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{{Short description|2001 role-playing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Anachronox
| image = Anachronoxcover.jpg
| caption = North American box art
| director = [[Tom Hall]]
| developer = [[Ion Storm]]
| publisher = [[Eidos Interactive]]
| producer = Jake Strider Hughes
| programmer = Brian Eiserloh
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Don Martinez|Lee Perry III|Ben Herrera}}
| writer = Richard Zangrande Gaubert
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Will Nevins|Darren Walsh}}
| designer = Tom Hall
| engine = [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]]
| released = {{Video game release|NA|June 27, 2001|UK|July 6, 2001|AUS|July 31, 2001}}
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}

'''''Anachronox''''' is a 2001 [[role-playing video game]] produced by [[Tom Hall]] and the Dallas [[Ion Storm]] games studio. The game is centered on Sylvester "Sly Boots" Bucelli, a down-and-out [[private investigator]] who looks for work in the slums of Anachronox, a once-abandoned planet near the galaxy's jumpgate hub. He travels to other planets, amasses an unlikely group of friends, and unravels a mystery that threatens the fate of the universe. The game's [[science fiction]] story was influenced by [[cyberpunk]], [[film noir]], and unconventional humor. The story features a theme of working through the troubles of one's past.

Gameplay in ''Anachronox'' is a mix of real-time exploration and turn-based combat; the player controls a party of up to three characters as they explore a 3D environment of futuristic cities, space vessels, and outdoor areas. Inspirations for the game include older role-playing video games such as ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' and the [[Final Fantasy|''Final Fantasy'' series]], animator [[Chuck Jones]] and the novel ''[[Ender's Game]]''.<ref name="viceretro" /> The game was built with a heavily modified version of [[id Software]]'s [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]], rewritten chiefly to allow a wider color palette, emotive animations and facial expressions, better lighting, [[particle effects]], and camera effects.<ref name="ageneralinformation">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010628183749/http://www.anachronox.com/i_general.asp | archive-date = 2001-06-28 | url=http://www.anachronox.com/i_general.asp | title = Anachronox General Information | publisher =Ion Storm | year = 2001}}</ref>

The development of ''Anachronox'' was long and difficult. Originally planned for a third-quarter 1998 release, it was released worldwide in June 2001 for [[Microsoft Windows]]. Tom Hall planned to create a sequel with the copious content removed during production. Critics enjoyed the game and awarded it high marks for its design and story. Ion Storm's Dallas offices were closed mere days after the game's release. In 2002, ''Anachronox'' cinematic director Jake Hughes spliced together gameplay footage and [[cutscenes]] to create a feature-length, award-winning [[machinima]] film.

== Gameplay ==
''Anachronox'' is a [[role-playing game]] similar in nature to many [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|Japanese role-playing video games]] like ''[[Final Fantasy]]''. The player controls a party of up to three characters as they explore a 3D environment (colloquially known as a "field map") of futuristic cities, space vessels, and outdoor areas.<ref name="gameplaymanual">{{cite book | year=2001 | title=Anachronox instruction manual | publisher=Ion Storm}}</ref> Players can swap for new party members, talk to non-player characters, and collect and shop for equipment and items. When players near an interactive character or item, a floating arrow-shaped electronic device called the LifeCursor appears, which lets the player click on the person or item.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> After a certain point in the story, players can travel by shuttle to other planets, triggering [[cutscenes]] of the shuttle trips. Each playable character has a unique skill, such as lockpicking, which may be used to solve puzzles.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> Some sequences involve [[minigame]]s, such as an unnamed mission in which the player pilots a fighter spaceship to destroy enemies with lasers. Certain field maps also feature simple two-dimensional minigames, including the original games Ox and Bugaboo.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> The protagonist Boots also possesses a camera, which the player can use to take [[screenshots]] for their own enjoyment or as part of quest objectives.<ref name="gameplaymanual" />

[[File:Anachronox gameplay.jpg|left|thumb|Sylvester "Sly Boots" Bucelli using his pistol on enemies]]

Enemy encounters trigger a combat mode. As in ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', enemies are openly visible on field maps or lie in wait to ambush the party and thus are not [[random encounter|random]].<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Similar to ''Final Fantasy''{{'}}s [[Active Time Battle]], each character has a meter that gradually fills with time.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> When the meter is full, characters can physically attack enemies, use MysTech magic, unleash BattleSkill attacks, use items, move to a different position, or use a nearby object to attack, if present.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> For playable characters and computer-controlled enemies, each attack has their number of [[hit point]]s (a numerically based life bar) get reduced, which can be restored through healing items or MysTech slags. Use of MysTech and equippable shield cells require Neutron-Radiated Glodents (NRG), a separate energy reserve displayed beneath a character's life bar.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> NRG is replenished through certain items. Use of BattleSkills require Bouge, a third bar beneath NRG that automatically fills with time; players can use different BattleSkills depending on how full the Bouge bar is.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> Some characters must undergo certain plot developments to unlock their BattleSkills. When a playable character loses all hit points, he or she faints. If all the player's characters fall in battle, the game ends and must be restored from a previously [[saved game]]. Winning battles earns [[experience point]]s and raises characters' [[Experience point#Level-based progression|levels]], granting them improved statistics.<ref name="gameplaymanual" /> These statistics can be viewed through the status screen, which displays important character information and current quests. Unlike many other RPGs, ''Anachronox'' displays a character's attributes with qualitative descriptors (such as Poor and Excellent) instead of integers.<ref name="gameplaymanual" />

===MysTech===
The Mysterium Tech (or MysTech) system allows players to use in-game objects collectively known as MysTech, and create new MysTech by using a configuration screen accessed through Elementor Host items.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide">{{cite book | date=2001-06-26 | title=Anachronox (Prima's Official Strategy Guide) | publisher=Prima Games | isbn = 0-7615-2609-9}}</ref> MysTech cannot be used until they are awakened after a certain story event. Eight basic colors of MysTech exist, representing different elements; for example, green represents poison.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" /> Players can use MysTech to inflict damage upon enemies, plague them with certain status effects (such as freezing them in place), or heal party members.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" /> Casting status effect-MysTech on party members will cure them if afflicted by enemy status spells. MysTech slabs and Elementor Hosts can be found as treasure in the game world or bought from shops. To create MysTech, players place colored bugs (found on small hills in several game locations) in empty slots on an Elementor Host.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" /> The color of bugs placed in the function slot determines the color of MysTech, while other slots modify the power and/or range of the spell. Players can add special bugs known as Cobalt Crawlers to make a spell target all enemies instead of one; a Host filled with eight Crawlers unlocks a secret spell.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" /> The effect of bugs can be amplified by feeding them petals from Lifeflowers, which can be found scattered throughout the world of ''Anachronox''.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" /> Special types of Hosts with two or three different functions allow players to pick which MysTech function to use in battle.<ref name="gameplayprimaguide" />

== Plot ==

===Setting===
The game takes place on Anachronox (a portmanteau of ''anachronism'' and ''noxious,'' meaning "poison from the past"<ref name="abackground" />), a small planet floating inside a huge artificial sphere known as Sender One.<ref name="abackground">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011212022400/http://www.anachronox.com/information.asp | url = http://www.anachronox.com/information.asp | archive-date = 2001-12-12 | title = Anachronox Story | publisher = [[Ion Storm]] | year = 2001}}</ref> Husks of futuristic cities exist on artificial [[tectonic plates]], which constantly shift to connect different parts of the planet. Inhabitants believe that diseased aliens were quarantined there eons ago, resulting in the name Anachronox. Northern Anachronox is clean and upscale, while southern Anachronox is crime-ridden and run-down.<ref name="abackground" /> Humanity travels to different planets from Sender One, which had been the center of a transportation system for a race of non-humanoids enabling faster-than-light travel.<ref name="abackground" /> Inbound and outbound traffic stops at Sender Station, an orbiting construct above Sender One with hotels and a red light district.<ref name="redlightdistrict">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Sender Station |quote='''Mean Tang''': Thanks, man. Here's the secret... You know that door right around this corner? Well, it leads to Pumping Station 7. But if you break left instead of right, there's a gate that leads to the Routubes… Sender Station's underground substructure. If you take the Routubes all the way down into the core, you'll find a secret Red Light District where you can party 'til dawn.}}</ref> Civilizations conduct business using currency like the one-dollar coin known as a "[[loonie]]",<ref name="loonie">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Anachronox |quote='''SenderNet''': Due to a freak of galactic commerce, this has become the standard unit of currency for the galaxy. Some areas still use non-digital money. The one-dollar coin is called a "loonie", because it has a loon on the back.}}</ref> while several people collect MysTech—shards of rock with markings, believed to be dormant weapons or art pieces created by an extinct alien race.<ref name="abackground" /> MysTech were first found 300 years ago, and are poorly understood, though avidly collected.<ref name="abackground" />

Other planets in Sender One include Sunder, Hephaestus, Democratus, and Limbus. The galaxy's scientific community is headquartered on the temperate planet of Sunder, and people are only permitted to go there if they are sufficiently intelligent. Hephaestus is an important religious center. A mostly volcanic planet, Hephaestus hosts a town and temple complex of monks who study MysTech. Democratus is climatically similar to Earth, with regions of desert, snow, forest, and prairie. Several populations of different sentient species exist on the surface, but the planet is ruled by a race of tall, thin humanoids with large craniums who dwell on a large mechanical ring constructed around the planet. This race is obsessed with the ideal of [[democracy]], and though they possess incredible scientific and engineering knowledge, they are constantly bogged down by their own ineptitude and the frailties of the democratic process.<ref name="democratusbg">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Democratus |quote='''Fatima''': Sorry to interrupt, but I just dug up some interesting info on this dump. Formerly known as Tevolin II," the planet of Democratus was made up of hardline isolationists before the sudden fall of Emperor Ducalion last year. They've only recently become interested in interplanetary relations. The whole planet is run by committee. They are extremely bureaucratic, with an elitist class living in a ring floating around the planet, and a working class that has been relegated to the surface. Limited-access visitors report amazing technology, but none of it is allowed to be exported. Either that helps or it doesn't. Have fun.}}</ref> Limbus is known as the "planet of death", as voyagers never return; its surface is arid and rocky, with sparse vegetation.<ref name="limbusbg">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Sender Station Lounge of Commerce |quote='''Grumpos''': Limbus is a remote planet on the far side of the universe. Any ships that attempt to land on the surface vanish without a trace. Stories of eerie visions and ghost fleets have haunted the planet for years. One thing is for certain about Limbus... the name is synonymous with death for good reason. Go there, and you die.}}</ref> A planet mentioned but not seen in the game is Krapton, home to superheroes and villains. Most of Krapton's human population has fled, tired of being constantly abducted and saved by warring superpeople.<ref name="kraptonbg">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=KSC Grimacer |quote='''Amanuensus''': In 197AC, An unexplored sender spike sent an expeditionary team to a remote area of the universe somewhere near the Wu-Chan system. They discovered a crystalline planet operating under bizarre comic book rules. It was the superhero world of Krapton. The normal inhabitants of the planet, tired of being constantly abducted and saved by their super-powered population, had long since moved away.}}</ref>

