goes "Buyer Beware".

Cheers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

I only read about and I agree.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
So don't be afraid to agree with Vixen.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I played the Demo and liked it more or less.

What fascinated me was the mixtture of fantasy and of the 20ties of the last century.

I think it has beenm discussed before - but it also have been in the Old Forum ...

What disappoints me is that Arcanum was from a breakaway group who worked on Fallout 2, a fantastic RPG despite its faults. Everything Ive read about Arcanum says it has potential, but just doesnt deliver. It is half baked and has very unbalanced gameplay, not to mention a large number of bugs. Still some people like it, try the demo before you put anymore bids on Ebay.

My current game: Freelancer. Is it everything it was meant to be? No. Is it a good game? You're darn tootin.

I can only second that: Freelancer is <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

Hey goodnews....I've been outbid(PHEW!!!!)
I have now put a bid in on Summoner, judging from what i've read in the forum that IS a good game. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/badsmile2.gif" alt="" />

Summoner is a much better choice. Its not the holy grail of gaming by any means, but its fun and addictive, and there are a few really great plot twists that will make your jaw drop.

Yes, I agree. Summoner is a much better game than Arcanum. I'm in the middle of playing it at the moment, as I only bought it a few days ago. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. It's very different to <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />. For a start it's 3D, which takes a bit of getting used to. I find myself constantly getting lost, and the mini-map is useless, as you can't zoom out to see where you are.
If you get the game I highly recommend that you download some maps and a good walkthrough. The other thing that I don't like very much is the combat system. The monster's have hundreds of hit points and the fights seem to take forever. I'm really starting to find the fighting VERY tedious. Oh how much I long for my HELLSPIKES! That said, I have to admit that the storyline has hooked me and I can't seem to stop playing it, I want to know what happens next. The graphics too are simply beautiful. This is the game that Neverwinter Nights should have been.

Cheers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Make sure you get the hang of "chaining" your attacks. It makes combat much easier. To chain click the button at just the right time and your next attack will do more damage. Once you learn the timing, you'll be able to chain pretty much every attack. A little chain link will appear briefly on the screen when the time is right. Get used to when it pops up and be ready because by the time youve seen it its already too late <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Yes I LOVE summoner, it's a really good game with really good value and the storyline is amazing, and i like multiplayer on it too.

Well, i think you have all convinced me to get Summoner.
I have been trying to get a feel for the next game i should get, my life has been almost empty now that i finished DD.
What is everyone's opinion on Diablo? What is that like?

i really liked d2 expansion.
but ehm, that was especially the online part.
but lately that is screwed, ppl are duping items, decreasing their values.
Any noob can have great items in the game now.
no more fun...:(

diablo would be a great second choice, i played diablo at least 3 times with each character, and at the end of each session after completion, i started a new game with the same char. absolutley awesome <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> until dd came along that was my first choice, much like dd it has many, many hrs of good playtime <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif" alt="" />

Does Summoner run on Win XP does anyone know?

yes it should work.

Can you still get Summoner?
I can't find it anywhere!!

Carrie you might have to ask your game store if they can still order it for you, otherwise you'll have to try Ebay. Summoner's been out for a while so it may be hard to find.

Cheers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

[mistake, please ignore or delete]

But I since I disagree with everyone, I'll give my two cents.

I very much enjoyed Arcanum. And I bought it when it was full price. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Right now, it's cheaper than heck, and I am shocked that people wouldn't think it was worth the miniscule price. Yes, it's a bit sad in the graphics department...but the many ways you can choose to play the game are phenomenal. The magic user/tech user/diplomat options are pretty cool. But the thing that excited me most, was the END. This really isn't a spoiler, but I've never before seen a game that showed the consequences of your actions or inaction so well. I've never replayed the game...but I imagine I will some day. There were a myriad of MAJOR quests, that you could complete, or not complete, and still advance gameplay. It was very open ended, totally non-linear and as far as bugs go..I really only noticed one, and it was in no way a game stopper. Also, multi-player didn't seem to work. But offline RPG's are what I purchase to play by myself anyway. Combat was a little unbalanced, it was much more difficult to go the tech route, than the magic user route...but it was in no way impossible, just a little more challenging. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I enjoy all sorts of games...I loved the diablo games...but Arcanum was a true RPG...it may have been a little slow for some people, but you could be as bad as you wanted to be, or as good. I thought it was a nice game. I never regretted the money I spent on it...unlike PoR2, and a couple other I could name.

So that's my humble opinion...the good and the bad. I really think most of you were WAYYYY to hard on what I thought was a decent game.

