New Arc Line is a fantasy adventure game combining traditional high magic with steampunk. The game revolves around the clash between old magic and human technology, with advanced steampunk societies fighting a timeless war against powerful sorcerers. Using a familiar RPG format, New Arc Line has a lot to offer RPG enthusiasts, even in Early Access, though it’s far from perfect and needs work before its full release.
To touch a bit more on the setting, New Arc Line tells the story of a conflict between powerful sorcerers and a new age of technology. Sorcerers, once ruling the world, have been supplanted by technology. Still, the conflict continues, threatening the new world and forcing you to decide which is the better choice for humankind—and elves, dwarves, and giants.
The clash between magic and machine is an interesting concept, and it’s almost unfortunate that New Arc Line is coming out so soon after Arcane, a phenomenal Netflix show with a similar theme. Nevertheless, New Arc Line’s world is unique, drawing inspiration from fantasy and steampunk without feeling derivative.
The sprawling landscapes and overall level design are probably my favorite aspects of New Arc Line.
Whenever possible, the game wows you with its visuals: huge steampunk cities, desolate wastelands with distant factories, and ancient arcane temples. New Arc Line paints a world of magic, imaginative technology, and the clash between them, creating chaotic yet visually interesting scenes.
Something I find especially interesting and exciting in New Arc Line is when the game dips unexpectedly into horror. At several points, New Arc Line shows a remarkable aptitude for body horror, mostly related to the plague’s storyline, showcasing grotesque mutants and monsters. This adds much to the steampunk side, a genre usually known for its clean, almost obnoxiously happy settings. It’s a bit of grime that reminds you that things aren’t always as they appear.
One big problem I have with New Arc Line is the writing.
Not that the story is full of plot holes, the characters are uninteresting, or the writing is bad, but it’s hard to judge the writing overall because New Arc Line suffers from poor English localization.
For those unaware, “localization” is the process of translating a game. New Arc Line was developed in the Czech Republic (I believe), and as an American who only reads English, I played the localized version.
These translation issues vary. At best, sentences feel clunky, with needless prose, but still convey the information. At worst, sentences are utterly confusing, becoming an obstacle. One obvious example is early in the game, during a multiple-choice quiz where the question is never actually asked.
At other points, characters’ emotions are poorly conveyed. Characters who should be screaming or angry end their sentences with periods, and alleged questions lack question marks. Sometimes, a character says something mundane, and your responses are unnecessarily violent or outraged. I’m not sure if this is intentional or a translation problem.
This, paired with the sometimes stiff animation, can really kill the excitement of cutscenes or fights, giving the game an unfinished feel. This is expected in Early Access, and I hope New Arc Line improves these areas before launch.
On a positive note, New Arc Line uses solid RPG elements that require thoughtful character and party building, with plenty of opportunities to use your skills. Players familiar with Baldur’s Gate III and D&D will recognize the system. However, the game uses a d100 system (superior, in my opinion) instead of the D&D d20. Instead of trying to roll a 20, players must roll a d100 below their skill level (scaling up to 100 in each skill) to succeed, allowing for more personalized builds and build expression.
New Arc Line offers a fresh RPG experience, blending high magic and steampunk. While still in Early Access, its unique setting, expansive landscapes, and innovative d100 system show promise, especially for RPG fans seeking personalized experiences. However, localization issues and stiff animations detract from the immersion, making the game feel unfinished. Despite these drawbacks, New Arc Line has the potential to become a standout.
Pros:
- Unique setting
- Amazing level design and landscapes
- Intuitive RPG mechanics using the d100 system
Cons:
- Poor localization can affect the player’s experience
- Shoddy animation in places can make the game feel cheap and visually uninteresting
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