I have been following Arx Fatalis closely since its first announcement on TTLG about 3 years ago. Being a big, big fan of both Ultima Underworld games I was really excited about this title, especially after I learned that developer Arkane Studios itself considers it to be the unofficial Underworld 3. Now the game has finally been released this week by JoWood in Germany (other languages will follow in september) and I have played Arx Fatalis for 3 days now and must say, I am deeply impressed, with what Raphael Colantonio and his team have delivered! You know, when it comes to compare a game to a gloryfied and ten year old title like Ultima Underworld, that game truly must be something special to bear up to its spiritual predecessor - and Arx Fatalis looks like it can do it!

The game ships on one CD only, and is accompanied by a full color manual, that covers all the important aspects without being to detailed though.
Installation went smoothly without any probs (there is no size option) and the game configurator allows you to choose the graphics resolution up to 1600x1200x32.
Then you have to create your character, which is not too complicated and after that, you start off where the demo also does, in the goblin prison. The difference between the demo and the full game here is, that after you exit the lower prison level, you are back in the goblin prison level where you were imprisoned.

And here the games unfolds its full power: The enemy AI is really excellent: Goblins taunt you, run away to get help, even wake sleeping comrades and return with them or chase you down. When they hear your footsteps, they stop from their patrol and listen, saying something like: 'I have heard something - anybody there?' and they come for you or even are calling for help before coming your direction. You can sneak your way past some goblin guards, but most of the time in this level you have to fight, which is a challenge indeed, especially if two or more goblins fight you.
(It is a bit hard to drink a healing potion then, for example, because there is no quick key for that, but then again, it is kind of realistic that way - let's hope, combat is not too hard in the game later on.)

You can always run back to the lower level of the prison to rest and repower for enemies do not follow you when changing levels (which is one of the weaker points of the game).
Your weapons or armour can break, you will have to repair them or have them repaired, and in the beginning you have to use a bone as a weapon, until you find a first dagger or small sword.
Also the automap is good, but not excellent, since it covers the game screen and no comments can be taken on it. I wished for a mini map, which is visible all the time, just as in Morrowind.

I have grilled some meat already (rats, it is rat ribs these little naggers have left after they died to me) and can cast one fire spell (which I used to light a fireplace or torches) and a defensive fire wall spell. I have also found a rolling pin and flour, so I guess I can bake bread as well soon, furthermore a hammer and an anvil to repair stuff, a rope and many other things. My inventory looks like one in an point and click adventure game, with the one difference, that you can use these items whenever and wherever you want (well, almost at least). You can also go fishing and poison enemies, after you mixed our own potions (I haven't advanced to that yet).

Overall, this few starting hours showed the potential the game has and it is a great potential. The graphics look great (I play it smoothly at 1600x1200x32 on my P4 1.8GHz and GF3), EAX Sound is fantastic (I rarely before felt so much fear in a dungeon) and controls are good, after you took 1 or 2 hours to get used to them.
You also can eat, no, you actually have to eat (how I missed that after the old Ultima games died), and eating also makes you heal faster.
All in all, I am very content with the game, if the story unfolds and the immersiveness is going at that high level through all the game, this will be one of the top games ever and a true heir for Ultima underworld.
Look for a full review on RPGDot shortly.