View source for Arx Fatalis


{{Infobox video game
| title = Arx Fatalis
| image = Arx Fatalis cover.png
| caption = European cover art
| developer = [[Arkane Studios]]{{efn|Additional development by [[Floodgate Entertainment]]; ported to [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] by [[Wizarbox]].}}
| publisher = {{Unbulleted list|'''Windows'''|[[JoWooD Productions]]|Arkane Studios {{small|(digital)}}|'''Xbox'''{{vgrelease|NA|[[DreamCatcher Interactive]]|EU|[[Mindscape (company)|Mindscape]]}}}}
| director = [[Raphaël Colantonio]]
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Friis Torben Tappert|Holly D. Kreie}}
| designer = Raphaël Colantonio
| programmer = Cyril Meynier
| artist = Olivier Enselme-Trichard
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Kemal Amarasingham|Simon Amarasingham}}
| platforms =[[Windows]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = '''Windows'''{{Video game release|GER|28 June 2002<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spormann |first=Jörg |date=June 21, 2002 |title=Arx Fatalis deutsche Demo |trans-title=''Arx Fatalis'' German demo |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/arx-fatalis-deutsche-demo,1338320.html |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=[[GameStar]] |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190839/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/arx-fatalis-deutsche-demo,1338320.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|UK|8 November 2002<ref name="What's New">{{Cite news |date=2002-11-08 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46956 |access-date=2023-03-22 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317222315/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46956 |url-status=live }}</ref>|NA|12 November 2002|AU|2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Arx Fatalis'' |url=http://www.red-ant.com.au/products/arxfatalis.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021124234344/http://www.red-ant.com.au/products/arxfatalis.aspx |archive-date=November 24, 2002 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=[[Red Ant Enterprises]]}}</ref>}}'''Xbox'''{{Video game release|GER|12 December 2003<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marc |date=December 5, 2003 |title=''Arx Fatalis'' erreicht Goldstatus! |trans-title=''Arx Fatalis'' reaches gold status! |url=https://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfonews/Allgemein/1071/28560/Arx_Fatalis-.html |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=[[4Players]] |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190839/https://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfonews/Allgemein/1071/28560/Arx_Fatalis-.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|NA|22 December 2003<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Arx Fatalis'' Ships for Xbox|url=https://xboxaddict.com/news/4199/Arx-Fatalis-Ships-for-Xbox.html|date=22 December 2003|access-date=22 March 2023|website=xboxaddict.com|language=en|archive-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322212910/https://xboxaddict.com/news/4199/Arx-Fatalis-Ships-for-Xbox.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|UK|13 February 2004<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-04 |title=''Arx Fatalis''|url=http://www.mindscape.co.uk:80/products/ProductInfo.asp?pid=430 |access-date=2023-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204201137/http://www.mindscape.co.uk:80/products/ProductInfo.asp?pid=430 |archive-date=4 February 2004 }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Action role-playing]], [[dungeon crawl]]<ref name="RevIGN"/>
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Arx Fatalis''''' is a 2002 [[action role-playing game]] developed by [[Arkane Studios]] and released for [[Windows]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. The game is played from a [[first-person perspective]] and is set on a world whose sun has failed, forcing the above-ground creatures to take refuge in caverns. The game's mechanics include the use of [[mouse gesture]]s to cast spells. ''Arx Fatalis'' received mostly positive reviews from critics but was not commercially successful. In 2011, Arkane Studios released the game's [[source code]] under the [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL), though the game assets remain proprietary.

== Plot ==
''Arx Fatalis'' ([[Latin language|Latin]] for "fatal fortress") is set on a world whose sun has failed, forcing the above-ground creatures to take refuge in caverns. The action in ''Arx Fatalis'' takes place in one of these large caves, where the members of various races, including [[trolls]], [[goblins]], [[Dwarf (mythology)|dwarves]], and [[humans]], have made their homes on various levels of the cave. The [[Player character|player]] awakens inside a prison cell and, after making his escape, eventually discovers his mission is to subvert and imprison the God of Destruction, Akbaa, who is trying to manifest itself in Arx.

