10 Best Western RPGs Of The Noughties

10. Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is an isometric RPG developed by Troika Games. Released in 2001, this game sees the player explore a world of magic and fantasy currently undergoing its own industrial revolution. In this world, magic and technology cannot exist side by side. One can cause the other to either not work or have violent reactions.

The game's main plot is your usual fantasy fun, full of different races, wars, and villains. This game, however, is non-linear. Your choices can cause different paths to open or be locked off entirely. Even the game's sidequests allow the player to solve them in multiple ways.

As previously mentioned, the setting of this game is what really makes it stand out. The juxtaposition of the purity of magic with the dirt and filth of early technology divides the races of the land. Elves and some humans believe in magic, whereas the majority of other races enjoy the accessibility of technology. This causes tensions in communities that show throughout the game.

There were many other games that may be more streamlined than this one, but few have such a unique and interesting setting.