prakaa: So yeah, GOG is like this. A lot of games I thought were crap have turned out to be good.
I double checked this game on sites like gamespot, where it seemed to receive a relatively worse score (around 7).
I liked Fallout, though my time didn't allow for me to completely finish it, but I like the look of this game and am interested in buying it, but what would make me buy this game more than a game such as Gabriel Knight?

Porkdish: Acanum has tough learning curve, unlike modern day rpg's that tend to baby you along. The story is fairly interesting and the setting is certainly unique, but the actual gameplay can be very unforgiving.
If you're looking to 'switch off', relax and enjoy a good story then a pixel hunt adventure like Gabriel Knight 1 is a fine idea.
More modern RPGs will hold your hand (in gameplay and leveling up) and steer you to battles and quests suitable for your character. Arcanum wont. You always have to pay attention to who you're talking to, what you're saying and how you build your character.
Its all too easy to suddenly bite of more than you can chew, or go where you shouldn't and wind up dead or worse mess up your character or the story. Even if you grow too powerful to fall in battle, you can still quite easily kill the wrong npc at the wrong time and bugger up the main quest.
If you're prepared to give it the attention it deserves then Arcanum will reward you. I used to hate Victoriana and Violin music. But I now love the steampunk setting, and listen to the soundtrack on occasion, just to trigger fond memories of the game.
I have only completed it twice all the way through over many years of owning it, but I have had many start-and-stop attempts. It doesn't matter how well you know the game it still requires a lot of time and attention.

deejrandom: I love this game. I bought it about a year after it first hit the market. I had the CD's for years, then a flood came and took out a good chunk of my gaming collection. Yeah the game was flawed, but it was worth playing.
(What is funny is that few people seem to remember that the original Fallout shipped in much the sme condition: In fact they released a patch that made all previous saves useless when installed....yet that is considered a classic today.)
I remember comparing this game to Final Fantasy X on the PS2. Now, I must tell you I love the Final Fantasy games: I have played everyone that came out. Yet I was really disappointed in FFX. Part of the reason is because of this game: It was a sprawling open world RPG that was just fun to explore. Maybe it does have a bit of learning curve, but it is well worth it. With all the options and sidequests, I don't remember actually getting to the main quest much... It really did feel like a spiritual sequel to the fallout series.
I am playing through Arcanum again. I can see why I liked it way back when... Though the graphics may not be the best (Really is more of an opinion though. I like the graphics) Irealize this game did a lot of modern RPG conventions before they became modern RPG conventions... Like Fast travel. Yet you never feel coddled or babied in this game.
Though the game may be 10 years old, it is well worth playing.
And, btw, the other game that made me feel disappointed in FFX? Planescape: Torment. If you can get your hands on that one, it is well worth playing.

prakaa: I love Steampunk, but someone's pffered me Mass Effect. Have you played both?
I still think I might go for Arcanum, Mass effect sounds good but I'm not quite sure
Opinions?

prakaa: I've got Baldur's and Fallout, and am trying to find Planescape
Sorry to hear abput your game collection...

prakaa: I love Steampunk, but someone's pffered me Mass Effect. Have you played both?
I still think I might go for Arcanum, Mass effect sounds good but I'm not quite sure
Opinions?

BrotherPain: I've played the hell out of both Mass Effect and Arcanum, and I don't really think they compare. Arcanum is a Fallout-ish classic CRPG with lots and lots of freedom to go and do whatever you want, and to build your character exactly how you want to. Enemies are not levelled with you, and if you travel the main map before you're ready and run into, say, a werewolf, you'll be proper fucked.
Mass Effect on the other hand is an RPG-shooter hybrid from Bioware, and is built around a few main quest areas in much the same way KOTOR and Dragon Age are. Your character is much more locked into a role and there's usually only three ways of doing things (diplomatic, jerk-ass or somewhere inbetween).
I'd suggest getting both, but they're totally different games. Get the first one because you want a non-linear classic CRPG and get the second one to get that patented Bioware formula :)

BrotherPain: I'd suggest getting both, but they're totally different games. Get the first one because you want a non-linear classic CRPG and get the second one to get that patented Bioware formula :)

Stuff: Well said . . . =)

AlaCarcuss: Yeah I'm not even certain that either of the Mass Effects actually qualify as true RPG's. They're more like third-person shooters with a cover system (ala Gears of War) with a few RPG elements thrown in to satisfy the box labeling. (and Bioware's rep as an RPG developer).

Stuff: I agree, it's hard to find a good RPG these days. Arcanum was an instant buy for me . . . $6 is a steal for this game, IMHO. I play games like Arcanum for years . . .=)