== Gameplay ==
''Arx Fatalis'' features somewhat [[Nonlinear gameplay|open-ended gameplay]], allowing the player to allocate skill points for their character type in skills such as [[spellcasting]], weapons and armour, [[stealth game|stealth]], and so on. There are several side quests that can be undertaken. A simple [[Crafting (gaming)|crafting]] system involves enchanting ammunition and weapons, or creating items, such as a fishing rod (fishing pole and rope), keyrings (key and ring), or pies (dough and rolling pin, optional apple and optional bottle of wine). Raw food can be cooked, like rounds of bread, chicken drumsticks, or pies. The main plot line is non-linear with the player collecting the various items to forge a sword required to defeat Akbaa in a [[boss battle|final showdown]]. Additional goals come up such as dealing with the rebels of Arx, the snake women and The King of Arx. The player can resolve the conflict between them all and experience several different endings to the conflict with different consequences somewhat affecting the story.

There is no dialogue system in ''Arx Fatalis''. Rather, the player makes choices through actions which lead to different consequences. There are also multiple ways to finish quests and the player can progress through the game in several different ways. For example, the player can use force to kill enemies and break down doors, or they can use stealth and avoid enemies.

One of the intuitive interfaces in ''Arx Fatalis'' is the spellcasting system. Using the [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] and the [[control key]], [[runes]] are drawn in mid-air with [[mouse gesture]]s, which must be correctly drawn in order to successfully cast a spell. The player can find or buy different runes as gameplay progresses, combinations of which unlock new spells.

This gestural interface was simplified in the Xbox version to account for the limitations of the [[Xbox controller|joypad]]. Each direction of the [[directional pad]] corresponds to a different mouse direction and different combinations of directions are entered with the directional pad to draw runes and correspondingly cast spells. A queue of up to three spells can be cast in advance, ready to be activated at the press of a button. There is also an instant magic mode that allows the player to simply select the desired spell they want to cast from a list of learned spells during gameplay.

In addition, ''Arx Fatalis'' supports a stealth mode that is active when a stealth icon is visible on the interface. In stealth mode, usually when a player is in dark or shadowy areas, [[non-player characters]] cannot see them.

== Development ==

''Arx Fatalis'' was the first title of French developer [[Arkane Studios]], founded in 1999 by the game's lead designer and CEO [[Raphaël Colantonio]].<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Arkane Studios: The Story So Far|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=22 July 2021|accessdate=19 November 2023|url=https://sea.ign.com/arx-fatalis/174538/feature/arkane-studios-the-story-so-far|archive-date=19 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119050650/https://sea.ign.com/arx-fatalis/174538/feature/arkane-studios-the-story-so-far|url-status=live}}</ref> The design of ''Arx Fatalis'' was influenced by games from the now-defunct [[Looking Glass Studios]], especially ''[[Ultima Underworld]]''. Arkane Studios have stated that ''Arx Fatalis'' was intended to be ''Ultima Underworld III'';<ref name="license discussion">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/arx-fatalis-preview/1100-2856384/ |title=Arx Fatalis Preview |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |author=Brett Todd |date=20 March 2002 |accessdate=12 April 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412013415/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/arx-fatalis-preview/1100-2856384/ |archivedate=12 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> however, while [[Raphaël Colantonio]] had support from [[Paul Neurath]], one of the original developers of ''Ultima Underworld'', [[Electronic Arts]], who owned the rights, would not allow Arkane to make a sequel with their [[intellectual property]] unless he accepted some of their provisions. Colantonio refused to accept this and instead had Arkane set out on the game in the spirit of ''Ultima Underworld''.<ref name="polygon history1"/> Colantonio had difficulty in getting a publisher; with finances nearly exhausted, they had signed one small publisher who had gone bankrupt within the month, but later secured [[JoWooD Productions]] for publication, eventually releasing in 2002.

''Arx Fatalis'' was released for [[Windows]] initially in Germany on 28 June 2002 before releasing in the UK on 8 November 2002<ref name="What's New">{{Cite news |date=2002-11-08 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46956 |access-date=2023-03-22 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317222315/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46956 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in North America on 12 November 2002. It was ported the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in North America on 22 December 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arx Fatalis Ships for Xbox - XboxAddict News |url=https://xboxaddict.com/news/4199/Arx-Fatalis-Ships-for-Xbox.html |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=xboxaddict.com |language=en}}</ref> and in Europe on 13 February 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-04 |title=Product Info - Arx Fatalis Xbox |url=http://www.mindscape.co.uk:80/products/ProductInfo.asp?pid=430 |access-date=2023-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204201137/http://www.mindscape.co.uk:80/products/ProductInfo.asp?pid=430 |archive-date=4 February 2004 }}</ref>