=== Characters ===
[[File:Anachronox Characters.png|thumb|From left to right, Grumpos, Rho, Boots, and PAL-18 approach the camera]]

The protagonist of ''Anachronox'' is Sylvester "Sly Boots" Bucelli, a human and former private detective on Anachronox. Twenty-nine years old and described as "bold, brash, and overconfident", Boots has gotten himself into trouble and now runs his agency out of rented storage space above a seedy bar.<ref name="cboots">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212224036/http://www.anachronox.com/i_boots.asp | archive-date = 2001-12-12 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_boots.asp | title = Bio: Sylvester "Sly" Boots | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> His only friends are PAL-18, his spirited, sarcastic robot assistant since childhood, and Fatima Doohan, his secretary. Fatima was fatally injured and [[Mind uploading|digitized]] by Boots onto a [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]]-analogue "LifeCursor", where she bitterly lives to render assistance.<ref name="cboots" /><ref name="cfatima">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011116192806/http://www.anachronox.com/i_fatima.asp | archive-date = 2001-11-16 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_fatima.asp | title = Bio: Fatima Doohan | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Several allies join Boots over the course of the game; first is 71-year-old Grumpos Matavastros, a "scholar, outdoorsman, eccentric recluse, and renaissance man"—and a very grumpy person.<ref name="cgrumpos">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212174626/http://www.anachronox.com/i_grumpos.asp | archive-date = 2001-12-12 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_grumpos.asp | title = Bio: Grumpos Matavastros | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> A former curator of the MysTech museum on Anachronox, Grumpos devotes his life to studying the artifacts. Dr. Rho Bowman joins the party on Sunder; she is a brilliant scientist who's been branded a heretic after publication of her book, ''MysTech Awake!''<ref name="crho">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010424062707/http://www.anachronox.com/i_rho.asp | archive-date = 2001-04-24 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_rho.asp | title = Bio: Dr. Rho Bowman | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref>  The team then gains support from Democratus, an eccentric planet boasting a planetary ring and brilliant technology. Said technology includes having the planet shrink to human height to be part of the team. Two further allies are the [[femme fatale]] Stiletto Anyway—a 25-year-old former companion of Boots known for being stealthy and aloof<ref name="cstiletto">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212182043/http://www.anachronox.com/i_stiletto.asp | archive-date = 2001-12-12 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_stiletto.asp | title = Bio: Stiletto-Anyway | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref>—and Paco "El Puño" Estrella, a washed up superhero who's turned to alcoholism after his comic book series was canceled.<ref name="cpuno">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212175002/http://www.anachronox.com/i_paco.asp | archive-date = 2001-12-12 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/i_paco.asp | title = Bio: Paco "El Puño" Estrella | publisher = [[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Their foes include Detta, a heavyset crime boss/kingpin on planet Anachronox,<ref>{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Lower Alien Tunnels |quote='''Detta''': Look, boys… Losers. / '''Boots''': Well, well, well. If it ain't my favorite butter and egg man. Hey, Detta. Hear you're movin' up in the world. / '''Detta''': You're charm on legs, Crash. Too bad your mouth's smarter than the rest of you. [One of Detta's goons punches Boots in the stomach] Now your stomach's smart too.}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore">{{cite web |url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/anachronox/ |title = Anachronox - Hardcore Gaming 101 |last = Machado Pureza |first = Gabriel |work = Hardcore Gaming 101 |date = 2018-11-02 |access-date = 2018-11-04 |archive-date = 2018-11-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181105013659/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/anachronox/ |url-status = live }}</ref> and several other monsters and shady characters.

===Story===
Sly Boots lives in a cheap apartment above Rowdy's, a bar in the seedy "Bricks" section of South Anachronox. Grumpos Matavastros commissions Boots to find a piece of MysTech, but a crime boss called Detta accosts them and steals it. Grumpos, Boots, and robot assistant PAL-18 then seek out Dr. Rho Bowman, an expert on MysTech, at an institute for troublesome scientists on Sunder.<ref name="storyrainbow">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Brain Train |quote='''Fatima''': I can't find a listing in the Callosum Scientist Directory. The only reference I could find was a six-month old shipping log which shows laboratory equipment for an "R. Bowman" shipped to a building called the "Rainbow Sanctuary". / '''Perrot''': Beyond this gate is the Rainbow Sanctuary. It's restricted. Heretics only.}}</ref> She undertakes an experiment to activate MysTech, apparently causing the destruction of Sunder. Rho and the others escape the planet on a shuttle, and drift in space for seventeen days until they are brought on board a habitat ring around the planet Democratus. Rho discovers that all MysTech is now active, and can grant powers and spells.<ref name="storyactive">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Democratus Hangar |quote='''Rho''': Rho: Can I cook or what? The spatial disturbance that split Sunder in half must have activated my MysTech. And if I'm right about its properties, this isn't the only slag that's active. I think every slag of MysTech around the galaxy can now release the energy that's always been dormant inside it.}}</ref> Boots pilots a fighter ship to save Democratus from insectoid invaders known as the Verilent Hive. The heroes return to Sender Station's Lounge of Commerce; Democratus joins the party, the High Council having shrunken the planet to human height.<ref name="storydemocratusjoins">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Sender Station Lounge of Commerce |quote='''Democratus''': Ahem... Joining your quest is the least we can do for saving us. Our planet is at your disposal.}}</ref> While searching for equipment, Boots earns money as an erotic dancer and encounters Stiletto Anyway, an old flame who's become an assassin and plots revenge against Detta. Rho explains that the universe operates on the [[Big Bounce]] principle; a universe that forms with a [[Big Bang]] will eventually suffer a [[Big Crunch]], giving rise to a new Big Bang. She explains that Sunder was destroyed by an injection of matter from the previous universe, which will hasten the current universe's Big Crunch. If enough matter is switched between universes, the previous one can escape a Big Crunch and the current one will cease to exist.<ref name="storyrhoexplanations">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Sender Station Lounge of Commerce |quote='''Rho''': This is our universe. 15 billion years ago, the big bang erupted, giving birth to the cosmos in the blink of an eye. Hot matter was hurled in every direction, coalescing into stars and galaxies over the course of billions of years. As it continues to expand, the pull of gravity with sow this expansion more and more; eventually, it will stop expanding all together and contract, collapsing the whole ball of wax. This implosion in turn will cause another big bang, resulting in the birth of a new universe. Current science leads us to believe the cycle is infinite. Everyone with me? Fatima, loop our universe. Now, imagine what would happen if we added some mass to our universe. An increase in the amount of matter leads to an increase in the strength of the gravitational pull, speeding up the collapse. The more matter there is, the faster it will implode. My point is, the spatial disturbance that split Sunder in half was matter from the previous universe pouring into our own. The TDD confirms it. Not only is someone from the previous universe adding matter into our own, they're also removing matter from theirs at the same time. If they remove enough dirt from their backyard, they'll escape the gravitational pull that will otherwise cause their universe to collapse. That means our universe will never be born; we will never exist.}}</ref>

The team heads to Hephaestus, transformed to a tourist destination now that MysTech is active. They realize MysTech functions can be customized through the use of small, colored bugs and a MysTech host. Sly gains audience with the Grand Mysterium, who tells him that in the next universe, species known as "Chaos" and "Order" fought a bitter war.<ref name="storymysterium">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Sender Station Lounge of Commerce |quote='''Grand Mysterium''': The card in the center is our universe. Know then that there are two godlike forces beyond our galaxy, beyond even the end of our time. These two forces are warring, and their battle has spilled over into our universe. One of these forces, we shall call chaos. The other, we shall call order. Sometime ago, order trapped chaos in our universe. Chaos has been trying to escape ever since. Their goal is to reach the universe before our own; once there, they will attempt to destroy us. For if our universe never exists, neither will any of us after it. In essence, this would destroy order forever. Chaos is unconcerned with us; we are merely in the crossfire.}}</ref> Order enslaved Chaos in the current universe, but Chaos wishes to escape to the previous universe to prevent future ones from existing and thus eradicate Order.<ref name="storymysterium" /> The Mysterium tells Sly he must find and seal off the gate to the previous universe, and to journey to Limbus.<ref name="storymysterium" /> The team is captured en route by comic supervillain Rictus; Boots meets former superhero Paco in his prison. Rictus flushes them into empty space; the High Council of Democratus restores the planet to its original size to save them.

