When it comes to video games,titles that feature a heavy emphasis on magiccan be a dime a dozen. Any fantasy game is practically guaranteed to include some form of magic, fromDiablotoDark Souls. However, as with many works of fantasy, these games tend to steer clear of modern or futuristic technology when creating their worlds.
Firearms, vehicles, even mechs — these technological advances are rarely seen in fantasy worlds, especially in the realm of video games. Games such asArcanumandthe more recentCaves Of Qud, however, have made good use of combining magical abilities with modern/futuristic technology. Some of these titles contain more magical elements than they do technology; games such asFor The King, for example, mix magic with technological advances such as vintage firearms. However, others, such asCaves Of Qud, are packed with strange, fantastical technologies.
This roguelike RPG takes place on an open-world hexagonal map that players explore with their party of three heroes, resolving events and battling dangerous enemies along the way.For The King’s setting is predominantly rooted in fantasy,with wizards and magical spellsgalore, butFor The Kingalso features light elements of technology.
The most prominent technological feature ofFor The Kingis in its weaponry, which features firearms such as hand-cannons, muskets, and a couple of variations on the blunderbuss. Players are free to exploreFor The King’sworld, but they’re given clear and concise goals that motivate them in different directions. Despitestrategic exploration being a large part of the game,For The Kingis extremely combat-heavy, but its system for combat is both accessible and tactical, making for a breezy and frequently engaging experience.
Developed by Troika Games — a team headed up byFalloutcreators Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky and the very same studio behindVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines—Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscuraisa steampunk CRPG. The game takes place in a fantasy setting amid an ongoing industrial revolution, and this allows the game to blend magic and technology in interesting ways, exploring that premise thoroughly over its ~40-hour campaign.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscurafeatures a world populated by a variety of fantasy races, including all the usual suspects; elves, orcs, dwarves, etc. The gameplay has aged somewhat since its original release in 2001, but fans of CRPGs should have little trouble getting into the groove. For fans ofold-school CRPGs, fantasy, and steampunk,Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscurais worth a shot, especially considering its currently low price-point on Steam.
This open-world RPG may not be for everyone, but it delivers a setting that is both unique and, for the most part, fun to explore. This is especially so for fans of traditionalthird-person open-worldRPGs and action combat.GreedFalltakes place in a setting ravaged by disease and conflict but filled with magic, fantasy creatures, and technology (such as traditional firearms).
GreedFallcan be a somewhat generic experience, and players that don’t enjoy traditional open-world games may not find much to like here. The combat can also feel fairly derivative, but the game’s unique setting makes up for its basic and rough-around-the-edges combat system.
Technically split up into separate large open levels in the form of multiple planets,Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republicis a small-scale open-world RPG set in the iconic universe of George Lucas’Star Wars. The game features a combat system that feels pretty dated at this point, but it’s still fairly accessible, and its iconic story and writing more than make up for its mechanical shortcomings.
Beingset in theStar Warsuniverse,Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republicblends magic and technology to offer players a sci-fi fantasy setting packed with charm and loyalty to the source material. The magic of the Force and the technology of blasters, droids, and starships are all there, ready for players to make use of along their journey.
Caves Of Qudisa roguelike RPGthat can be played as a traditional RPG with the game’s optional “roleplay” mode, which disables permanent death and adds a checkpoint system. The game takes place in a unique sci-fi fantasy setting and features minimalist tile-based graphics as well as traditional roguelike mechanics, such as resource management and tactical turn-based combat.
Despite its minimal visuals,Caves Of Qudis a remarkably evocative game thanks to its writing, detailed world, quirky NPCs, andimmersive atmosphere. This atmosphere is particularly immersive thanks to an excellent soundscape and an exotic, atmospheric soundtrack that feels like fantasy-tingedBlade Runnerand fits the tone of the game perfectly.Caves Of Qudfeatures mutant powers and cybernetic creatures that blur lines between magic and technology, offering a distinctive blend of science-fiction and fantasy that’s steeped in retro-futurism.
