There's one problem with role playing games and it's one I've been waiting to see solved for ages. When playing historic or fantasy genre RPG, I always get into a situation that a sword or bow and arrow won't solve. A shotgun on the other hand, now that would work like a charm. Likewise with futuristic settings for these games sometimes your trusty laser gun just won't cut the mustard but a dirty great fireball cast from your fingertips has untold possibilities. It always seems that in these games you can only have one or the other, but never both. That's where Arcanum comes in.

Set at a time when technology is just beginning to take off in an industrial revolution powered by the new steam engine, the society is similar to that of Victorian England with individual classes of people and a set sociological order. But there is more than one race thrown into this mix. Elves, Dwarfs, Gnomes, Orcs, Ogres and Halflings live alongside humans with a degree of cross breeding between races. Into this already crowded world now come the magickers, those who can use the arcane arts. From the outset it is more than apparent that this is an exceedingly rich world to play in and one that you can immerse yourself in completely.

As with all role play games you get the opportunity right at the start of the game to create your character. The amount of options available are far too numerous to mention but with a very limited number of character points to spend at the start, your choice of how to spread the points is crucial. The choice of one skill over another or one spell instead of another will alter the way you approach even the earliest of encounters. The advancement system is very simple and based around the now familiar points system.

Game play is very similar to many other games within the role play genre. Completely mouse-based, the game is controlled with a simple point and click system. The different screens displaying skills, weapons, tools and spells are all simple to navigate and require little time to get used to. The story line is complex with many sub plots and additional missions or quest available along the way. The NPC (non player characters) are greatly varied and well scripted, with a very real sense of depth apparent in every community you come across, from small villages to large cities.

The graphics are well done with attention to little details only increasing the desire to see more. The effects of such things as the spells are great, each is unique and worth casting just to watch the fireworks! Explosions, animations and movies are all done with a real touch of class and always in keeping with the world in which they are set.

Some of the NPC have scripted dialog that will be played as speech rather than text only and the voices always fit the characters, adding an extra level of realism and drawing you in a little deeper. Other sounds such as those of battle, general effects and environmental sounds are nothing to write home about but never bad or out of place and again aid in the immersion of the game.

The combination of both old and new worlds to create Arcanum is nothing less than inspired especially with the depth that this game has. I love the fact that it is entirely possible to leap into battle against a group of no-good scumbags with a large and very sharp sword in one hand and an entire encyclopaedia's worth of spells to cast with the other. Then, having killed the majority of bad guys, you can sheath your sword and shoot the fleeing deviants in the back with something resembling an elephant gun. Add to this the rich and vibrant world populated with many interesting people and you're onto a real winner. This game will give the role play enthusiasts real entertainment and those new to the genre no better place to start. Even after many hours of playing I can find nothing so bad with the game as to make me want to write about it. Although the actual play of the game is nothing new and there are few surprises for those that have played many role play games, I feel that this game will last and holds much re-playability.

I like Arcanum, it's an immersing RPG with excellent graphics, a large and detailed gaming world, satisfying game play and an ingenious mixture of magic, swords and guns. If you enjoyed playing such games as Balder's Gate or the Fallout Series then this is a must have title.

Reviewed by AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).