Scenes of reflection reveal the past on Anachronox. Stiletto had been Sly's young assistant at his upscale agency; he was in love with her, but Fatima was in love with him. Detta abducted Stiletto, spurring Sly's search. Her love unrequited, Fatima went into his office one night to leave a note of resignation.<ref name="storyfatima">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=North Anachronox |quote='''Fatima''': I've known for a long time you don't feel anything for me. The fact is, we both love people we can't have, and it's killing me. I can't work for you anymore; I have to leave. I guess tonight's a good a night as any to make my exit. Thank you for everything you've given me, and haven't given me. Have a beautiful life, Sly. I'll love you always. Yours truly, Fatima.}}</ref> Sly burst in with news of Stiletto's location, and he and Fatima pursued Detta across Anachronox by flying car. Sly lost control, wrecking it and accidentally killing Fatima. Suffering from major depression, Sly ran up debts with Detta to pay for Fatima's revival inside the LifeCursor.<ref name="storyfatima2">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Detta's Fortress |quote='''Detta''': I can see why you wanted to keep her around. She worth the price? / '''Boots''': Every penny. / '''Detta''': That's right, sweetie. I'm your benefactor. You owe your digitization...your existence, to me.}}</ref>

The team regather at Democratus and journey to Limbus, where they meet creatures of the same race as the Grand Mysterium. They repel invaders called the "Dark Servants" from an orbital portal. The leader of Limbus explains that though Chaos is enslaved in the current universe, the Dark Servants (who originate from the current universe) are trying to free them and have found a way into the previous universe, where they initiated the destruction of Sunder.<ref name="storyservants">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Limbus Sanctum |quote='''Santadramangetricus''': ...the Dark Servants. Only later did we find out who they really were: foot soldiers for an evil presence trapped in our universe... Their story begins 55 billion years from now, after our own universe has long been extinguished by time. Their true name is the Sh'tagra, highly evolved creatures of immense power. Chaos is their creed, and for centuries they have waged a brutal war against the Vaire, a race of equally powerful beings whose belief system centers on the order of the cosmos. On the verge of losing the war, the Vaire make a last-ditch effort to rid themselves of the Sh'tagra forever. They send the Sh'tagra back in time, across the fabric of space, trapping them in our universe. They also send back MysTech to help the unsuspecting inhabitants of the universe they've foisted their enemy upon... MysTech is very powerful, something a developing universe might abuse. The Vaire made sure MysTech would only activate if the fabric of the universe was tampered with. It was... It is the Dark Servants who are responsible for the destruction of servant. They found a way into the previous universe and have begun the process of destroying our own while they wait for our masters.}}</ref> MysTech is a gift from the forces of Order to help the current universe's inhabitants fight Chaos.<ref name="storyservants" /> The team return to Anachronox to find Rowdy, a disguised citizen of Limbus who has been searching for the gate to the previous universe.<ref name="storyroweid">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Limbus Sanctum |quote='''Santadramangetricus''': There is a strange, shifting world in the center of our galaxy. You must go there, and aid Roweidekhalicon, a fellow member of the vigil, who's been on a lifelong search for the echo gate. He owns a drinking establishment in south Anachronox. / '''Boots''': You're so talking to the right guy.}}</ref> Rowdy notes that they must destroy the key to the gate, now in the possession of Detta. The team infiltrate his fortress, kill him, and prepare to destroy the key at the gate itself—the fountain spiral of Anachronox. Grumpos seizes it, revealing himself to be a Dark Servant; he escapes with the agents of Chaos into the previous universe.<ref name="storygrumposevil">{{cite video game | title =Anachronox | developer =Ion Storm | publisher =Ion Storm | date=2001-06-27 | platform =PC |level=Anachronox Fountain Spiral |quote='''Grumpos''': Well, here goes! / '''Boots''': What are you doing?! / '''Grumpos''': What must be done!}}</ref> Sly and the others prepare to follow them and save the universe; the game ends as they approach the gate.

== Development ==

===Conception===
[[Ion Storm]] began developing ''Anachronox'' in 1996, funded by [[Eidos Interactive]] as part of a three-game deal alongside ''[[Daikatana]]'' and an unplanned third game.<ref name="viceretro">{{cite web |last1=Fyfe |first1=Duncan |title=How Kindness Saved the Cult Hit 'Anachronox' from the Wreck of Ion Storm |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-kindness-saved-the-cult-hit-anachronox-from-the-wreck-of-ion-storm/ |website=Vice.com |date=29 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> Formal announcement followed in April 1997, promising a third-quarter 1998 release.<ref name="firstwire">{{cite news | title = ION Storm Reveals Plans for Premiere Line-Up of Computer Game Titles | date=1997-04-07 | publisher = [[Business Wire]]}}</ref> Tom Hall, veteran designer and one of the founders of Ion Storm, helmed the project and originated most of its story and design. Other founding members of the team were Todd Porter (producer), Jake Hughes (associate producer and director of cinematics), Ben Herrera (artist), Brian Eiserloh (programmer), and David Namaksy (lead mapper).<ref name="gamespotdiary1" /> Mapper Larry Herring was hired after being mentored by [[John Romero]] and submitting a custom ''[[Doom 2]]'' map to Tom Hall.<ref name="herringinterview">{{cite web | year = 1998 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/Storm.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011123172019/http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/Storm.htm | first = William | last = Haskins | title=Storm Troopers: A Ride with the Rocketman |archive-date=2001-11-23 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Hall first conceived ''Anachronox'' in his bathroom, prompting him to install a whiteboard and sound-recorder in his shower, as well as several notepads around his house for future ideas;<ref name="gamespotdiary1" /><ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> he had conceived the character Sly Boots years earlier in college.<ref name="planethall">{{cite web | date = 1998-03-27 | url = http://planetanachronox.com/features/interviews/tomhall032798.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030827095639/http://planetanachronox.com/features/interviews/tomhall032798.shtml | title=Tom Hall and the Crezzy Man's Universe |archive-date=2003-08-27 | publisher=PlaneAnachronox}}</ref> He wrote a 460-page design document (completed in May 1997)<ref name="gamespotdiary1">{{cite web | date = 1997-05-30 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/053097/053097.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818123754/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/053097/053097.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - May 30, 1997 |archive-date=2000-08-18 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> outlining the universe of ''Anachronox'', beyond the game's scope;<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> other game design documents of the period, he noted, were usually only 125 pages in size.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> He then condensed the story, leaving a third beyond the scheduled game.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> The game's design phase lasted three months.<ref name="gamespyhinterview">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.gamespy.com/interviews/hall.shtm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816002836/http://www.gamespy.com/interviews/hall.shtm | first = Sal | last = Accardo |author2=Kosak, Dave | title=Legends of the Hall |archive-date=2000-08-16 | publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> Hall made plans for two [[expansion pack]]s from the outset of development, owing to the huge story.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Developers told ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' the story would be "[[Joseph Campbell|Campbellian]]" and feature immense environments.<ref name="ngmpreview">{{cite web | date = 1999-04-23 | url = http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/previews/3548_1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012122532/http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/previews/3548_1.html | title=From Ion Storm and Eidos comes the East meets West, PC meets Console RPG, Anachronox, this week's 3dfx Game of the Week |archive-date=1999-10-12 | work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]}}</ref> Hall noted in mid-1997, "Not since ''[[Commander Keen|Keen]]'' has a universe been so clear in my head."<ref name="gamespotdiary1" />

Tom Hall announced that ''Anachronox'' would feature a "turbulent story with a roller coaster of emotion", and promised it would bring personality and humor to the role-playing genre.<ref name="firstwire" /> Hall aimed to make an emotionally gripping, cinematic experience from the beginning: "I want this game to answer the question, 'Can a computer make you cry?' I want to make the characters so warm and friendly and lovable and identifiable... I want to start them off in fun situations, but as the game goes on, I want the atmosphere to get darker and darker. Friends betray the lead character, other friends die, and you will feel some of what they feel because you have been with these people for 50 hours, and in a sense, lived part of their lives with them."<ref name="bostonglobe">{{cite news | first = Michael | last = Saunders | title = The next Hollywood: It's getting harder to tell the movies from the computer games | work = [[The Boston Globe]] | date = 1997-11-23 | page = N1}}</ref> Hall remarked that the characters were facets of his childhood.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> He later compared the name ''Anachronox'' (meaning poison from the past) and the internal struggles of each character, caused by turbulent events in their pasts and "psychic poison."<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /><ref name="computerandvideopreview" /> Hall aimed to feature high-quality direction and camera-work in ''Anachronox'',<ref name="ngmpreview" /> reminiscent of epic cinematic themes in role-playing video games like the ''Final Fantasy'' franchise.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /><ref name="oldcgw01">{{cite magazine | year = 1997 | url = http://cgw.gamespot.com/preview/2c46.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980416044813/http://cgw.gamespot.com/preview/2c46.html | first = Elliot | last = Chin | title=Preview - Anachronox - Tom Hall Explains His Role-Playing Vision | archive-date=1998-04-16 | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]}}</ref> Hall enlisted producer Jake Hughes to direct cut scenes; Hughes had previously worked on several short independent films.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Developers used real-time game cutscenes instead of [[live-action]] cinematics to avoid "[taking] players out of the game."<ref name="machinimachoice">{{cite magazine | title = The animation game; Could movies made from video games soon have Hollywood on the run? Celeste Biever enters a world where killer robots commune and lumberjacks accidentally shoot each other | date=2003-10-25 | first = Celeste | last = Biever | magazine = [[New Scientist]] | page = 28 | publisher = Reed Business Information UK}}</ref> Hall remarked, "All these games switch to cutscenes that look five hundred times better than the game. The secret is not to let the cutscenes kick the game's ass."<ref name="pcgamerpreview" />