On 14 January 2011,<ref>{{cite web|first=Andy|last=Chalk|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/arkane-puts-out-one-more-arx-fatalis-patch/|title=Arkane Puts Out One More Arx Fatalis Patch|website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|date=January 14, 2011|accessdate=May 8, 2022}}</ref> Arkane Studios released a 1.21 patch and the game's [[source code]] under the terms of the [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL).<ref name="geek.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://arkane-studios.com/uk/arx_downloads.php |title=Arx Fatalis |website=[[Arkane Studios]] |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405083832/http://www.arkane-studios.com/uk/arx_downloads.php |archivedate=5 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Based upon this source code, the ''Arx Libertatis'' project was formed to [[Fan-made patch|fix bugs]] and incompatibilities, and to [[Source port|port]] the game to operating systems such as [[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]] and the [[OpenPandora]] [[handheld]].<ref name="geek.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.geek.com/games/arx-libertatis-cross-platform-port-of-arx-fatalis-released-1484611/ |title=Arx Libertatis: cross-platform port of Arx Fatalis released |website=[[Geek.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |author=Matthew Humphries |date=21 April 2012 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |quote=What's interesting about ''Arx Fatalis'' is that development of the game started up again last year. Arkane Studios released patch 1.21 and with it open-sourced the engine. That led to a new project called ''Arx Libertatis'', which aimed to update the game to be played on multiple modern operating systems including Windows and Linux. |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619165019/https://www.geek.com/games/arx-libertatis-cross-platform-port-of-arx-fatalis-released-1484611/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/arx/ArxLibertatis#readme |title=arx/ArxLibertatis |website=[[GitHub]] |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archive-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204132639/https://github.com/arx/ArxLibertatis#readme |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=arxlibertatis_ptitseb |title=Arx Libertatis |website=Repo.OpenPandora.org |date=10 November 2013 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915214306/http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=arxlibertatis_ptitseb |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2021|9|post=,}} the most recent ''Arx Libertatis'' release is version 1.2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arx-libertatis.org/releases/1.2 |title=Arx Libertatis 1.2 "Mega Mega Mega" released |date=7 July 2021 |accessdate=30 September 2021 |publisher=arx-libertatis.org}}</ref>

