Figured I could make a topic for people playing Arcania to voice their opinions on the game. Keep in mind that people interested in knowing whether or not they should buy Arcania might also read it, so keep spoilers in spoiler tags.
In any case, I got it yesterday and I've played through the first part of the game now. I'm about level 10, and I've completed most quests in my first major city (a big castle, rather cool looking).
Currently focusing on melee combat, mainly because it seems the most interactive - dodging, swinging, blocking, it's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it. I'll probably play through it as a mage afterward, but not as a ranger; I don't think Arcania is the kind of game I can replay three times in a row.
I should point out that I more or less agree with the review Vox wrote, but I'll take the time to discuss certain specifics regardless.
Options
On to the game itself. First of all, there are a lot of options, so you might want to check out the options page before starting to play. If you turn on "Roleplaying activities" and Gothic difficulty (it's above Hard, which sounds about right), turn off all the handhelping stuff (quest markers etc), you're getting close to the "Gothic feeling". Personally I'm playing on Normal for now, though it is a bit easy so I might bump it up to Hard. It's nice to see that they've added such options.
Graphics
The graphics are splendid, especially the weather effects. I don't really have anything to add here.
Sound
Solid, through and through, with the exception of certain dialogues. For some reason, the intro section is the worst (by far). I like this Diego better than any other except the original one.
Gameplay
Melee is pretty fun at least, though a lot of enemies are a bit too predictable. Ranged enemies are the only real problem so far, but according to Vox it gets worse later on.
The formula of going to a new zone, doing quests, new zone, doing quests gets predictable and repetitive, which is a shame, as the zones are generally worth exploring and a lot of fun. With a more flexible teleport system and more reasons to go back or explore freely, I suspect Arcania could've turned into some of a classic.
In fact, if they pull a NotR on this one and add more content/expand the existing world, Arcania could actually turn into a very good game.
I'll add a bit more info once I've actually completed it. If others are playing it and have opinions, feel free to chime in.
Bottom line: So far, so good. I enjoy it. It's not on par with Risen, but above most similar games. My end verdict will most likely be that it's around or slightly above Two Worlds and Div 2, mainly because the story is actually somewhat interesting.
Edit:
I have a question: Is the game non-linear? It would seem that way based on a choice I made yesterday (it might not have been an actual choice, but a classic BioWare/Bethesda illusion of a choice):
In any case, I got it yesterday and I've played through the first part of the game now. I'm about level 10, and I've completed most quests in my first major city (a big castle, rather cool looking).
Currently focusing on melee combat, mainly because it seems the most interactive - dodging, swinging, blocking, it's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it. I'll probably play through it as a mage afterward, but not as a ranger; I don't think Arcania is the kind of game I can replay three times in a row.
I should point out that I more or less agree with the review Vox wrote, but I'll take the time to discuss certain specifics regardless.
Options
On to the game itself. First of all, there are a lot of options, so you might want to check out the options page before starting to play. If you turn on "Roleplaying activities" and Gothic difficulty (it's above Hard, which sounds about right), turn off all the handhelping stuff (quest markers etc), you're getting close to the "Gothic feeling". Personally I'm playing on Normal for now, though it is a bit easy so I might bump it up to Hard. It's nice to see that they've added such options.
Graphics
The graphics are splendid, especially the weather effects. I don't really have anything to add here.
Sound
Solid, through and through, with the exception of certain dialogues. For some reason, the intro section is the worst (by far). I like this Diego better than any other except the original one.
Gameplay
Melee is pretty fun at least, though a lot of enemies are a bit too predictable. Ranged enemies are the only real problem so far, but according to Vox it gets worse later on.
The formula of going to a new zone, doing quests, new zone, doing quests gets predictable and repetitive, which is a shame, as the zones are generally worth exploring and a lot of fun. With a more flexible teleport system and more reasons to go back or explore freely, I suspect Arcania could've turned into some of a classic.
In fact, if they pull a NotR on this one and add more content/expand the existing world, Arcania could actually turn into a very good game.
I'll add a bit more info once I've actually completed it. If others are playing it and have opinions, feel free to chime in.
Bottom line: So far, so good. I enjoy it. It's not on par with Risen, but above most similar games. My end verdict will most likely be that it's around or slightly above Two Worlds and Div 2, mainly because the story is actually somewhat interesting.
Edit:
I have a question: Is the game non-linear? It would seem that way based on a choice I made yesterday (it might not have been an actual choice, but a classic BioWare/Bethesda illusion of a choice):
I chose to help the rebels in Stewark instead of helping the baron.