Tom Hall chose the [[Quake engine|''Quake'' engine]] for ''Anachronox''; its developer [[John Carmack]] took interest in its use for a role-playing game.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Ion Storm would soon switch to the [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]], necessitating a transition from December 1997 to March 1998.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /><ref name="gamespotdiary7">{{cite web | date = 1998-03-06 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/22098/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818123557/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/22098/index.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - March 6, 1998 |archive-date=2000-08-18 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The team would implement engine support for [[32-bit color]], particle systems, a spline-based camera scriptor, facial deformations, and lip-synching.<ref name="computerandvideopreview" /> The team mimicked filmography via sweeping camera shots to compensate for graphical limitations.<ref name="viceretro" /> Facial deformation involved moving the vertices of a character's face, thereby creating emotional expressions and body language.<ref name="gamespyhinterview" /> Developers built the first models in [[LightWave 3D|Lightwave]]; the main characters had polygon counts of 500–700.<ref name="planethosfelt">{{cite web | date = 1998-10-23 | url = http://planetanachronox.com/features/interviews/jayh102198.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031025220205/http://planetanachronox.com/features/interviews/jayh102198.shtml | title=Jay Hosfelt vs. The 13th Arm |archive-date=2003-10-25 | publisher=PlaneAnachronox}}</ref> By the end of 1997, Hall had scripted interaction with 130 non-player characters for 160 planned locations.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Hall cited ''Chrono Trigger'' as a strong influence;<ref name="pcgamerpreview">{{cite magazine | year = 1997 | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/p_anachronox.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218063756/http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/p_anachronox.html | title=Anachronox - Check out Tom Hall's next game |archive-date=1998-02-18 | magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref><ref name="ngmpreview3">{{cite magazine | date = May 1999 | magazine = [[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | volume = 1 | issue = 53 | pages = 36–37 | title=Anachronox - The third leg in Ion Storm's triad may turned out to be its most underrated | publisher=Imagine Media}}</ref> previewers drew parallels with the ''Final Fantasy'' series and ''[[Ultima III]]''.<ref name="oldcgmwebsitelaunch" /> As in ''Chrono Trigger'', battles were scripted and not caused by random, unavoidable encounters.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Hall explained, "if there's a dragon guarding a door, I want the chance to say, 'whoah, look at the time, gotta run', not, 'think I'll check this door. (*roaaar*) Dragon? Where the hell was ''that''?!?'"<ref name="oldcgm02" /> The team expanded the ''Final Fantasy''-style combat by allowing actions to be queued in advance.<ref name="oldcgm02" /> Hall listed some of his inspirations for ''Anachronox'' in mid-2000: "In movies, some inspirational people are [[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg]], [[Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcock]], [[George Roy Hill]], [[Rob Reiner]], and now [[Sam Mendes]]. Also a big fan of [[Chuck Jones]], who directed Warner Brothers cartoons. Novels: ''[[Gateway (novel)|Gateway]]'', ''[[Ender's Game]]'', ''[[Snow Crash]]'', ''[[Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|Hitchhiker's]]'', so many more. Games: ''Chrono Trigger'', ''Final Fantasy'', LucasArts adventures ([[Ron Gilbert]] and [[Tim Schafer]] rock), ''[[Ape Escape]]'' (buy it now), ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'', ''Ultima III'', ''[[Wizardry I]]'', oh, I'm sure I'm forgetting some!"<ref name="teamigninterview">{{cite web | date = 2000-04-28 | url = http://rpgvault.ign.com/features/interviews/anox.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031185954/http://rpgvault.ign.com/features/interviews/anox.shtml | title=Anachronox interview | first = Dan | last = Sullivan |archive-date=2001-10-31 | url-status = dead | website=IGN}}</ref> Hall also drew dramatic inspiration from a scene in ''Chrono Trigger'' in which the characters discuss the theme of regret around a campfire.<ref name="ngmpreview3" />

===Programming and design===
As production continued, Tom Hall dubbed the game's scripting language "APE" (Anachronox Programming Language).<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Hall explained, "I call it my new Apple II because it's so much fun to program in and it takes all the drudgery out of it. It's sort of if you mushed together C, Basic and Java in a way—for programming people it's sort of Windows based. It began as a defined dialogue window, but provided variables so that you could position and move a picture. So from there it grew like UNIX with little bits and pieces, and you have things that initialize data to the window, things that constantly update the window, and things that happen after the window, in little code chunks and with that you can do any little thing."<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Hall wrote and coded the mini-game Bugaboo for ''Anachronox'' in 15 hours to demonstrate the environment's simplicity.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Other tools developed for the game were B.E.D. (a battle editor), ION Radiant (for level design, based on [[QERadiant]]), NoxDrop (for item and character placement), and Planet (a spline-based camera system coded by Joey Liaw).<ref name="gamespyhinterview" /><ref name="sitetools">{{cite web | year = 2001 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/editing.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010405160458/http://www.anachronox.com/editing.asp | title=Editing |archive-date=2001-04-05 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Ion Storm worked with [[QuakeEd]] developer Robert Duffy to create QERadiant, later adapted to ION Radiant.<ref name="herringinterview" /> Hall lauded Planet: "you can control entities on paths, trigger events, manipulate particles, and do just about anything you please. One of the more common team beliefs is that the only true limit to Planet is the person controlling it."<ref name="sitetools" /> Hall aimed to provide several end-user modification tools, such as one to allow gamers to create their own MysTech elements.<ref name="oldcgw01" /> Other programs would allow implementation of new dialogue, voice-acting, and camera work.<ref name="oldcgm01">{{cite magazine | date = 1998-10-06 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/153 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021212140209/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/153/anachronox_preview.html | title=Ion Storm's First Fantasy | first = Steve | last = Bauman |archive-date=2002-12-12 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> Ion Storm developed tutorials and documentation for each tool.<ref name="ngmpreview2" />

Developers tasked both art and map design personnel with creating levels, ensuring visual quality.<ref name="visualquality">{{cite web | year = 1999 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/zdimshoptalk.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010307071905/http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/zdimshoptalk.htm | title=Zdim - Roving Reporter |archive-date=2001-03-07 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Hall implemented a "grow as you play" philosophy, choosing to show certain features and statistics (like "Beat" or the use of MysTech) only after the player enabled their use.<ref name="oldcgm02" /> Developers sought to make the game accessible to expert and casual players through two statistic displays—numerical or qualitative (using categories such as "very good" or "bad").<ref name="oldcgm02" /> Hall disparaged complicated number systems found in other games: "One of the things I hate about RPGs is, you've got, like, 'here's this thing and here's that thing' and it's like 'this is 52 and that's 53' I mean, what's the difference? It's like, OK it's 'a point,' and the formula will come up to be like 'two points' and like, sure, that's going to make a difference. So now I have to hit the guy three times..."<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Hall also sought to ensure players knew their next goal, and invented the character of Fatima Doohan to keep track of missions. Fatima's name is a pun born from the phrase, "What am I doing?"<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> Hall named her after the experience of loading an old saved game in an RPG and having forgotten what comes next in the current quest or storyline.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" />

Ion Storm contracted [[Soundelux Design Music Group]] to provide music for ''Anachronox''.<ref name="sitediary07" /> The firm hired [[Bill Brown (composer)|Bill Brown]] for additional music.<ref name="billbrown">{{cite web|url=http://billbrownmusic.com/credits.php |first=Bill |last=Brown |title=Credits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227053050/http://billbrownmusic.com/credits.php |archive-date=2011-02-27 }}</ref> Tom Hall was impressed with Brown's work, particularly music for the planet Democratus.<ref name="sitediary07" /> Hall worked with musician Ron Jones and a local Dallas band to record the game's two [[funk]] numbers by mid-1998.<ref name="gamespotdiary8">{{cite web | date = 1998-04-03 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/040398/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818123540/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/040398/index.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - April 3, 1998 |archive-date=2000-08-18 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Tom Hall planned for each character to have their own theme music, and for songs to change via interaction or exploration.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> He spoke of the planned music, "The Anachronox sound will be industrial, mixed with forties bluesy swing. As you get on later in the game, the music gets scarier, more chaotic, and gets down to hard-core metal."<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> Developers integrated [[DirectMusic]] support in 1999 to allow dynamic changing of background music.<ref name="directmusic">{{cite press release |title=Microsoft Ships DirectX 6.1; Latest Upgrade to Windows Operating Systems' Services for Multimedia Introduces DirectMusic, a Revolutionary Technology for Music Production And Performance |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |date=1999-02-03}}</ref> Sound programmer Henrik Jonsson implemented 3D sound and other capabilities using the [[Miles Sound System]].<ref name="teamigninterview" /> Developers also planned to use software called Magpie Pro to lip-sync animated mouths to spoken words.<ref name="pcgamerpreview" /> The team chose not to record voices for each line of dialogue, as Tom Hall felt certain speech would become repetitive.<ref name="oldcgmfeature" /> The [[Undermain Theatre]] group of Dallas provided several voices.<ref name="teamigninterview" /> Tom Hall voiced PAL-18 reportedly because "no one else got it goofy enough".<ref name="oldcgmfeature">{{cite magazine | date = 2001-01-08 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/094/010108-01.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030130164822/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/094/010108-01.html | title=The 10-ton RPG - Tom Hall shows off his babe-in-arms, Anachronox | first = Cindy | last = Yans |archive-date=2003-01-30 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref>

===Promotion and later development===
Ion Storm debuted a trailer for the game at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 1997.<ref name="gamespotdiary2">{{cite web | date = 1997-06-17 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/061897/061897.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818123731/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/061897/061897.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - June 17, 1997 |archive-date=2000-08-18 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The team worked several long nights and slept in a cardboard fort (named "Fort Nox") in the office to prepare the trailer.<ref name="gamespotdiary2" /> A thief stole the developers' laptop at the Dallas airport, requiring Ion Storm to upload a new demo for the conference.<ref name="tomsbraine397">{{cite web | date = July 1997 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/04/main.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010307070741/http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/04/main.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Inside Tom's Brain: E3 1997 |archive-date=2001-03-07 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Hall continued writing and designing; he invented the Brebulan language by creating several phonemes and glyphs of the letter 8 turned on its side.<ref name="gamespyhinterview" /> Ben Herrera completed several sketches of characters and worlds by August 1997, and the team hoped to achieve full engine functionality by September 2, Hall's birthday.<ref name="gamespotdiary3">{{cite web | date = 1997-07-16 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/071697/071697.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980121160611/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/071697/071697.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - July 16, 1997 |archive-date=1998-01-21 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> The game would suffer serious delays in its production.<ref name="dallasstorm">{{cite news | last = Godinez | first = Victor | title = Game programmers survive the Storm - Former ION studio executives to teach classes at UTD | work = [[The Dallas Morning News]] | page = 1F | date = 2002-07-06}}</ref><ref name="scotsmanreview">{{cite news | title = Game of the Week: Anachronox | work = [[The Scotsman]] | date = 2002-07-21 | publisher = European Intelligence Wire}}</ref> Eidos regularly sent producer James Poole to Dallas to check progress.<ref name="viceretro" /> After Ion Storm exhausted the initial $13 million provided for ''Daikatana'' and ''Anachronox'', Eidos purchased a controlling stake in the company to install John Kavanagh as president in hopes of speeding development; monthly expenditures meanwhile rose to $1.2 million.<ref name="viceretro" />