Perhaps if i can find it "cheap as chips" i might still be tempted on reading your reply, yes , i think i'll give it a go! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Hmmmm, I agree with everything that has been said about Summoner. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

It wasn't the best RPG I've ever played, but it really was fun.
However, I had the constant feeling that something is missing. I can't be much more precise - I felt like the entire world, each place you go just exists because you happen to be there.

I guess I stand alone with that asessment?!


Now... Arcanum - didn't play it. I went to the store, bought Evil Islands (nice game by the way) and Gothic, but when I asked the store clerk "Hey do you also have... ahem what was the name?... hmmm I forgot" Because I didn't rember the name "Arcanum" he showed me a couple of RPGs and so I stumbled over <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />

Fate! I'm not sure if Arcanum is worth a try after what I've heard here.

Last but not least... well acctually it is the least! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/memad.gif" alt="" /> Diabolo was about the only RPG I did not finish. I got to lvl 30 and quit. I'm sorry, but its really just clicking on the monsters. If they would at least think of a somewhat compelling storyline or give the creatures names, which do not sound like they were picked at random from the dictionary...

So that's it! Wait has anybody here played Evil Islands?

Arcanum is a very good game IMO, the graphics are not top but they are not as bad as childish, they are some what worse than Divine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> The cut seens are very good ven though there are only really three, four if you include the start one(on load of game). http://www.rpgplanet.com/arcanum/screenshots.shtml this is a fansite with pictures of the Arcanum world if you want to judge for yourself.

Arcanum is very interesting because of the fact that you can go down one of four road(not counting sub-class type stuff),technoly whaere you can make and combind things to make amazing machines! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> Magic, where you can teloport all over the map and fire spells that disentigrate(sp) your foes! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" /> the third way is the stright fighter, a person who uses nothing but there brute strength to get them in and out of trouble. Finaly there is the theif, as a theif you prowl the night stealing from the rich and give to the locol(sp) fence for cash. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/badsmile2.gif" alt="" />

The game itself in not at all liner, like some games, there is a main plot line but you don't even have to do it if you don't want to. Of corse you will have to go down the path of the main quest because you can't go on forever with out it or you will never complete the game! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Not to spoil to much be the main bad guy is a cool magic elf and so is the major good guy(other than yourself)you are found in the rechage(sp) of a zeplin and the person who finds you thinks your the rencarnatian of a powerful elf wizard that dies 2000 years ago because of the profecry(sp)

"and he shall be born on wings of fire, in hills shrouded in fog" or something like that, and since you are found in the burning rechage(sp) of a flying ship near a town called Shrouded Hills they think your the reborn elf wizard. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Also a little plug for a great game: Morrowind is also a really good game, the graphics are amazing and the gameplay is wonderful! Of corse if comes at a fairly high price(not only in money) I think its something like $40 American and the X-Pack is like another $15. The only real downside is its a killer for the computer because it requires a high end system chech here for details
http://www.elderscrolls.com/index.php

Ok, I'm done now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Evil Islands was a good game, the only complaint I had was the terrible voice acting. Especially for the main character, he sounds like his voice is breaking for goodness sake. Apart from that it had a good 3d engine and lots of great ideas, I loved being able to constuct my own weapons and armour from materials you could find.

I never much liked diablo either, it was too shallow. DD makes up for all its shortcomings thank goodness (Even if it adds a few of its own)

Arcanum is one of the things I don't want to be reminded of, and I'm thankful of the fact that my copy is pirated. My problems with lie not with the graphics; they lie with the horrible, horrible, horrible combat system.

Real-time = my character dies before she can even do anything.
Turn-based = I die of boredom before the characters could so much as be within each other's range.

Now, if it were possible to avoid combat completely and talk your way through the whole game (like Planescape: Torment, whose combat is, at the very most, optional), I wouldn't have given up on it. I would've been hooked to it, in fact. But alas, it didn't take me long to run away screaming after my third battle or so.

Morrowind was good for the first few hours, and then I came to realize just how horrible the mapping and navigation are. Never touched it ever since. In summary:

The Bad

- You need a very, very good PC to run it without suffering lag
- Repetitive combat
- Enchanting is evil
- Mapping and navigation are surely from the hellish pits of Baator
- Most NPCs have no personality
- Certain combos can make the game way too easy. I didn't intend to do it, but my second character was wiping out a whole cave of smugglers at level six.
- No focus in storyline
- Repetitive quests
- Vague directions given by NPCs - "go fetch me an egg from the third stone to the south of the eggmine from here, never mind the fact that the game has no compass and the landscape looks all the same."

