Let's settle this once and for all! Who's the Top Dog?

[Crispy]

Alright Codex, we all know that when it comes to describing the greatest computer roleplaying games of all time, for us, it comes down to the Big Three -- Arcanum, Fallout, and Torment. These three titles have consistently been at the top of the RPG Codex' worship list as far as anyone can remember, pretty much neck-and-neck through the years, but it's time to stop waffling and to pick a clear winner! No more fiddling about. No more dancing around the issue! We decide, here and now!

Contestant number one is Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura from the great Troika Studios. Released in late Summer of the year 2000, it came onto the RPG scene rather quietly, but those who found this gem and enjoyed it will certainly never forget it! A powerhouse when it comes to great gameworld design, strong C&C and wonderful atmosphere, it nevertheless suffers somewhat when it comes to its combat and in the ol’ graphics department (although it ain’t no ugly sow). Shall Arcanum stand on top?

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Next up is the megahit Fallout. A post-nuclear heavyweight, Interplay’s excellent apocalyptic tour-de-force from 1997 features complex C&C, good combat and story, as well as nicely rendered zombies, mutants and radscorpions, but is weakened by some nasty bugs and can’t always seem to go the distance in terms of game length. A favorite for many thousands of fans, is Fallout the greatest of all?

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Our final contender is the oft-misunderstood, yet brilliant Planescape: Torment! Black Isle Studios must have had a nice stash of peyote back in '99 when they wrote this one up, because its story is a real trip and is deep, deep man! Pretty good graphics, incredible plot and character depth are this game’s forte. Not a heavy puncher though; its weakness is in its combat. Is Torment your choice for Top Dog?

A winner must be chosen! Make your selection wisely! Who shall be the champ?

 

[Volourn]

I vote for none fo them. Only FO belongs in the discussion, btw.

 

[Crispy]

I see we have another vote for Fallout above! Who shall reign, Codex?

 

[Stereotypical Villain]

Arcanum.

 

[Junior Boy]

I vote Torment. I confess to having not played Arcanum, but Torment gets my vote just because nothing like it has ever been done, and for it's sprawling dialogue. I like to read and immerse myself while I play, and Torment allowed me to do that in a way the genre will never see again. Therefore, due to its artistic importance, PS:T, nigga.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Arcanum.

 

[made]

I was pleasantly surprised that this was not yet another DA troll thread.

Arcanum, being the best RPG ever, obviously wins.

 

[Silellak]

I still haven't played Arcanum, so I'll have to go with PS:T.

 

[Junior Boy]

Now I fucking want to play Arcanum.

 

[Silellak]

Now I fucking want to play Arcanum.

This.

 

[made]

Me too, but it won't start after I had to reinstall windows.

 

[Crispy]

Choose, I say Codex! CHOOSE!

 

[roll-a-die]

Arcanum of steamworks and magick obscura.

 

[Fat Dragon]

Fallout. Best game of the three imo and the only one that doesn't have horrendous box art.

 

[Twinkle]

FO wins by having no elves or scarred emos on the box.

 

[Jaesun]

I can't fucking decide!

 

[DriacKin]

Fallout is the only option on this list that's worth playing more than once.

 

[Michael Ellis]

All three are great games.
Perhaps Fallout the most fun.
But only one transcends and caused me to reflect on my own existence.
PST is my vote.

 

[Volourn]

"But only one transcends and caused me to reflect on my own existence."

What an emo. I bet you cut yourself to sleep every night thinking of PST. RIGHT!?!

 

[Satori (original)]

"But only one transcends and caused me to reflect on my own existence."

What an emo. I bet you cut yourself to sleep every night thinking of PST. RIGHT!?!

Not the point, it had the greatest emotional reaction on him, no matter how faggy you perceive it to be. Have you ever had such a strong emotion as his? If not can you really say you appreciate games as much as this man?

 

[Crispy]

All three contenders are putting up a fight! Who wants it more, Codex? Who shall it be?

 

[Jaime Lannister]

Combat: Fallout
Story: PS:T
Quest Design: Arcanum
Setting: 3-way tie

Fallout is eliminated due to combat being the worst part of all 3 games.

PS:T is eliminated due to story being possible in any medium, and actually weakened due to being a game.

Arcanum wins because quest design is unique to video games and essential to RPGs.

 

[Gragt]

I love PST but Arcanum is simply the better RPG. Fallout is of course very good but mostly opens the way by introducing some mechanics that were improved later by other games; yet it still stands tall and dwarfs many of the lesser offerings of the genre.

 

[Martin]

I say Arcanum and Fallout 2 are a close match for all-time top dog. So I voted Arcanum in your list.

Fallout 1 just doesnt have enough content and scale to compare properly to Arcanum although it provides a more consistent experience.


Planescape Torment's charms dont make up for its faults in the way the two top contenders do in my opinion, so it gets bumped down.

 

[oscar]

Nothing has ever done it for me as much as Arcanum did.