Realms of Arkania 3 - Shadows over Riva Classic
- January 10, 2014
- Attic Entertainment Software
Get on SteamIn "Realms of Arkania 3 - Shadows over Riva Classic," sinister forces threaten the seaside town of Riva. Explore the city, dungeons, and underwater regions in 3D while battling evil and adjusting the difficulty to your liking. This classic RPG is known for its fantastic story, excellent gameplay, and faithful adaptation of the pen & paper ruleset.
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Reviews
- The game features an atmospheric soundtrack that evokes nostalgia and enhances the immersive experience.
- Character development is well-crafted, offering a deep and engaging RPG experience with numerous classes and spells.
- Fans of old-school RPGs may appreciate the complex mechanics and the unique storytelling that captures the spirit of classic role-playing games.
- The game has aged poorly, with clunky controls and an unintuitive interface that can frustrate new players.
- Many players find the steep learning curve and lack of modern conveniences make the game feel outdated and tedious.
- Technical issues, such as bugs and performance problems, can hinder the overall experience, especially on certain platforms.
- story11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and engagement, moving away from traditional overworld travel to a more linear narrative that enhances the experience. While not considered a masterpiece, the storytelling is compelling, featuring strong character development and atmospheric elements reminiscent of classic RPGs. Players find it captivating enough to keep them invested, despite some technical issues that can disrupt the experience.
“What previous games have done faithfully to the tabletop experience is abandoned for a deeper, more engaging story.”
“The storytelling is among the finest you can get and where the game really shows that it's coming from a well-developed pen & paper system.”
“You're looking for an RPG that captivates you, where your characters will grow on your heart and the story keeps you going that extra hour even though you should have stopped playing already?”
“Now I was really excited to finally see the full story, everything was going well...until the game started crashing before the final fight (silent cry).”
“It is a game that is driven only by story.”
“After 17 years and tons of RPGs that surely have better presentation and even better story/quests/features, I'm still waiting for a game that can absorb you as much as this one does.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its phenomenal and atmospheric quality, evoking nostalgia and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the diverse range of melodies that complement various settings, from beautiful tunes in the woods to eerie tracks in dungeons, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional depth.
“Also difficult to not notice the amazing soundtrack.”
“Prepare to hear beautiful melodies in the woods, scary ones in dungeons, nostalgic songs at inns, and some creepy tracks for those unsettling levels where you just don't dare to keep walking and only think about going home.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack literally takes you back to childhood.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is heavily praised for its nostalgic soundtrack that evokes childhood memories, alongside a rich blend of character development, engaging plot, and a strong sense of the 1990s RPG vibe. This combination creates an immersive experience that resonates deeply with players.
“The atmospheric soundtrack literally takes you back to childhood.”
“The atmospheric music, great battles, and comprehensive character development create a captivating plot that evokes the climate of the nineties, when truly great role-playing games were made.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised, with reviewers noting it as extraordinarily engaging and integral to the game's immersive world, making it a must-experience for any serious CRPG player.
“Well-developed character development and an interesting world.”
“Yes, the character development is extraordinarily involving, so no CRPG player worth their salt is allowed to pass this by.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any surprising ways.”
“The lack of depth in character backstories made it hard to connect with them on an emotional level.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a blend of real-time first-person exploration and turn-based isometric combat, appealing to hardcore and old-school gamers with its engaging story and unique mechanics.
“The gameplay itself is based on real-time first-person exploration and turn-based isometric combat mode.”
“Hardcore and old-school gamers will likely find it to be an engaging story with mechanics they may not be used to.”
“The gameplay itself is based on a real-time, first-person exploration and a turn-based isometric combat mode.”
“The controls feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the game.”
“The combat mechanics are overly simplistic and lack depth, leading to repetitive encounters.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have seen significant enhancements compared to previous installments, showcasing notable improvements in visual quality.
“The visuals in this game have definitely improved by leaps and bounds compared to its predecessors.”
“The graphics are stunning, with incredible attention to detail that brings the game world to life.”
“The art style is beautifully crafted, making every scene a visual treat.”