The Good

- Lovely graphics
- Lots of freedom
- Uhm, that's about it. Oh, very nice graphics, as I said... I have to say something nice about it, now haven't I?
- Yes, very nice graphics.

Winterfox, do you have the PC Morrowind? Because if you do, you can download mods, whitch will enhance the game and give you cool stuff! Mapping is a little hard but you get use to it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Yes you are right that NPCs have no life but as I said mods are a great way to combat those problems! If you thought the game was too easy either, Role play someone who is a little less powerful, don't powergame or turn up the difficulity (if you have X-Pack) or all of the above! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You say no focas in story line? If you only played for a few hours how could you really see how the main plot goes? The quesats for the main plot is like most of the rest of them but the actule(sp) story itself is really good.

Yes enchanting is very evil but if you pay to have someone else do it for you it is very cool because you can make some pretty good weapons/armor/clothes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Onto Arcanum, the combat I did froget to mention but it is really not that bad. The turn bassed is what I hat about it but the real time is fine as long as you have to react as fast as you can by shooting that orge charging at you with his huge axe or use some magic or if you can't fight, the age old "Run away, Run away!" to quote monty Python <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I didn't have any problem with the combat in Arcanum. I kept it real time, and occaisionally switched to TB if there was a real hard battle.

Morrowind is a gorgeous game...but there is no doubt you need a good system and a great video card to run it.

No mod that I know of can combat the abhorrent navigation system, but then again, I've given up on the game some time ago and have never visited the forums ever since. I bet it'll take one hell of a mod to work around the mapping, though.

The story having no focus -- there's a lot of freedom, and the main storyline gets lost in the sea of hundreds of other quests really quick. The Tribunal expansion pack, I heard, improves the journal, but I haven't bought it (nor do I intend to buy it -- yet).

I can't stand Arcanum's combat, nor can I stand Fallout's. I hate turn-based. Give me real-time with a pause button any time, thank you very much.

Spick yer,
I installed and started Fallout 2 but i'm afraid i returned to a second helping of <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> i just can't put it down at the momment, i'm sure i will get back to F2 but it just don't compare to <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />.
And now to make matters worse i have won a bid on e-bay and will soon start Summoner due to recomendations on this site, Oh my what am i to do!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" />

play all of the games <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

What are you to do?

Get pirated copies of all those games. *snerk*

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Winterfox: Sometimes a game is worth buying you know!

I quite like turn based combat, being able to take a time out and consider your next move is great. That said, the ability to pause real time at will is the next best oprion.

lots of games are worth buying, I wouldn't mind that you couldn't copy games anymore so that the industry flourishes again

On the other hand, there're lots of games that aren't worth buying. I don't care to download them from the 'Net, and pirated copies are very much accessible to me. People always find a way to pirate 'em.

Mind you, I have two legal copies of PS:T. Don't ask why, I just do.

PS: T ????

developpers should however put more effort in making good demo's (with near release code) allowing us to evaluate the game and continue with the savegame of the demo

winterfox, do you copy games??
you're ruining the games market :S

Viper: PS:T = Planescape: Torment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Winterfox: If a games not worth buying, is it worth playing? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Yes, sometimes it is worth a few hours' entertainment at most (like the Sims - I got bored of it fairly quickly, but all my friends seem crazy over it for some reason. Small wonder that they stereotype female gamers). Or sometimes it's total horse manure for which I'm glad to never have paid fully for it (I am not paying 200 HK$ for things like Diablo 2, sorry).

Oh, and ruining game's market? Ah, of course. One person doing it and the whole thing will come down around your ears. You know that some games simply don't have demos, or the demos are poor examples of what the game entails, right?

FYI -- my copy of DD is legitimate.

It's not one person doing it...
It's one person MORE doing it.

totally right there seth..
and if all of them keep making copies there soon wont be anymore games TO copy because all of the companies have gone broke.
just think about that..

He's got a point, I mean Diablo 2 is not worth it's money, it's overhyped, and that contributes to the piratism 2

i think diablo2 is worth its money <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
still play it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

So you would even copy a game you don't like?
And becouse it's not worth the money you copy it?
If it's not worth it I wouldn't bother to spend a CD and time on it.

I won't copy a game never will, but I do see that poeple Don't want to pay 50 euro for a game thats made so cheap as diablo 2. DD is cheaper and much better, it has lots more on every aspect.

Big companies their overpricing over hyped products contribute to piratism, everyone wants it, but almost noone wants to pay for it. Especcialy young poeple.

I have bought only one game until now and it's DD


my brother bought all other games I've played.

but it was also realeased 3 years later..
never forget that..
when diablo 2 was released it was state of the art..

