The landscape of modern CRPGs has seen a massive resurgence, but few titles attempt to capture the specific, grime-streaked lightning of cult classics like Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. Enter New Arc Line, an ambitious project from developer Dreamate and publisher Fulqrum Publishing. It is definitely on our list for our most anticipated games coming out in the near future.
Set in a world where the shimmering promise of the Industrial Revolution clashes violently with the ancient, fading embers of Arcane Magic, this title seeks to weave a complex narrative of immigration, corruption, and the high price of progress.
Tale of Two Worlds in One City
The narrative of New Arc Line begins with a deeply personal stakes. You arrive in the sprawling metropolis of New Arc as a literal and metaphorical “stranger in a strange land.” You are a poor immigrant, seeking a cure for a fatal disease that plagues your family. However, the “shining city on the hill” is quickly revealed to be a gilded cage. Beneath the soot-stained sky and the hum of Tesla guns, the city is rotting from within due to systemic segregation, rampant inequality, and a fundamental conflict between two opposing worldviews.
This central tension defines every interaction. On one side, you have the practitioners of the Arcane Arts, who wield fire and shadow but find themselves marginalized by a society that now worships the gear and the piston. On the other, the Steampunk and Dieselpunk visionaries push the boundaries of technology, often at the cost of their own humanity. The game presents this not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing dichotomy that the player must navigate.
Mastering the Path of Arcana or Technology
One of the most compelling features of New Arc Line is its rigid but deep class system. Unlike many modern RPGs that allow you to become a jack-of-all-trades, this game forces you to choose a side. This choice isn’t just cosmetic; it fundamentally alters how you perceive the world and how the world perceives you.
Those who lean toward the mystical can become a Voodoo Shaman, a Hellfire Occultist, or a Celestial Sage. These paths offer devastating magical abilities and a connection to the world’s hidden, supernatural undercurrents. Conversely, players who embrace the machine can specialize as a Diesel Engineer, Steam Mechanic, or Tesla Scientist. These tech-focused classes allow players to craft intricate gear, pilot steam-powered exoskeletons, and utilize advanced weaponry. Because the two forces are inherently volatile when mixed, specializing in one often makes you “allergic” to the other, creating a high-stakes character progression that rewards commitment.
Tactical Combat and the Roll of the Dice
Combat in New Arc Line is a turn-based tactical affair that emphasizes positioning and party synergy. Whether you are fighting through the claustrophobic slums or the high-tech factory floors, you must manage a party of up to four characters. Each encounter requires a careful assessment of resources, from the action points used for movement to the specific skills and consumables available to your companions.
The game also incorporates a robust skill check system heavily inspired by tabletop mechanics. During exploration and dialogue, your character’s attributes—such as Charisma, Perception, or Strength—are tested via a D100 dice system. This means that many obstacles have non-violent solutions. You can smooth-talk your way past a corrupt guard, pickpocket a vital key, or use your technical knowledge to repair a broken lift, bypassing a dangerous fight entirely. This emphasis on choice and consequence ensures that no two playthroughs feel exactly the same.
The Early Access Journey and Future Horizons
Currently in Early Access, New Arc Line is a work in progress that already shows immense potential. While the initial release focuses on the first quarter of the story, the developers have been transparent about their roadmap, which includes adding more races like Dwarves and Giants, as well as expanding the roster of companions.
The community feedback has been instrumental in refining the game’s optimization and UI, which were early points of contention. Even in its current state, the visuals and world-building are standout features. The aesthetic of “1920s Americana meets high fantasy” provides a unique visual identity that distinguishes it from the generic medieval settings often found in the genre. From the dark smoke of the factories to the neon hum of experimental laboratories, the atmosphere is thick with a sense of place.
A New Pillar for the CRPG Genre
Ultimately, New Arc Line is a game about the cost of moving forward. It asks whether a society can truly progress if it leaves its soul behind in the gears of a machine, or if it clings so tightly to old magic that it withers away. As players climb from the bottom of the social ladder to the height of political influence, they are forced to decide what kind of hero—or villain—the “New World” actually needs. For fans of deep narrative-driven experiences and tactical strategy, this is a title that promises to be a landmark entry in the modern RPG library.
