Spuddley on 19/12/2002 at 21:12
My opinion:
I have played a bunch of RPGs in my long gaming career (started with Atari 2600 and Apple II), and have enjoyed them all. But Arx rules (wish I had bought it sooner) and hear is why: it is a ROLE playing game - I feel like I am really there, I am playing a role. Most of the time I am not thinking about stats, mouse clicking, turns, level advancement, or any of that crap. I am thinking, “HOLY COW! that thing is gonna beat the snot out of me if I am not careful!”
Not since Thief and System Shock have I been so immersed in a game. I love the atmosphere, sound, 1st person perspective, story (so far - I am only 1/2 way finished), and fantasy setting.
Morrowind was good, but I was never really lost in the game to the same degree. I am not exactly sure why, it never seemed to establish the same atmosphere. I was too focused on statistics, items, etc. In Arx, I am mission focused, and stats and items are simply a means to an end. Don’t get me wrong, I love how in RPGs, characters progress and become stronger, I just want the statistics to take a back seat.
Other games like Dungeon Siege, Diablo, Fallout, and Baulders Gate, all great games, never achieve the same, “I am now in a dark cave” factor because they are 3rd person. You are not the person in the game. You are a spectator, and you are very focused on a mouse pointer that is floating around on the screen. In Arx, most of the time I lose the keyboard and mouse, and I just think that I am there. That is why I love FPS games, and that is why I love Thief, System Shock, Deus Ex, and Arx - these games scare the crap outa me (especially SS2). Final Fantasy? Yeah, it’s like playing an interactive movie where the action is turn based. It is interesting for a while (the story is engaging), but I’d just as soon watch a movie or read a book.
Sure, Arx has a few problems, but I forgive them all. Dang it!
Just my opinion. Love the game - hope they make more.
:D
-Spud