Ion Storm solicited feedback from fans after demonstrating progress on ''Anachronox'' at E3 1998,<ref name="boothwire">{{cite news | title = Tomb Raider III debuts at Electronic Entertainment Expo | date=1998-05-28 | work = [[Business Wire]] | publisher = Business Wire, Inc.}}</ref> and assured inclusion of a multiplayer mode.<ref name="e3981">{{cite news | last = Polak | first = Steve | title = Dungeon of Deadly Deeds | work = [[The Australian]] | page = C12 | date = 1998-10-27}}</ref> Tom Hall touted, "It is going to be very cinematic and about as non-linear as you can get. Some levels will be bigger than anything ever seen in a 3-D environment. We are really pushing the engine for this, with loads of textures."<ref name="e3982">{{cite news | last = Wapshott | first = Tim | title = E3 adds 3-D to equation...to the power of X | work = [[The Times]] | page = Interface 10 | date = 1998-06-03}}</ref> Developers made two demonstrations; the second featured lasers, lens flare, and volumetric fog.<ref name="tomsbraine398">{{cite web | date = June 1998 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/15/main.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010307070743/http://www.ionstorm.com/news/archived_shiat/15/main.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Inside Tom's Brain: E3 1998 |archive-date=2001-03-07 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> The gaming press received ''Anachronox'' well; one reporter wrote the game was "stunningly beautiful...[with] some of the most superb effects ever seen in a computer game, including rippling water, stunning laser lights and shadow effects".<ref name="e3982" /> Another wrote that the game would be "graphically spectacular, with detailed characters".<ref name="e3981" /> Panelists at E3 nominated ''Anachronox'' in the "Most Promising Game" and "Best RPG" categories for the [[Game Critics Awards]].<ref name="gamespotdiary9">{{cite web | date = 1998-07-20 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/072098/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817085810/http://www.gamespot.com/features/anachronox_dd/072098/index.html | first = Tom | last = Hall | title=Designer Diaries: Anachronox - July 20, 1998 |archive-date=2000-08-17 | website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Ion Storm planned for a 1999 release,<ref name="e3982" /> and unveiled new screenshots at the 1998 [[European Computer Trade Show]].<ref name="oldcgmeuro">{{cite magazine | date = 1998-09-11 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/069/anacrhonox_screenshots.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021215113600/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/069/anacrhonox_screenshots.html | title=A look at designer Tom Hall's 3D RPG | first = Jason | last = Ocampo | archive-date=2002-12-15 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> Among the game's maps developed in 1998 were Hephaestus (polished by David Namaksy); Whitendon ([[Iikka Keränen]]); Democratus, "Matrix 0", and certain interiors of Anachronox (Larry Herring); and the city of Limbus (Rich Carlson).<ref name="herringinterview" /><ref name="gamespotdiary8" /> Lead programmer Joey Liaw left Ion Storm to attend Stanford University in mid-1998.<ref name="oldcgmliaw">{{cite magazine | date = 1998-08-10 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/013/154/anachronox_programmer_goes_to_school.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021215104956/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/013/154/anachronox_programmer_goes_to_school.html | title=Ion Storm's First Fantasy | first = Jason | last = Ocampo | archive-date=2002-12-15 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> That November, several developers at Ion Storm departed to form their own company; among them was David Namaksy, lead level designer for ''Anachronox''.<ref name="isdeparture">{{cite news | last = Goldstein | first = Alan | title = Eight Ion Storm designers leave to start own venture firm says loss won't affect Daikatana video game debut | work = [[The Dallas Morning News]] | page = 1F | date = 1998-11-21}}</ref> Leaked e-mails evidencing leadership struggles at Ion Storm the following January eroded morale among the remaining team.<ref name="portershipper" /><ref name="viceretro" />

As of January 1999, Ion Storm CEO Todd Porter expected the game to ship 2.5 million copies.<ref name="portershipper">{{cite news | first = Christine | last = Biederman | title = Stormy weather; Hot new computer game maker ION Storm appears to have all it needs for success -- top talent, plenty of money, and legions of anxious fans. So why is its future so cloudy? | work = [[Dallas Observer]] | date = 1999-01-14}}</ref> Ion Storm decided to produce a sequel for ''Anachronox'' around early 1999, feeling there would otherwise be too much content for one game, requiring prohibitive costs and delays.<ref name="oldcgmhalf">{{cite magazine | date = 2000-07-14 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/171/anach.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040103093147/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/171/anach.html | title=Anachronox times two | first = James | last = Fudge | archive-date=2004-01-03 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name="bluenewsstory">{{cite web|date=2000-07-12 |url=http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/finger.pl?id=153&time=20000712162542 |title=.plan file for Brian "Squirrel" Eiserloh |first=Brian |last=Eiserloh |publisher=[[Ion Storm]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708074339/http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/finger.pl?id=153&time=20000712162542 |archive-date=2011-07-08 }}</ref> Team member Brian Eiserloh noted that several art assets had already been created for the sequel.<ref name="bluenewsstory" /> By May 1999, the team had settled on a cast of 450 non-player characters,<ref name="ngmpreview3" /> and planned for a late 1999 or early 2000 release date.<ref name="autumn99">{{cite news | title = Ahead of the game: how the Top 20 could look | page = I10 | work = [[The Times]] | date = 1999-05-19 }}</ref><ref name="early2000">{{cite news | first1 = Mike | last1 = Snyder | first2 = Andre | last2 = Montgomery | title = Game for some high-powered electronic entertainment? Action that gets things shaking | page = 5D | work = [[USA Today]] | date = 1999-05-17 }}</ref> Ion Storm launched the ''Anachronox'' website in early 1999 with a movie-style [[trailer (film)|trailer]].<ref name="oldcgmwebsitelaunch">{{cite magazine | date = 1999-03-18 | first = James | last = Fudge | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/018/110/noxnet.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021215103138/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/018/110/noxnet.html | title=Ion Storm Launches Anachronox Web Site |archive-date=2002-12-15 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> Tom Hall featured four ''Anachronox'' non-player characters in his online tongue-in-cheek spoof of [[Kasparov versus the World]].<ref name="oldcgmversus">{{cite magazine | date = 1999-07-31 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/021/155/hall_world.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021220193124/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/021/155/hall_world.html | title=Tom Hall vs the World | first = James | last = Fudge | archive-date=2002-12-20 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name="hallversusworld">{{cite web | year = 1999 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/games/chess/chess.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000417102435/http://www.ionstorm.com/games/chess/chess.htm | title=Hall vs. the World | first = Tom | last = Hall | archive-date=2000-04-17 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Among the game's maps completed in 1999 were the Bricks slums of Anachronox (Seneca Menard), Ballotine (Josh Jay), Sender Station (Lee Dotson), others parts of Democratus (Matt Sophos), the Casinox area of Anachronox (Brian Patenaude), and the junkyard maze of Anachronox.<ref name="sitediary04">{{cite web | date = 1999-07-14 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry04.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011117092126/http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry04.asp | title=Anachronox Diary: Entry #4 | first = Tom | last = Hall | archive-date=2001-11-17 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Tom Hall reported in 1999 that an option was being developed to remove adult themes, later manifested as an option to turn off profanity.<ref name="gamenoir" /> Ion Storm demonstrated the game at E3 1999; the team drove an [[RV]] to the event, which suffered a blowout and electrical failure.<ref name="teamigninterview" /> ''Computer Games Magazine'' afterward commented that ''Anachronox'' had "wider roots than a Banyan grove and more promise per square byte than a CD collection of political speeches."<ref name="oldcgm02" />

Hall personally invented and scripted Boots's erotic dancing mini-game.<ref name="sitediary07">{{cite web | date = 2000-04-10 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry07.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212222905/http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry07.asp | title=Anachronox Diary: Entry #7 | first = Tom | last = Hall | archive-date=2001-12-12 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> He noted, "we're not above degrading our main character."<ref name="computerandvideopreview">{{cite magazine | date = 2001-08-14 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/6159/previews/anachronox/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811005949/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/6159/previews/anachronox/ | archive-date=2011-08-11 | title=Elvis Bacon reveals the truth hiding beneath the overcoat | magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] | access-date = 2010-12-12}}</ref> Ion Storm showed off the mini-game at E3 2000, drawing humored reactions.<ref name="igne3erotic">{{cite web | date = 2000-05-20 | archive-date = 2002-02-12 | url = http://rpgvault.ign.com/features/specials/anachronoxE3.shtml/ | first = Dan | last = Sullivan | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020212161213/http://rpgvault.ign.com/features/specials/anachronoxE3.shtml | title=E3 Report: Anachronox | url-status = dead | website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Art director Lee Perry noted in March 2000 that perfecting the battle system was the biggest remaining hurdle for release.<ref name="voodooextremeinterview">{{cite web | date = 2000-03-15 | url = http://www.voodooextreme.com/games/interviews/leep.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001211024700/http://www.voodooextreme.com/games/interviews/leep.html | title=Q&A with Ion Storm's Lee Perry | first = Chris | last = O'Brien |author2=Wilson, Billy |archive-date=2000-12-11 | publisher=Voodoo Extreme}}</ref> Ion Storm promoted a fall 2000 release date in May,<ref name="mmwiredate">{{cite news | title = mmWire News Briefs -- Activision, Recoton, bleem, 3DO, ZD, id, Midway, Sierra, Red Storm, Acclaim, EA, Infogrames, THQ, Eidos, Codemasters, Crave, LucasArts | date=2000-05-08 | publisher = MmWire}}</ref> and [[IGN]] reported in July that a [[Dreamcast]] port of ''Anachronox'' was planned for production after the PC version's release.<ref name="igndreamcast">{{cite web|date=2000-07-12 |url=http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/082/082058p1.html |title=Anachronox Rumors Find Some Fact |first=Brandon |last=Justice |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004440/http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/082/082058p1.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> Ion Storm issued a clarification that they were only considering a Dreamcast port.<ref name="igndreamcast2">{{cite web | archive-date = 2001-09-11 | date = 2000-07-12 | url = http://www.ionstorm.com/news/daily_informant/071200_072100.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010911170952/http://www.ionstorm.com/news/daily_informant/071200_072100.htm | title=Anachronox Rumor Central | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> The team finished the game's control setup in August.<ref name="tomhallplan1">{{cite web|date=2000-08-23 |url=http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=tom&id=14674 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001022052725/http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=tom&id=14674 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2000 |title=GameFinger Plan: Tom Hall |publisher=Tom Hall }}</ref> Ion Storm loaned staff to the team of ''Daikatana'' to speed its release in summer 2000.<ref name="grandadmiralperry">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.ga-rpg.com/article.cfm?id=3861 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417045501/http://www.ga-rpg.com/article.cfm?id=3861 | title=Anachronox Development Update | first = Lee | last = Perry |archive-date=2001-04-17 | url-status = usurped | publisher=GA-RPG.com}}</ref> Though losing money, Eidos allowed development of ''Anachronox'' to continue due their high esteem of Tom  Hall, as well as a desire not to punish the game's team for the delays resulting from assisting ''Daikatana''.<ref name="viceretro" /> Eidos maintained no expectations of profit, and merely hoped ''Anachronox'' would recoup its budget.<ref name="viceretro" />

