Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (aka Arcanum) is a single player computer role-playing game developed by Troika Games and published by Sierra Entertainment.

Arcanum has been designed to work with multiple styles of characters. A few of these include, but are not limited to, thieving, diplomatic, technological, magickal and fighting character styles. All styles of play are available regardless of the race and gender choices you have made. For instance, an elf, being more magickal, would have a more difficult time mastering technology than a dwarf, but the option is available if you wish to pursue that type of character.

Below are just a few examples of the types of characters you may want to try out while playing Arcanum.

- magickal or technological thief
- pure thief with no magick or technological abilities
- assassin
- debutante or gentleman assassin/thief
- debutante or gentleman with no violent tendencies
- socially savvy, charismatic gambler
- super good or super evil (mage or technologist)
- warrior with no magick or technological skills
- balanced character using equal amounts of magick and tech
- gunfighter
- inventor
- a very dumb character
- a very ugly character
- a very persuasive character
- a very charismatic or uncharismatic character

You will find that the world reacts differently to these various character types and that alternate paths as well as quests are available to them throughout the game.

While playing the game, if you come across a particularly difficult combat situation, you may wish to switch to turn based mode.


Gameplay in Arcanum consists of travelling through the game world, visiting locations and interacting with the local inhabitants, typically in real-time. Occasionally, inhabitants will require the player's assistance in various tasks, which the player may choose to solve in order to acquire special items, experience points or new followers. Many quests offer multiple solutions for the player, depending on his playing style, which may consist of combat, persuasion, thievery or bribery. Ultimately, players will encounter hostile opponents (if such encounters are not avoided using stealth or diplomacy), in which case they and the player will engage in combat, which can be real-time or turn-based.