Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Thumbnail

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura similar games & best alternatives

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

Imagine a place of wonder, where magick and technology coexist in an uneasy balance, and an adventurer might just as easily wield a flintlock pistol as a flaming sword. Welcome to the land of Arcanum.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG)

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    Pros

    • Extensive character customization and roleplay freedom
    • Deep and immersive fantasy-steampunk world
    • Multiple quest solutions and high replayability
    • Rich story and moral complexity
    • Active fan community with patches and mods

    Cons

    • Dated graphics and interface
    • Buggy and unstable without unofficial patches
    • Clunky and unbalanced combat system
    • Steep learning curve and lack of tutorials
    • Requires patience and sustained attention

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have extensive freedom to customize characters, choose playstyles, and solve quests in multiple ways."

      Capsule for Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

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    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Combat and character progression require strategic thinking and skillful planning, though some reviews note complexity and learning curve."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

      "Character builds and skill development require thoughtful planning and mastery, though combat can be unbalanced and buggy."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal exploration and story progression rather than competing with others; multiplayer exists but not emphasized."

      Capsule for No Time No Time

      "Focus is on personal roleplay and exploration rather than competing against others; multiplayer is minimal and not emphasized."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      5

      "Highly replayable with multiple classes, quests, and outcomes; players report returning repeatedly over many years."

      Capsule for Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition

      "Highly replayable with many playthroughs reported; players return repeatedly for new experiences."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Players manage and cooperate with a fixed team of companions with unique personalities and abilities."

      Capsule for Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut

      "Players can recruit companions with unique personalities and manage party dynamics, though companions act semi-autonomously."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Extensive character customization, multiple approaches to combat and quests, and mod support encourage creativity."

      Capsule for Baldur's Gate 3 Baldur's Gate 3

      "Strong emphasis on character customization, crafting, and multiple solutions to quests."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared challenge and mutual respect; no evidence of trash talk or power imposition."

      Capsule for Voidigo Voidigo

      "Interactions emphasize roleplay and mutual respect; no evidence of power-over or trash talk dynamics."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative and immersive steampunk fantasy setting provide players with an escape from real life through story and atmosphere."

      Capsule for Sovereign Syndicate Sovereign Syndicate

      "Players immerse in a rich fantasy-steampunk world to escape real life, with deep story and atmosphere."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -5

      "Engagement is driven by intrinsic interest, nostalgia, and personal desire rather than obligation."

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    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      5

      "Multiple ways to approach quests, diverse character builds, and modding encourage experimentation and exploration of mechanics."

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      "Players experiment with diverse character builds, skills, and quest approaches."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      5

      "Open world with many hidden areas, secrets, and optional routes encourages discovery."

      Capsule for Baby Steps Baby Steps

      "Open world with many hidden locations and secrets encourages discovery."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      5

      "Extensive options for character gender, appearance, quirks, and roleplaying support strong self-expression."

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      "Character creation and roleplay allow for strong self-expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Set in a detailed fantasy world with steampunk elements, magic, and fictional kingdoms."

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      "Set in a unique fantasy-steampunk world with magic, mythical races, and imaginative fiction."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      2

      "Some social interaction via multiplayer and community mods, but mostly individual play; community is nostalgic and small but dedicated."

      Capsule for FlatOut 2 FlatOut 2

      "Community and fan patches/mods exist; some social interaction through companions and fan communities."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills, learn game mechanics, and improve strategies over repeated playthroughs."

      Capsule for Garbage: Hobo Prophecy Garbage: Hobo Prophecy

      "Players develop skills, learn game mechanics, and improve through multiple playthroughs."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with long sessions and minimal physical activity."

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      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with long sessions and minimal physical activity."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires sustained attention and focus; not suited for casual or background play."

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      "Requires sustained attention and focus; not suited for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      1

      "Some emotional connection to characters and their stories, but limited to in-game relationships."

      Capsule for 60 Parsecs! 60 Parsecs!

      "Some emotional connection with companions and community, but limited to in-game relationships."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Player leads a party of companions and makes key decisions affecting story and party dynamics."

      Capsule for Avadon: The Black Fortress Avadon: The Black Fortress

      "Players lead a party of companions with some autonomy, balancing group dynamics."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      5

      "Strong progression through leveling, unlocking classes, acquiring items, and building characters."

      Capsule for Tales of Maj'Eyal Tales of Maj'Eyal

      "Strong progression through skills, items, crafting, and character development."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Atmospheric and immersive gameplay provides flow and tension release, though combat and bugs can cause frustration."

      Capsule for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

      "Atmospheric and immersive but combat and bugs can cause frustration and tension."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyable soundtrack and art style provide sensory pleasure, though graphics are dated."

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      "Enjoyable soundtrack and art style provide sensory pleasure, though graphics are dated."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal experience rather than social recognition or popularity."

      Capsule for Persona 4 Golden Persona 4 Golden

      "Focus is on individual experience rather than social recognition or popularity."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Deep narrative with branching quests, character development, and immersive lore."

      Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

      "Deep narrative with branching quests, moral ambiguity, and rich lore."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Requires planning character builds, quest approaches, and tactical combat decisions."

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      "Requires planning character builds, quest approaches, and combat tactics."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspense and tension in story and combat, but overall moderate emotional intensity."

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      "Some suspense in quest outcomes and combat, but overall moderate emotional intensity."

    • Value

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      5

      "High perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and low price."

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      "High perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and low price."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      1

      "Combat exists but is discouraged; violence has consequences and is not glorified."

      Capsule for Golden Light Golden Light

      "Combat is present but players can choose pacifist or violent approaches; violence is not glorified."

    • Survival

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      3

      "Players manage resources and avoid defeat in a dynamic, competitive environment."

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    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Expression, Exploration.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Last update: 30/04/2026