Arx Fatalis

First-person fantasy RPG with underground exploration and mouse-drawn spells

Arkane Studios · Published by Bethesda Softworks · Released Apr 3, 2007

RPG

Reviews: Very Positive; 88% of 2,649
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 100% of 23 in 30 days
Playing now: 6; right now
Steam Deck: Playable
Last update: 6 years ago; May 28, 2020

Free demo available, 0 playing it now: get the demo.

Metacritic: 77/100 (critic reviews)

What is Arx Fatalis?

A first-person RPG set in a fantasy world where the vanished sun has driven rival peoples underground and the god Akbaa threatens them. You explore mines, cities, and temples on a nonlinear quest, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, developing skills, and drawing runes with the mouse to cast spells.

For you if...

+you enjoy exploring dark underground fantasy worlds
+you like experimenting with items and character builds
+you prefer finding your own way through puzzles

Not for you if...

−you want clear directions through quests and puzzles
−you prefer straightforward combat without mouse gestures

What players say

88% of 2,649 reviews are positive · 100% of 23 in the last 30 days

Players praise the underground atmosphere, hands-on item interactions, and rune-based spells. They complain about obscure quests and puzzles, awkward controls, and difficulty drawing spells on modern systems; many suggest Arx Libertatis to improve play on current PCs.

Screenshots and trailer

Arx Fatalis system requirements

As published by the developer.

Minimum

Windows XP, 500 MHz Pentium ® III or compatible, 64 MB RAM , DirectX 8 or higher, DirectX 8 compatible sound- and graphics card with 16 MB, 750 MB fixed disks Recommended: 900 MHz Pentium ® III or compatible, 256 MB RAM , DirectX 8 or higher, DirectX 8 compatible sound- and graphics card with 32MB, 750 MB fixed disks