I never liked it, I found Diablo 1 good, but II was utter crap, It is worse than 1 exept on technological parts.

Ever heard of Valve's Steam?

nope never heard of it.
what is it?

me neither

I didnt like Diablo 1 or 2. Too much hack and slash for me, at least DD added a bit of depth. Each to his own I guess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

*bursts into helpless giggles*

Bwahahaha, ahahaha! I withdraw my right to comment on this. If you'd used Diablo 1 as example, now... But you just had to go and use its sequel, hadn't you?

By the time Diablo 2 was out, Baldur's Gate was already around. That one I also bought a legitimate copy. That is all I will say.



Thank you for your assumption, Sir Jump-to-Conclusion. I buy my pirated copies from shops, as they're dirt-cheap. Nope, I'm not even spending my time burning it into CDs from someone else's computer. Oh, and because you've missed my point completely, I'll spoon-feed you: I buy pirated copies to try games out. If they aren't worth my time, I don't buy the legitimate copy.

Lastly, love, tell me -- how am I supposed to know whether I like a game or not before I play it? Sure, there're demos, but as I said, many are poor examples of the game. Some games don't even have demos.

FYI, because someone addressed me as "he", I'm of female persuasion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your assumption, Miss Jump-To-Conclusion.
As useal I didn't address anyone. I even posted that after others posted on the topic. If anyone should feel addressed, it should be them. But they understood they shouldn't feel attacked.
I wasn't even reacting on your "point". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />
But I do get your point: It's ok to use pirate copies when you buy them at a shop.
I rather leave it to others to discus that point.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Oh, good, now you're putting words in my mouth, too. Best way to engage in discussions. Way to go!

Find me a quote wherein I stated that "it's okay to support piracy when you buy them at shops". Considering that people began commenting on piracy since I brought it up, I was merely stating a fact that, no, I don't copy CDs -- as in answering your question, be it rhetorical or not.

Talking about putting words in some one's mouth. I never said you supported it. Above you see what you typed.
If you buy them, even to use them as frisbee you're still contributing to it. A little, but still.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

you can say of diablo 2 whatever you want but its fanbase is bigger then BG's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Steam is Valve's "Sollution to piratism" In the future their games will only be released via steam, Steam is a free tool with wich you can download their games after having payed for it.

It downloads the games in some sort of cache, meaning it's useless without your steam account

this way updates and patches will be automaticly installed, and copying will be futile.

My post was intentionally misleading; I wasn't insulting Diablo 2 as a product. What I meant was, by the time it was released, it was hardly "state of the art". There were already Diablo clones floating around; there were not-quite-Diablo-clones like PS:T and BG. Diablo 2 was nothing new, nothing innovative; it simply was.

I will not, of course, go into the typical "people who play Diablo 2 have lesser intellect than the ones who play BG or PS:T" rant.



Sounds like they'll lose customers who happen to still be using 56k. And yes, some people still do.

I guess you do huh winterfoxy??

But I love the idea actually.. steam I mean

winterfox, your right about d2 not being original <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
but that doesn't have to mean that it isn't a good game. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

it's prolly better if you haven't played D1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

could be, cause i havent played d1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I haven't played neither

what do you play then? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />, freelancer, Colin McRae 2, Racing Evoluzione, ...

waiting for Lock On

ah, you are one of the racing game lovers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

racing, RPG, flightsim, 3D shooter...

no RTS or TBS though

why not, those games can be cool to <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
although i found c & c generals not as good as expected <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

you will still be able the games, but also requiring some server authentication etc, this is just a project in devlopement

1 thing is for sure, they try at least, can't be told for the record companies they anlu sue you.

I just don't like RTS anymore, used to play it a lot

TBS just plain sucks imho

Well, thank goodness we aren't getting into people that play X have a greater intellect than people that play Y, because that's a loosing battle. Many people, myself included, play both. I probably prefer Baldur's Gate type games on the whole, but as far as Diablo and Diablo 2 go...I CERTAINLY got my money's worth. I can't think of any other game in which I've logged as many hours playing as I have those two. With the ability to make multi-player games with your friends on Blizzard's nice FREE servers, and find items that weren't available in the offline game...I played again and again. Being able to password your game and just play with your buddies, it was a blast.

There is room for all these sorts of games in the market. Or the developers wouldn't be making them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, I'm a proud owner of broadband.



My point exactly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

poeple who play pacman have lesser intelect than poeple who play tetris

LoL. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I find Pacman harder than Tetris, though. *chuckles*