Release Date: August 22, 2001
A classic, isometric cRPG, set in an original world combining traditional fantasy elements with nineteenth-century industrial era. Title was developed by the team of Troika Games studio, founded by former employees of Interplay and co-authors of the iconic RPG, Fallout.
Arcanum for PC features an unprecedented world where magic intertwines with technology and a traveler may hold a pistol in one hand and a flaming sword in the other. The game was created by a team of people who worked on the unforgettable Fallout cRPG series.
Arcanum, released for PC, can be regarded as one of the largest virtual worlds created so far, featuring its own history, mythology and culture. This is a place where big industrial cities are decorated with castles and factories, inhabited by dwarves, humans, orcs and elves. The place where ancient runes and steam, spells and machines, wizardry and science all come together.
Just as in Fallout, player can select a predefined characters or create one of his own. In the game we get countless ways of exploring the world and nearly unlimited possibilities of character development. The main game's main theme is the competition between magic and technology – two "opposing sides of the same coin" and we must decide in which way our hero will evolve. In addition to basic statistics and skills that each character can develop at his own discretion, other powers depend on the chosen direction of development. Magic-wielding character learns new spells of several branches of arcane knowledge and relies mainly on magical items. On the other hand, the technologist develops his skills in fields of science and technology, which allows him to construct increasingly complex machines, rendering magical items virtually useless.
Developers decided to implement some proven ideas from other role-playing games, like the three stages of NPCs skill training, from adept through expert to master, present e.g. in the Might & Magic series. While almost anyone can train us to adept, it is a lot harder to find a master trainer. Another borrowed thing is a deity system, which features major and minor gods who can accept our offering and give us their blessing, boosting various statistics or characteristics of our hero.
Very helpful during the game is the journal where all received quests, including those already completed, are automatically recorded. In addition, we collect gossips and local news allowing us to learn about interesting places and events on a regular basis, which can be useful in completing quests not directly related to the main plot of the game.
September 1, 2021
Baldur's Gate 3 may turn out to be the savior of isometric RPGs, which are slowly slipping into a niche again. There's still some time until the release of the full edition, so let's see here's a list of iconic isometric RPGs that you have to know.
June 3, 2021
Many RPGs deserved proper follow-ups, yet they have been sitting on the shelf with poor prospects for the future for years. Here is a sad reminder of the great role-playing games that are unlikely to be revived any time soon.
Today Arcanum is a forgotten title if you aren't in the niche of isometric RPGs, nevertheless, it has earned a small group of fans. Technically it was a bit lame, it's true, but it worked incredibly on the imagination and in many ways was simply outstanding.
video games
Hubert Sosnowski
November 13, 2024
Tim Cain talked about the ideas and plans Troika had for Arcanum 2, the sequel to the excellent steampunk RPG from 2001.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 5, 2023
Top downloads for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Video Game:
mod Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - character editor v.1.8 - December 10, 2001
mod Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - Arcanum High Resolution Patch v.1.1a - March 15, 2015
mod Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - Unofficial Arcanum Patch v.0.91225 - May 1, 2016
demo Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - - October 3, 2001
mod Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - High Quality Townmaps - March 15, 2015
mod Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - Dinputto8 (DirectInput Fix) v.1.0.78.0 - August 5, 2025
System Requirements for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Video Game:
PC / Windows
Recommended System Requirements:
Pentium II 266MHz, 64MB RAM, graphic card.
Game Ratings for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Video Game.
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