Arcanum - Review @ GamersInfo

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Sorry, it's a new one on me!! Maybe some of our Codex members might be more aware of it!!
 
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I have never even heard about that fixpack. Some patch notes and compatability with official patches as well as mods would be nice.

Arcanum is a game I keep meaning to return to, but whenever I do try I end up just getting muddled in indecision regarding a character build and concept.
 
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Jun 17, 2007
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Play your favorite class, Gallifrey. There are plenty of good NPC's to pick up along the way to bolster any weak points.

This site has a nice rundown on the NPC's available, as well as a pretty good non-spoilerish walkthru.
I think the magic/alchemy/elfish route is a bit easier at first than the techie path. I always say I'm going to replay as a tech char, but I end up making my same half-elf girl every time. :)

Terra Arcanum has a lot of info and links as well. They also have a lot of fan patches, though I've never had to use any.
 
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Oct 18, 2006
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See, that's the problem, my favourite class could go either magic or tech. I generally like to play a thief type of character with some degree of talking skill.
My last attempt at playing had me torn between a Half Orc gunslinger mercenary type and an Elf magical rogue type. I like the Half Orc character a bit better, but the magic offers a lot of fun, while tech is a bit tedious though ultimately cool.
The Half Orc dialogue was fun for a while, but after a bit every conversation went pretty much the same route, from being insulted, to having the option of either being violent or groveling.
I also have about a half dozen other concepts that are perfectly possible to make in Arcanum kicking around in my head. It's the indecision that kills me!
 
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....
My last attempt at playing had me torn between a Half Orc gunslinger mercenary type and an Elf magical rogue type....
The Half Orc dialogue was fun for a while, but after a bit every conversation went pretty much the same route, from being insulted, to having the option of either being violent or groveling.
I also have about a half dozen other concepts that are perfectly possible to make in Arcanum kicking around in my head. It's the indecision that kills me!

I think that's called role-playing. ;)

My son went the Half-Orc route(one of the ugliest female chars I've ever seen, especially in a Victorian ballgown) when he played years ago and he could be heard chuckling maniacally from the computer room pretty frequently. I don't think he minded the resorting to violence part--he somehow acquired high tech skills and made lots of major UZI type things.
My problem the first time through was a bit similiar to yours, only I resolved my indecision by going for a little of everything. Man, does that ever not work. I had gathered some cool blueprints earlyish, only to find that when the components finally became available I could never build them. Same with my alchemical stuff--too techie.
So the next time thru it was with great relief that I found myself refused entry to the train as being one of those regressive magic users. :)

Hmmm, feels like it might be getting time for my annual playthrough . :)
 
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My problem the first time through was a bit similiar to yours, only I resolved my indecision by going for a little of everything. Man, does that ever not work. I had gathered some cool blueprints earlyish, only to find that when the components finally became available I could never build them. Same with my alchemical stuff--too techie.
So the next time thru it was with great relief that I found myself refused entry to the train as being one of those regressive magic users. :)

I've never finished the game, nor even come close. My furthest foray was with a bit-of-everything Halfling and yeah, it really didn't work. None of his skills were high enough to be effective and the game just kind of fell apart.
I think the only way I'll ever complete the game is if I essentially put blinders on, paying attention only to the things which effect my character, ignoring the rest.
Because the game has something for everyone, I keep running into things and thinking "ooooh... that'd be cool!" and end up restarting.

Arcanum is the only game which gives me these troubles!
 
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