[EARLY ACCESS] New Arc Line

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• DEVELOPER: Dreamate
• PUBLISHER: Fulqrum Publishing
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: CRPG
• RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2024
• INITIAL PRICE: 19.99€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

New Arc Line has several exciting features as a story-driven CRPG. It creates an impressive world alongside a solid combat system. The most intriguing part of the game is how the story merges magic and technology, giving the different characters you meet across the world a unique flavor. However, since this is an Early Access game, it has many issues, including a disjointed story, bugs, optimization problems, and a lack of basic polish.

The game boasts several key features, such as character customization, companions, detailed stats, and turn-based combat. While it doesn’t include a highly detailed character editor, the simple customization system still offers many options, such as different hairstyles, skin tones, and facial features. Currently, only two classes are available: Voodoo Mage and Dieselpunk Engineer. However, these classes offer significant depth and flexibility. You can experiment with various playstyles, from using melee and magic to wielding firearms and mechanical fists, making each style unique and interesting.

A Choice-Driven Game

The system of core statistics is another excellent feature and includes traits like Deception, Knowledge of Magic, and Machinery. These stats make the game more complex and strategic. Skills like Charm, Perception, and Observation are particularly useful. Unlike strong physical attacks, which a team member can compensate for, these skills significantly improve the gameplay experience. If you fail a random challenge, you can still progress by paying or trying other methods. The Perception skill is especially important for finding hidden paths and extra content.

On the other hand, the companions feel generic and somewhat uninspired. Although you can earn their respect, it doesn’t leave a significant impact on the overall gameplay experience. For example, you help Mick solve his debts, but that story doesn’t go any further. Nevertheless, each companion brings useful abilities that add strategic depth. The game becomes more dynamic and interesting when you manage multiple aspects and use different skills in combat.

One aspect that definitely deserves praise in New Arc Line is the world-building. The steampunk setting, focused on the conflict between magic and technology, creates a rich and immersive world. The main story involves morally complex choices, such as rigging an election and exposing the systemic discrimination of mages. This is where the game truly shines.

There are many places to explore, and each part of the main story includes large, detailed maps. Exploring these areas is interesting, and clicking on all the interactive elements was genuinely fun. Some choices, like influencing the city’s stance on magic, carry significant weight and provide insight into deeper consequences. Additionally, the ALT key highlights interactive objects, which is extremely useful.

The Story Starts Confusingly, But Gradually Becomes Clearer as it Develops

Unfortunately, the quality of the dialogue varies, and character interactions often feel superficial. The beginning of the game is particularly boring and uninteresting. Some side quests feel random or nonsensical, and the main story only starts to connect after about five hours of playtime. During the initial phase, there are many unanswered questions and plot holes, which can make the game slow and frustrating. However, the game gets better as you gather more companions, and the experience becomes more fun and exciting the longer you play.

Combat in New Arc Line is simple but strategic, with different types of enemies and tactical elements that make each encounter unique. The turn-based combat system emphasizes initiative and the importance of preparation. Mistakes are not strictly punished; after finishing a battle, you return to the map with full health. Combat can become quite repetitive because you often use the same moves, regardless of the environment or the enemy. Some tasks can be challenging if you don’t adjust your formation and regularly upgrade your equipment. Besides combat, there is also a crafting system that allows players to create grenades, weapons, armor, and new cards, which I will discuss more soon.

Despite the positive aspects, the game also falls short in certain areas, particularly the magic system, which often feels less powerful compared to firearms, making them a more effective choice in many situations. Progression can be slow, and although magic improves later, it is complicated by the magical corruption mechanic, which limits the frequent use of advanced spells due to serious consequences.

Technical Issues

The card mechanic helps mitigate the weakness of magic and allows you to unlock three types of cards via scrolls and trading. By combining different cards, you can learn useful skills, such as linking two enemies to attack them at the same time. Although you might not know the best combinations initially, discovering new skills makes this system fun and one of the better features of the game.

However, these are not the biggest problems the game has. The current state of the game is under-polished, especially when compared to successful CRPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 during its Early Access phase. The game suffers from frequent glitches, long loading times, and performance issues, which detracts from the overall experience. While the visuals are impressive, the character models and animations are not sufficiently refined. Animations are often odd, characters turn strangely, and the overall presentation feels unfinished.

The social conflict between magic and technology is interesting but not fully realized. For instance, warnings about using magic in public have no real consequences. There are some elements of discrimination, like how mages are ostracized or how certain races and species are treated, but these motifs are not sufficiently explored. The User Interface also needs improvements for better accessibility; it is quite confusing at the beginning because elements are scattered and poorly organized.

Early Access with Flaws

New Arc Line has great potential and ambitious ideas, despite some issues. The world and the core game mechanics are engaging, but the writing and technical execution require polish. The game suffers from underdeveloped characters, simple combat, and technical deficiencies. If the developers improve these aspects, the game could become an excellent CRPG. Currently, it offers an interesting but unfinished experience, best suited for players who can overlook the flaws while it is still in the Early Access phase.

Review copy provided by the publisher