Several [[Fan translation of video games|fan-made translations]] of the game have also been made, including to [[Turkish language|Turkish]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pinkert10.blogspot.com/2012/07/arx-fatalis-turkce-yama.html |date=20 July 2012 |title=Arx Fatalis Türkçe yama |language=tr |trans-title=Arx Fatalis Turkish patch |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130716220052/http://pinkert10.blogspot.com/2012/07/arx-fatalis-turkce-yama.html |archive-date=16 July 2013 |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> and [[Korean language|Korean]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nsm53p.tistory.com/500 |date=20 August 2010 |title=[미완성] 악스 파탈리스 (Arx Fatalis) - 한글 패치 배포 |trans-title=(Unfinished) Arx Fatalis - Korean patch distribution |language=ko |website=NSM53 PROJECT |access-date=30 September 2021 }}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| 1UP_XBOX = B−<ref>{{cite web |title=Arx Fatalis Review |author=Kevin Gifford |publisher=[[1Up.com]] |date=May 9, 2004 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/arx-fatalis |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723083317/http://www.1up.com/reviews/arx-fatalis}}</ref>
| GR_PC = 80%<ref name="GR_PC">{{cite web |title=Arx Fatalis for PC |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/371212-arx-fatalis/index.html |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408073206/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/371212-arx-fatalis/index.html |archive-date=8 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GR_XBOX = 73%<ref name="GR_XB">{{cite web |title=Arx Fatalis for Xbox |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914557-arx-fatalis/index.html |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416004305/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914557-arx-fatalis/index.html |archive-date=16 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| MC_PC = 77/100<ref name="RevMCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/arx-fatalis/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Arx Fatalis for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=17 April 2015}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 71/100<ref name="RevMCXbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/arx-fatalis/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Arx Fatalis for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archive-date=21 February 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250221175911/https://www.metacritic.com/game/arx-fatalis/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live }}</ref>
| CGM_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arx Fatalis (PC) |magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |publisher=[[theGlobe.com]] |issue=146 |date=January 2003 |page=70}}</ref>
| CGM_XBOX = A−<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |magazine=Computer Games Magazine |publisher=theGlobe.com |issue=161 |date=April 2004 |page=7}}</ref>
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_224.pdf |title=Arx Fatalis |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |author=Robert Coffey |issue=224 |date=March 2003 |pages=94–95 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103031124/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_224.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Edge_XBOX = 4/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=132 |date=January 2004 |page=111}}</ref>
| EuroG_PC = 7/10<ref name="RevEuroGame">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_arxfatalis_pc |title=Arx Fatalis (PC) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |author=Rob Fahey |date=5 November 2002 |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218072403/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_arxfatalis_pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG_XBOX = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_arxfatalis_x |title=Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |author=Ronan Jennings |date=25 February 2004 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929175233/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_arxfatalis_x |archivedate=29 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/B87E98C1-F450-4D5D-BAA6-82C93742A061.htm |title=Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |author=Lisa Mason |issue=129 |date=January 2004 |page=150 |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309001335/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/B87E98C1-F450-4D5D-BAA6-82C93742A061.htm |archive-date=9 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev_PC = B<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33020-arx-fatalis-review |title=Arx Fatalis Review (PC) |website=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |author=Brian Clevinger |date=January 2003 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404113022/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/rpg/arx_fatalis.htm |archivedate=4 April 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31723.shtml |title=Arx Fatalis Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] |author=Manny LaMancha |date=13 November 2003 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204165424/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31723.shtml |archivedate=4 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 8.4/10<ref name="RevGameSpot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arx-fatalis-review/1900-2898456/ |title=Arx Fatalis Review (PC) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |author=Greg Kasavin |date=22 November 2002 |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218071939/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arx-fatalis-review/1900-2898456/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_XBOX = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arx-fatalis-review/1900-6083711/ |title=Arx Fatalis Review (Xbox) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |author=Greg Kasavin |date=17 November 2003 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001232302/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arx-fatalis-review/1900-6083711/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/arx-fatalis/549545p1.html |title=GameSpy: Arx Fatalis (PC) |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=William Abner |date=23 November 2002 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archive-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322173251/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/arx-fatalis/549545p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/arx-fatalis/6361p1.html |title=GameSpy: Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Zach Meston |date=13 November 2003 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archive-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221050834/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/arx-fatalis/6361p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone_PC = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/arx_fatalis_pc_review/ |title=Arx Fatalis - PC - Review |website=GameZone |author=Michael Lafferty |date=26 November 2002 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005205328/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18513.htm |archivedate=5 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/arx_fatalis_xb_review/ |title=Arx Fatalis - XB - Review |website=GameZone |author=Michael Lafferty |date=30 December 2003 |accessdate=2 October 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006135535/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18513.htm |archivedate=6 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 8/10<ref name="RevIGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/11/arx-fatalis |title=Arx Fatalis (PC) |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |author=Dan Adams |date=11 November 2002 |accessdate=17 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417231951/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/11/arx-fatalis |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 7.8/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/01/arx-fatalis-4 |title=Arx Fatalis (Xbox) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |author=David Clayman |date=1 April 2004 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001232300/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/01/arx-fatalis-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| OXM_XBOX = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arx Fatalis |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=January 2004 |page=76}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 85%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arx Fatalis |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=Future US |volume=10 |issue=1 |date=January 2003 |page=86}}</ref>
}}

While the game was well received, it was considered a commercial failure.<ref name="polygon history1"/> The PC version of ''Arx Fatalis'' received "generally favourable reviews", while the Xbox version received "average" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="RevMCPC"/><ref name="RevMCXbox"/>

''Arx Fatalis'' was released after the more successful fantasy role-playing games ''[[The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind]]'' and ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]'', with reviewers stating that although it is not as open as ''Morrowind'', it will appeal to fans that like dungeon-crawler RPGs, paying homage to games like ''Ultima: Underworld''.

