New Arc Line Review Summary

Engaging story with creative potential and great voice acting in a well-executed steampunk atmosphere, but lacks developer updates, inventory sorting, and suffers from poor optimization.

Game shows strong potential: Reviewers consistently praise the game's promising concepts and solid foundation, suggesting strong potential for future development.

Compared favorably to Arcanum: Many reviews draw direct comparisons to the classic RPG Arcanum, often calling the game a worthy successor and praising its nostalgic feel.

Story is engaging and creative: The story is consistently praised as interesting, engaging, and creative, with a vivid plot that doesn't drag.

Steampunk atmosphere well executed: The steampunk and teslapunk aesthetics are highlighted as a major strength, with many appreciating the immersive and well-crafted world design.

Graphics are widely praised: Reviewers frequently praise the game's visual presentation, noting beautiful and high-quality graphics that enhance the overall experience.

Lack of developer updates: Players frequently complain that the game has not received updates for many months, leading to concerns that the developers have stopped working on it and the project may be incomplete or dead.

Missing inventory sorting: The inventory system lacks any auto-sort or sorting functionality, making item management clunky and confusing for players.

Needs optimization fixes: Players report that the game still needs optimization improvements to run smoothly, indicating performance issues.

Bugs present: General complaints about bugs existing in the game, though specific details are not provided.

Limited character customization: Character creation is limited to only two or three races and two or three classes, offering minimal customization options.

Steampunk and magic setting: The setting combines Victorian steampunk, magic, and industrial elements, creating a unique steampunk universe with conflict between technology and magic.

Technology versus magic conflict: A central conflict between technology and magic drives the narrative, with faction systems, branching paths, and characters offering different perspectives on this divide.

Crafting and loot systems: The game includes a well-received crafting system, plenty of loot with a Diablo-style inventory, items with weight but unlimited space, and abundant interaction.

Compared to BG3 and DOS2: The game is frequently likened to Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity Original Sin 2, described as a BG3 for the steampunk generation in scope and gameplay.

Limited character creation: Character creation currently offers three races and three classes, but is described as light with limitations like two races (human/elf) and two classes (mage/techno) with subclasses.

General optimization is poor: The game suffers from severe optimization flaws, with players reporting overall poor performance, stuttering, and frame rate drops. One comparison indicates it runs markedly worse than a high-quality title like Baldur's Gate 3.

Low frame rates on high-end hardware: The game struggles to maintain acceptable frame rates, with many players experiencing 20-30 FPS even on modern high-end hardware. Specific areas like the slums and lower settings do not improve performance.

Crashes and loading failures: Players encounter frustrating stability problems, including game crashes, freezes, loading failures, and excessively long initial load times. These issues disrupt gameplay and create a poor user experience.

Camera optimization needs work: Camera movement is sluggish and unresponsive, with a drag effect that hampers control. This negatively impacts gameplay fluidity and player responsiveness.

Collision bugs present: Collision detection is faulty, leading to characters or objects passing through each other or getting stuck. This undermines immersion and affects core gameplay mechanics.

Wait for updates: Many reviewers warn against purchasing the game in its current state, citing it as unfinished or alpha-level. They advise waiting for full release, substantial updates, or optimization fixes before considering a purchase.

Unique RPG appeal: Several reviewers appreciate the game's setting, Victorian steampunk atmosphere, or similarity to classic RPGs like Arcanum and Baldur's Gate 3. They find it enjoyable or worth trying despite its flaws.

Recommended by some: A minority of reviewers recommend the game, praising its polish, unique story, and overall enjoyment. These positive views are less frequent than negative ones but offer a contrasting perspective.

Motion sickness risk: One reviewer warns that the camera movement may cause motion sickness for sensitive players, making the game unplayable for some. This is a niche but specific accessibility issue.

Story vs. issues: A reviewer notes that recommendation depends heavily on interest in the story, but UI, pacing, and progression issues detract from the experience. This highlights mixed feelings about the non-gameplay elements.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00.

Game completion: 10.0h.

Players find the game boring, slow-paced, buggy, and unenjoyable from the start, with no evidence that it becomes fun later.

Friction: slow pacing; boring combat; poor UI and tutorial; bugs and crashes; steep early difficulty; cliché and repetitive quests.

Optimistic Early Adopter: plays through bugs, enjoys story and setting, forgives rough edges for potential. Motivation: support development and enjoy early access taste of a promising CRPG. Stance: buy.

Cautious Optimist: cautiously follows development, waits for updates or sale, but acknowledges potential. Motivation: eventual complete experience; wants to support but not at the cost of a broken game. Stance: sale.

Disappointed Veteran: critical evaluator, expects substantial content and regular updates, compares to finished RPGs. Motivation: a polished, complete game; frustrated by lack of progress and shallow systems. Stance: no buy.

Steam Deck: The game has a critical crash after the prologue on Steam Deck, making it effectively unplayable. Additionally, its point-and-click control scheme is poorly suited for the Deck's default input, requiring tinkering or external accessories.