2001, Game of the Year (Runoff)

[Cyran]

HoloDust said:

Cyran said:

I realize I voted for other and not posted my vote.

I really did not play many games this year. When I looked through the list the game I remember enjoying most is Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

I do want to bring up RuneScape, I never played it my self so hard for me to vote for it but there are still millions of people playing RuneScape Classic today 22 years later so as for impact this game probably deserve it.

That one is a pure gold, expanding on Fallout 1 mechanisms. IMO, the thing that got it remaining niche is the world itself - Steampunk mixed with magic is not everyone's cup of tea, and a lot of people like their fantasy being classic medieval.

I personally always enjoyed steampunk fantasy but when it come to western RPGs you probably right.  With JRPG I feel the mix of tech and magic is more commonly accepted just look at a number of final fantasy games.

It too bad Troika Games did not have more success.  Arcanum, Temple of elemental evil and especially Vampire: The Masquerade-Bloodlines (possibly my 2004 game of the year.  Not looked at list of options yet to know for sure) was all great games.

On a side note Timothy Cain (creator of fallout and cofounder of Troika Games) youtube channel have some great insights on game design and his experiences creating fallout and other games he created/worked on.  https://www.youtube.com/@CainOnGames/videos