The team began working six-day weeks by late 2000.<ref name="sitediary07" /> By 2001, the team was working 12- to 16-hour days and 6- to 7-day weeks.<ref name="sitediary08">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry08.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212204646/http://www.anachronox.com/diary/entry08.asp | title=Anachronox Diary: Entry #8 | first = Tom | last = Hall | archive-date=2001-12-12 | publisher=[[Ion Storm]]}}</ref> Hall described weekly bug meetings before release: "you see 100 bugs at the start of the week, fix the 80 you can replicate, and then meet the next Monday to address the 200 bugs they found, fix the 160 you can replicate, then meet to discuss the 400 they found...the time in-between is scary. Usually, the programmers find the bug, then stumble out of their cube, 'we were SO lucky to find that' or 'how did that EVER work?' It's like some bizarre divination method that no one is quite sure how it finds things, but no one wants to 'disturb the mojo'."<ref name="sitediary08" /> Several Internet rumors that Ion Storm would soon close spread in May 2001.<ref name="ignrumors">{{cite web|date=2001-05-30 |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/095/095352p1.html |title=ION Rumors Rebuffed |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004545/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/095/095352p1.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> By June 2001, all dialogue had been recorded and Ion Storm was working on balancing, playtesting, and adjusting gameplay; release was set for the next month.<ref name="computergamingworldplaytesting">{{cite magazine | title = Updates - Pipeline | date=June 2001 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | page = 41 | issue = 203}}</ref> ''Anachronox'' went [[Software release life cycle|gold]] and shipped to manufacturers in late June.<ref name="igngold">{{cite web|date=2001-06-19 |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/095/095929p1.html |title=Anachronox Officially Goes Gold |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004551/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/095/095929p1.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref>

=== Release and patches ===
''Anachronox'' was released on June 27, 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2002 |title=Readers' Vote: Best Game No One Played 2001 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/11/readers-vote-best-game-no-one-played-2001 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> in North America, July 6 in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Anachronox'' |url=http://chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=4554 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020105164338/http://chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=4554 |archive-date=January 5, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=Chipsworld}}</ref> and July 31 in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Anachronox'' |url=http://www.atari.com.au/product/?action=view&id=442 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031118060933/http://www.atari.com.au/product/?action=view&id=442 |archive-date=November 18, 2003 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=[[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari Australia]]}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' packaged a [[game demo]] of ''Anachronox'' with its 100th issue.<ref name="pcgamerdemo">{{cite magazine | title = Updates - Pipeline | date=2001-07-28 | magazine = [[The Grocer]] | page = 52}}</ref> ''The Canberra Times'' staged a giveaway of three game copies to coincide with its release in Oceania.<ref name="canberratimesgiveaway">{{cite news | title = Giveaways | work = [[The Canberra Times]] | date = 2001-09-03 | page = A17}}</ref> By the end of 2001, sales of ''Anachronox'' in North America had reached 20,480 units, according to [[PC Data]].<ref name=randysales3>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020619111456/http://www.justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/Mar-02/sales2001.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/Mar-02/sales2001.shtm | title=State of Adventure Gaming - March 2002 - 2001 Sales Table | date=March 2002 | author=Sluganski, Randy | archive-date=June 19, 2002 | work=[[Just Adventure]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' later estimated sales four months after initial launch at 40,000 units.<ref name="viceretro" /> The game was rereleased in Oceania as a budget title in 2004.<ref name="melbournerelease">{{cite news | last = Jones | first = Heddwyn | title = Battle fatigue | work = [[Herald Sun]] | page = C04 | date = 2004-10-06}}</ref>

Team member Lucas Davis compiled the development tools and documentation for ''Anachronox'' and released them in August 2001.<ref name="devtools">{{cite web | date = 2001-08-23 | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/63920/60000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Editing-Tools-and-Docs-v1.2 | title = Anachronox Editing Tools and Docs v1.2 | publisher = FilePlanet | access-date = 2011-02-01 | archive-date = 2011-07-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001348/http://www.fileplanet.com/63920/60000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Editing-Tools-and-Docs-v1.2 | url-status = live }}</ref> Four bug-fixing patches exist for ''Anachronox''. Ion Storm created the first (1.01), which fixes a buffer overrun crash occurring especially under Windows 2000.<ref name="patch101ign">{{cite web|date=2001-07-02 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/096/096271p1.html |title=Anachronox Patch |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=2011-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005139/http://pc.ign.com/articles/096/096271p1.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref><ref name="patch101">{{cite web|date=2003-05-27|url=http://www.fileplanet.com/62153/60000/fileinfo/Anachronox-v1.01-patch|title=Anachronox v1.01 patch|publisher=FilePlanet|access-date=2023-06-07|archive-date=2011-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923082557/http://www.fileplanet.com/62153/60000/fileinfo/Anachronox-v1.01-patch|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="planeiserlohpatch">{{cite web | date = 2001-06-28 | url = http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=squirrel&id=15476 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040324043055/http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=squirrel&id=15476 | last = Eiserloh | first = Brian | title=GameFinger Plan: Brian Eiserloh | publisher=PlanetQuake | archive-date = 2004-03-24}}</ref> Ion Storm released the first patch (1.01) on July 2, 2001, shortly before its offices were shuttered.<ref name="patch101ign" /><ref name="viceretro" /> Joey Liaw set up a [[GeoCities]] website for reporting bugs and technical information after the game's release, and worked on a new patch in his spare time.<ref name="planliawpatch">{{cite web | date = 2001-08-21 | url = http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=joey&id=15559 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040324043659/http://finger.planetquake.com/plan.asp?userid=joey&id=15559 | last = Liaw | first = Joey | title=GameFinger Plan: Joey Liaw | publisher=PlanetQuake | archive-date = 2004-03-24}}</ref> The second patch (1.02, or build 44) was released in May 2003. This patch overhauls the save-game system, adds taxi-cabs between distant points in the Bricks and provides important stability fixes.<ref name="patch102build44">{{cite web | date = 2003-05-27 | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/124622/120000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Unofficial-Patch | title = Anachronox Unofficial Patch | publisher = FilePlanet | access-date = 2011-02-01 | archive-date = 2011-07-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001402/http://www.fileplanet.com/124622/120000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Unofficial-Patch | url-status = live }}</ref> It was followed by another patch by Joey Liaw, version 1.02 (build 45), released September 2003.<ref name="patch102build45">{{cite web | date = 2003-09-04 | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/129921/120000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Unofficial-Patch-Update | title = Anachronox Unofficial Patch Update | publisher = FilePlanet | access-date = 2011-02-01 | archive-date = 2011-07-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001436/http://www.fileplanet.com/129921/120000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Unofficial-Patch-Update | url-status = live }}</ref> In April 2004, a fan-made [[unofficial patch]] got released (version 1.02 (build 46) which fixes most of the remaining bugs.<ref name="patch102build46">{{cite web | date = 2004-04-12 | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/138812/130000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Patch-v1.02-Build-46 | title = Anachronox Patch v1.02 Build 46 | publisher = FilePlanet | access-date = 2011-02-01 | archive-date = 2011-04-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110411154814/http://www.fileplanet.com/138812/130000/fileinfo/Anachronox-Patch-v1.02-Build-46 | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Fan translation of video games|Fans have translated]] the game into German and released a conversion patch.<ref name="patchgerman1">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829011430/http://www.easy-fos.de/anachronox/MenueEng.htm|url=http://www.easy-fos.de/anachronox/MenueEng.htm|title=Anachronox German Language Pack Project |archive-date=2004-08-29|date=2004-08-29 |url-status=usurped|access-date=2010-09-11}}</ref><ref name="patchgerman2">{{cite web | date = 2004-04-12 | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/138814/130000/fileinfo/Anachronox-German-Language-Pack | title = Anachronox German Language Patch | publisher = FilePlanet | access-date = 2011-02-01 | archive-date = 2011-07-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001453/http://www.fileplanet.com/138814/130000/fileinfo/Anachronox-German-Language-Pack | url-status = live }}</ref> Level designer Rich Carlson released a scrapped secret level for ''Anachronox'' in February 2004 after finding it on an old [[floppy disk]].<ref name="oblivionmap">{{cite web|date=2004-02-29 |first=Rich |last=Carlson |url=http://www.digital-eel.com/blog/ob.htm |title=O B L I V I O N |publisher=Rich Carlson |access-date=2011-02-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710124650/http://www.digital-eel.com/blog/ob.htm |archive-date=2011-07-10 }}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 80%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/196605-anachronox/index.html |title=Anachronox for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2020-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209015255/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/196605-anachronox/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| MC = 77/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/anachronox/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Anachronox for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2020-05-09 |archive-date=2020-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901123523/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/anachronox |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Anachronox'' earned positive reviews from critics.<ref name="dallasstorm" /><ref name="cgwunderrated">{{cite magazine  | title = Computer Gaming World's 2004 Overrated/Underrated | date=June 2004 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | pages = 68–74 | issue = 239}}</ref><ref name="cgwovershadowed">{{cite magazine  | title = Make with the ha-ha funny games | date=March 2004 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | pages = 118–119 | issue = 236}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' called it the most original game Ion Storm had produced,<ref name="telegraphreview" /> while ''[[The Scotsman]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reviewer appreciated its "many original touches".<ref name="scotsmanreview" /> ''PC Gamer'' featured ''Anachronox'' four times in its top 100 PC games lists: #16 (2007), #17 (2008), #61 (2010), & #76 (2015).<ref name="pcgamer1001">{{cite web |url= http://www.computerandvideogames.com/169961/features/pc-gamers-best-100-50-01/?page=6 |title= PC Gamer's Best 100 |date= 2007-08-13 |page=6 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2011-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218075236/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/169961/features/pc-gamers-best-100-50-01/?page=6 |archive-date=2014-12-18}}</ref><ref name="pcgamer1002">{{cite web |url= http://www.computerandvideogames.com/194593/features/pc-gamers-top-100-part-4/?page=2 |title= PC Gamer's Top 100 |date= 2008-08-05 |page=2 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2011-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108094604/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/194593/features/pc-gamers-top-100-part-4/?page=2 |archive-date=2012-11-08}}</ref><ref name="pcgamer1003">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamesradar.com/f/pc-gamers-top-100-pc-games-of-all-time/a-2010012911133649022/p-2 |title= PC Gamer's Top 100 PC Games of All Time |year= 2010 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2011-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615234711/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/pc-gamers-top-100-pc-games-of-all-time/a-2010012911133649022/p-2 |archive-date=2011-06-15 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/best-pc-games/#page-4 |title=The PC Gamer Top 100 Greatest Games |date=2015-09-03 |page=4 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2015-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905065325/http://www.pcgamer.com/best-pc-games/ |archive-date=2015-09-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also ''[[USA Today]]'''s Game of the Week.<ref name="usatodayminigames" /> Writer [[Jeff Green (writer)|Jeff Green]] lamented that Ion Storm had shut down after ''Anachronox''; he called it "easily the best console-style RPG ever made for the PC."<ref name="cgwretrospective">{{cite magazine  | title = Requiem for a Dream | date=November 2001 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | first = Jeff | last = Green | page = 160 | issue = 208}}</ref>