''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s [[Greg Kasavin]] was pleased with the experience that the PC version offered, stating that "''Arx Fatalis'' is entertaining and great looking, and it should especially appeal to fans of other atmospheric first-person games, including ''[[Thief: The Dark Project]]'', ''[[System Shock 2]]'', and ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]'', let alone this year's ''Morrowind''. Though marred by some technical issues (many of which have already been addressed by patches) and at times confusing to navigate in, ''Arx Fatalis'' nevertheless delivers a memorable, original role-playing experience",<ref name="RevGameSpot"/> and ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Dan Adams enjoyed the same PC version, stating that "The atmosphere, spell system, puzzles, voices, and story were good and interesting enough to give me a pretty enjoyable experience."<ref name="RevIGN"/>

''Arx Fatalis'' was nominated as one of 2002's best computer role-playing game by ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', ''[[GameSpot]]'' and the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://interactive.org/awards/IAA-6/winners.asp |title=6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners |website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404185448/http://interactive.org/awards/IAA-6/winners.asp |archivedate=4 April 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=10 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/pc19.html |title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Role-Playing Game on PC, Nominees) |author=GameSpot staff |website=GameSpot |publisher=[[CNET]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207081140/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/pc19.html |archivedate=7 February 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref><ref name=cgwpremier2002>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_225.pdf |title=''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 2002 Games of the Year (RPG of the Year) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |author=CGW staff |issue=225 |date=April 2003 |page=88 |accessdate=1 October 2019 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705083519/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_225.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also a runner-up for [[RPG Vault]]'s "Surprise of the Year" and "Debut Game of the Year" awards,<ref name=rpgvault2002/> and for GameSpot's "Best Sound" and the [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]' "Rookie Studio of the Year" prizes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/pc2.html |title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Sound on PC) |author=GameSpot staff |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223074419/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/pc2.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_3rd.html |title=Archive <nowiki>|</nowiki> 3rd Annual Game Developers Choice Awards |website=[[Game Developers Conference]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703082229/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_3rd.html |archivedate=July 3, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> It won RPG Vault's award for sound design that year.<ref name=rpgvault2002>{{cite web |url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/382/382567p1.html |title=2002 RPG Vault Awards |website=RPG Vault |publisher=[[Vault Network]] |date=13 January 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918055234/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/382/382567p1.html |archivedate=18 September 2007 |url-status=dead |accessdate=10 September 2018}}</ref> The editors of ''Computer Gaming World'' wrote that ''Arx Fatalis'' "has hands-down the most annoying interface of the year, but fortunately, it also sports sharp graphics [...] and a great story".<ref name=cgwpremier2002/>

{{clear}}

== Legacy ==
''Arx Fatalis''{{'}} critical praise gave Arkane the opportunity to work with [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] to develop a new title on their [[Source (game engine)|Source engine]], and Colantonio opted to make a sequel, ''Arx Fatalis 2''. However, the poor sales of the first game made it difficult to find a publisher. Arkane was eventually approached by [[Ubisoft]] and asked to apply the ''Arx Fatalis'' game engine to their ''[[Might and Magic]]''. This became ''[[Dark Messiah of Might and Magic]]'', released in October 2006. It refined the first-person melee combat of ''Arx Fatalis'' with a lesser emphasis on role-playing elements.<ref name="polygon history1"/> During this time, Colantonio moved from France to Austin, Texas, leaving the main studio in the hands of his colleagues while he set up Arkane Austin in June 2006.<ref name="polygon history1">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/9/28/3425300/the-mirror-men-of-arkane |title=The Mirror Men of Arkane |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |author=Russ Pitts |date=27 June 2012 |accessdate=17 April 2017 |archive-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028065741/https://www.polygon.com/2012/9/28/3425300/the-mirror-men-of-arkane |url-status=live }}</ref> Colantonio left the studio in 2017 to concentrate on smaller projects.

To celebrate Arkane Studios' 20th anniversary, the game was made available for free on PC from 28 to 31 May 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bethesda.net/en/hub/arkane20|title=Arkane: 20 Years|publisher=Bethesda|date=28 May 2020|accessdate=30 May 2020}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070208234912/http://www.arxfatalis-online.com/index_eng.php Official website] via [[Internet Archive]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022404/http://www.arkane-studios.com/uk/arx.php ''Arx Fatalis''] at Arkane Studios via Internet Archive
* [https://archive.org/details/ArxFatalis_source Source code] at Internet Archive
* {{MobyGames|id=/arx-fatalis}}

{{Arkane Studios}}


[[Category:2002 video games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Arkane Studios games]]
[[Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code]]
[[Category:DreamCatcher Interactive games]]
[[Category:Dungeon crawler video games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Immersive sims]]
[[Category:JoWooD Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Open-source video games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Wizarbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Arx Fatalis|access_date=2026-02-26}}