Reviewers highlighted the gameplay style, branded an unusual mix between [[console RPG|role-playing video game]]s and PC [[first-person shooter]]s.<ref name="telegraphreview">{{cite news | first = Steve | last = Boxer | title = Anachronox Eidos, pounds 29.99 PC  | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = 2001-07-19 | agency = Europe Intelligence Wire}}</ref><ref name="heraldsunreview" /><ref name="computergamingworld2001">{{cite magazine  | title = Hot Shots | date=March 2001 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | page = 48 | issue = 200}}</ref> Some compared it to the [[Final Fantasy|''Final Fantasy'' series]] and ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]''.<ref name="scotsmanreview" /><ref name="washingtonpostreview" /> ''[[Evening Standard|The Evening Standard]]'' wrote, "''Anachronox'' swaps puzzlement for humour while keeping the character interaction, deep storyline and strategic battles that make the Japanese games so good."<ref name="eveningstandard2" /> ''Computer Gaming World'' felt the game "incorporates the best elements of the adventure and role-playing genres."<ref name="computergamingworldreview" /> In contrast, ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' felt the genre-blending resulted in generic gameplay at times.<ref name="ngmreviewy" /> Lyndon Russell of the ''[[Herald Sun]]'' praised the basic mechanics, though he found the combat predictable.<ref name="heraldsunreview">{{cite news | last = Russell | first = Lyndon | title = Game reviews | work = The [[Herald Sun]] | date = 2001-10-17}}</ref> [[Erik Wolpaw]] praised the battle system's unique focus on movement, but wished characters could wait for a turn rather than perform an action.<ref name="gamespotreview" /> The puzzle elements,<ref name="usatodayminigames">{{cite news | last = Saltzman | first = Marc | title = Game of the week | work = [[USA Today]] | date = 2001-07-02}}</ref><ref name="stevesreview" /><ref name="mobilereview" /><ref name="cgwreview2" /> such as those brought by Fatima, were well-received, even considered "indispensable".<ref name="cgwreview2"/><ref name="edmontonreview">{{cite news | last = Bilodeau | first = Steven | title = Secretary's ghost guides role-player through Anachronox: Final Fantasy style, easy-to-learn combat and humour make this game exciting | work = [[Edmonton Journal]] | date = 2001-10-04 | page = E8}}</ref>

The game's aesthetics were strongly praised. One reviewer appreciated the variety of styles in the music;<ref name="gamerevolutionreview" /> it has been compared to [[Yanni]], [[Enya]], [[John Tesh]],<ref name="cgreview">{{cite web |url= http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/anachronox-01-r1.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040804004144/http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/anachronox-01-r1.html | archive-date = 2004-08-04 | title= Anachronox Review |date= 2001-10-03 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |access-date=2010-12-08}}</ref> and sci-fi scores.<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/153/153548p1.html |title=Anachronox - PC Review at IGN |date=2001-07-18 |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004603/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/153/153548p1.html |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> Alan Dang contrarily found the music at times "neutral" and generic;<ref name="firingsquadreview" /> Paul Ward found it pleasant but sparse.<ref name="2ndadvertiserreview">{{cite news | last = Ward | first = Paul | title = Features | work = [[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] (Adelaide) | date = 2001-09-27 | page = 053}}</ref> Numerous critics praised the voice acting and dialogue.<ref name="washingtonpostreview">{{cite news | last = Gaudiosi | first = John | title = Install Now? | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | date = 2001-08-03 | page = FE12}}</ref><ref name="mobilereview" /><ref name="cgwreview2" /><ref name="2ndadvertiserreview" /><ref name="houstonreview" /> The game's cinematic cutscenes were also acclaimed; ''Computer and Video Games'' noted they were "superbly used for laughs or to create a real sense of dramatic tension",<ref name="computerandvideoreview" /> while ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' wrote that ''Anachronox'' would be remembered as the germination point for blending interactive gaming and cinema.<ref name="ngmpreview2" /> ''The Guardian'', while also giving praise, found them somewhat predictable.<ref name="guardianrevue">{{cite news | last = Anderiesz | first = Mike | title = Online: Final Fantasy with extra welly won't walk it: Anachronox PC pounds 39.99 Ion Storm/Eidos 3/5 stars | work = [[The Guardian]] | page = 8 | date = 2001-07-28}}</ref> Several reviewers praised the field map and level design of all but the last levels. Earlier ones were said to contain many "little details that bring the game to life" and significant immersion.<ref name="ngmpreview2">{{cite magazine | date = December 1999 | magazine = [[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | volume = 1 | issue = 4 | page = 48 | title=Anachronox - Bringing cinema to the PC RPG | publisher=Imagine Media}}</ref><ref name="ngmreviewy">{{cite magazine | magazine = [[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | date = October 2001 | volume = 4 | issue = 10 | page = 82 | title=Anachronox - Genre buster, or just bust? | publisher=Imagine Media}}</ref><ref name="gamespotreview" /><ref name="gamespyreview">{{cite web | date=2001-08-11 | title=Reviews: Anachronox | url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/august01/anachronox/ | publisher=[[GameSpy]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010816194016/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/august01/anachronox/ | archive-date=2001-08-16 | access-date=2010-12-08}}</ref><ref name="eurogamerreview" /> The later levels were less well received, with one reviewer suspecting that Ion Storm ran out of time to polish the game, as some end-game locations were "hideously ugly, with huge slab-like polygons, dodgy backdrops and pixelated low resolution textures".<ref name="eurogamerreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_anachronox |title=Anachronox PC Review |date=2001-09-25 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209123913/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_anachronox |archive-date=2011-02-09 }}</ref> ''The Guardian'' felt the lighting was too dark in general,<ref name="guardianrevue" /> while Kevin Cheung of ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' found the graphics blocky.<ref name="sydneyherald">{{cite news | first = Kevin | last = Cheung | title = Split hares - Games | work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date = 2001-10-13 | page = 14}}</ref>

Reviewers hailed the story, characters, setting, and dialogue of ''Anachronox'', citing its science fiction themes and offbeat, quirky humor.<ref name="telegraphreview" /><ref name="washingtonpostreview" /><ref name="mobilereview" /><ref name="2ndadvertiserreview" /><ref name="thetimesreview">{{cite news | last = Wapshott | first = Tim | title = Anachronox - Games  | work = [[The Times]] | date = 2001-07-28}}</ref> ''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]'' summarized the plot as "a beefy storyline loaded with strong characters, powerful dialogue, outrageous humour, seemingly endless surprises and a wild ride around the galaxy."<ref name="theadvertiserreview">{{cite news | title = Joining Sly and Stiletto?  | work = [[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] (Adelaide) | date = 2001-08-05 | page = 092}}</ref> Elliott Chin singled out the game's humor, which, while divisive of ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s staff at first,<ref name="cgwreview2" /> won it the publication's "Best Use of Humor" 2001 award.<ref name="cgwhumor">{{cite magazine  | title = Game of the Year: Best Use of Humor | date=April 2002 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | page = 76 | issue = 213}}</ref> Even apart from humor, the dialogue was acclaimed as "so clever, it almost distracts from the game play"<ref name="houstonreview" /> and as "very natural and colloquial".<ref name="oldcgm02">{{cite magazine | date = 1999-11-05 | url = http://www.cdmag.com/articles/024/026/anachronox_feature.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021215105654/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/024/026/anachronox_feature.html | title=Hitting the bricks on a case that's out of this world | first = Cindy | last = Vanous |archive-date=2002-12-15 | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> David Gordon of ''[[The Independent]]'' enjoyed the game for its "dark and ominous" plot and setting, centered on the quest to stop the destruction of the universe.<ref name="independentreview">{{cite news | title = Staying In: Video Games | last = Gordon | first = David | work = [[The Independent]] | date = 2001-09-08 | page = 66}}</ref> The setting was compared to ''[[Blade Runner]]'',<ref name="scotsmanreview" /> [[film noir]],<ref name="gamenoir">{{cite news | first = Steve | last = La Rue | title = Fun & Games Next wave of computer games promises 'adjustable' violence, more skin and flawed heroes | work = [[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] | date = 1999-05-18 | page = Computer Links 4}}</ref> ''[[The Matrix]]'', ''[[Total Recall (1990 film)|Total Recall]]'' and the ''[[Dark City (1998 film)|Dark City]]'' franchise.<ref name="early2000" /><ref name="guardianrevue" /><ref name="whatpcreview" /> Reviewers enjoyed the game's odd characters and how the team of "has-beens and rejects" brought new life to the genre,<ref name="stevesreview" /><ref name="cgwreview2" /><ref name="gamerevolutionreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/anachronox |title=We are living in a Materia world.. |date=2001-08-01 |work=Gamerevolution.com |access-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071127/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/anachronox |archive-date=2011-07-11 }}</ref> particularly by averting the coming-of-age [[cliché]].<ref name="electricplaygroundreview">{{cite magazine|year=2001 |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6463&full=1#mr_toppy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020817163817/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6463&full=1 |archive-date=2002-08-17 |last=Walker |first=Mark H. |title=Anachronox Review |magazine=[[The Electric Playground]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sly was well-received, described as a "typical downtrodden B-movie private eye",<ref name="telegraphreview" /> a "[[Mickey Spillane]]-style hero" in a cyberpunk setting,<ref name="floridatimesunionreview">{{cite news | first = McGinty | last = Robert | title = fastplay | work = [[The Florida Times-Union]] | date = 2001-09-19 | page = E–1}}</ref> and a "space-age [[Sam Spade]]".<ref name="eveningstandard2">{{cite news | last = Munk | first = Simon | title = PC games; ITstandard: Reviews | work = The [[Evening Standard]] | page = 49 | date = 2001-07-31 }}</ref> Several critics complained about the game's slow start on the planet Anachronox,<ref name="washingtonpostreview" /><ref name="stevesreview">{{cite news | last = Polak | first = Steve | title = Steve's stars | work = [[The Australian]] | date = 2001-08-28}}</ref><ref name="firingsquadreview">{{cite web |url= http://www.firingsquad.com/games/anachronox/default.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006163025/http://www.firingsquad.com/games/anachronox/default.asp |archive-date=2012-10-06 |title= Anachronox Review |last=Dang |first=Alan |date= 2001-08-08 |work=Firing Squad |access-date=2010-12-08}}</ref><ref name="whatpcreview" /><ref name="dailyrecordreview" /> especially its elevator-riding scenes.<ref name="gamespotreview">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anachronox/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309202719/http://www.gamespot.com/anachronox/reviews/anachronox-review-2787355/ |archive-date=2013-03-09 |title= Anachronox for PC Review |last=Wolpaw |first=Erik |date= 2001-07-16 |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=2010-12-08}}</ref> Reviewer Elliott Chin disagreed, evoking "a superb sense of timing, starting out small and slowly building to the main event",<ref name="cgwreview2">{{cite magazine  | title = Finally: Fantasy | date=October 2001 | first = Elliott | last = Chin | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | page = 70 | issue = 207}}</ref> while David Phelan stated that strong character writing would encourage gamers to play beyond the "pedestrian-paced" opening scenes.<ref name="timeoutreview">{{cite news | title = ChipShop: Games | publisher = [[Time Out (company)|Time Out]] | date = 2001-08-29 | last = Phelan | first = David | page = 200 }}</ref>

Several critics took issue with the game's graphics and outdated [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]];<ref name="washingtonpostreview" /><ref name="houstonreview">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/default/article/Bulletin-Board-2019331.php |title=Bulletin Board: Software |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=2001-07-27 |page=Business 5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215043229/http://www.chron.com/default/article/Bulletin-Board-2019331.php |archive-date=2013-12-15 }}</ref><ref name="dailyrecordreview">{{cite news | title = WOW GAMES: Keep on Trekkin' 62 | work = [[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]] (Glasgow) | date = 2001-07-20 | publisher = European Intelligence Wire}}</ref> reviewer Stephen Hunt named the game "a muddy affair" due to the "elderly" engine.<ref name="yorkreview">{{cite news | title = Anachronox, published by Eidos for PC  | last = Hunt | first = Stephen | publisher = North Yorkshire County Publications (England) | date = 2001-08-17 }}</ref> Some reviewers, however, felt the game's charm made the engine's age irrelevant.<ref name="computergamingworldreview">{{cite magazine | first1 = George | last1 = Jones | first2 = Nao | last2 = Higo | first3 = James | last3 = Mielke | title = Read.Me | date=July 2001 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | page = 28 | issue = 204}}</ref><ref name="computerandvideoreview">{{cite magazine | date = 2001-08-13 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/3784/reviews/anachronox-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811010235/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/3784/reviews/anachronox-review/ |archive-date= 2011-08-11 | title=Anachronox Review | magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] | access-date = 2010-12-12}}</ref> Reviewers also encountered several [[software bug]]s and glitches, among them incompatibility with [[Windows 2000]]<ref name="washingtonpostreview" /><ref name="mobilereview">{{cite news | title = 'Max Payne' takes video-game action to the max | work = [[Press-Register|The Mobile Register]] | date = 2001-08-22 | last = Glassel | first = Chris }}</ref><ref name="gamerevolutionreview" /> and a bug forcing the player to repeat a sequence near the end several times.<ref name="eurogamerreview" /> However, they differed in their opinions of the game as a result of them, ranging from "nearly unplayable" to "a flawed classic."<ref name="mobilereview" /><ref name="eurogamerreview" /> Reviewers also criticized the game's restricted [[display resolution]] choices; players could only choose from two options at polar ends of hardware requirements.<ref name="edmontonreview" /><ref name="whatpcreview">{{cite magazine | first = Ian | last = Colwell | title = Offline: Anachronox | date=2001-10-01 | magazine = What PC | publisher = VNU Business Publications Ltd}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Before releasing ''Anachronox'', Ion Storm retextured characters and adapted sequences from the game for ''Shiner'', a production by the Undermain Theatre.<ref name="dallasshiner">{{cite news | last = Sime | first = Tom | title = Video game gets in the act at Undermain | work = [[The Dallas Morning News]] | page = 1C | date = 1999-06-25}}</ref> Scenes from the game were used to illustrate the vivid imagination and struggles of a paralyzed woman named Xela.<ref name="dallasshiner" /> ''Anachronox'' references the films ''[[Miller's Crossing]]'' and ''[[Barton Fink]]'' through street addresses on planet Anachronox; Tom Hall had studied acting at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] and volunteered as an usher for Undermain.<ref name="dallasshiner" /> Though received well, the game did not prevent the closure of Ion Storm's Dallas office in July 2001; John Romero and Tom Hall departed after its release.<ref name="dallasstorm" /> The game became "semi-obscure"; Tom Hall explained: "Millions were spent making it, and upon release, $50,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=50000|start_year=2001}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) advertising it."<ref name="escapistretrofeature">{{cite magazine|date=2010-08-24 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_268/8027-The-Best-Planet-Companion |last=Parrish |first=Peter |title=The Best Planet Companion |page=1 |magazine=[[Escapist Magazine]] |access-date=2014-06-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222143155/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_268/8027-The-Best-Planet-Companion |archive-date=2014-02-22 }}</ref> He reflected on the game in 2007:

{{blockquote|[It was] hubris to take 15 people and say you're going to  make a console-style RPG, but, well, that's what we did. It wasn't insanely buggy compared to some titles, but it was rushed out the door. [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]] wanted to ship it. If we'd shipped Joey [Liaw]'s final build, it would have been very stable... I think most people didn't know the game was out. I sing the praises of Eidos for sticking with us through all the craziness—they were amazing. But they spent millions on the game, and in the tens of thousands on advertising. I think it could have found a pretty strong audience. But with all the craziness that had gone on, I feel fortunate that people got to experience it at all... People still write to me saying they found a copy, that they played and loved the game, and that they wished they'd heard about it coming out at the time.<ref name=escapist2007>{{cite magazine|url=http://pdf.textfiles.com/zines/ESCAPIST/theescapist_083.pdf |title=Ion's Other Game |year=2007 |magazine=The Escapist Magazine |last=Drake |first=Shannon |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716212946/http://pdf.textfiles.com/zines/ESCAPIST/theescapist_083.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-16 }}</ref>|Tom Hall}}

Vice published a 2021 retrospective on the development of ''Anachronox'', with the development team fondly remembering Hall's leadership.<ref name="viceretro"/> Vice concluded that ''Anachronox'' was an "unqualified success", writing that Tom Hall successfully translated the 2D console [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|JRPG]] experience into a 3D PC game whose adult themes, varied gameplay, and unique dialogue fully realized his "ridiculously ambitious" vision.<ref name="viceretro" /> Hall later reflected, "There are many sadder stories than this one...we got our games out."<ref name="viceretro" />

=== Machinima film ===
Cinematic director Jake Hughes independently combined the game's cut-scenes into a two-and-a-half-hour film titled ''Anachronox: The Movie'',<ref name="saltmachinima">{{cite news | last = Horiuchi | first = Vince | title = Rise of the machines - Serious gamers make films with 3-D platforms; Video gamers make movies | newspaper = [[The Salt Lake Tribune]] | page = D1 | date =2005-01-25}}</ref><ref name="guardianmachinima">{{cite news | last = Azhar | first = Azeem | title = The Guardian: Play it again, Sam: Forget Hollywood special effects, hip film-makers are using PCs to create a new type of cinema, reports Azeem Azhar | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | date =2003-11-20}}</ref> released as 13 [[MPEG]] files on [[Machinima.com]].<ref name="gamespotlength">{{cite web|last=Parker |first=Sam |date=2003-07-11 |title=Anachronox feature-length movie released |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anachronox/news.html?sid=6071517 |access-date=2010-12-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214632/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anachronox/news.html?sid=6071517 |archive-date=2011-06-28 }}</ref> The work was considered by some to be [[machinima]]'s first [[feature-length]] production and one of its most ambitious projects (although ''[[The Seal of Nehahra]]'' predated it by a few years).<ref name="chicagofeature">{{cite news|last=Buchanan |first=Levi |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/08/09/underground-machinima-is-making-waves/ |title=Underground machinima is making waves |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |page=23 |date=2003-08-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222005059/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-08-09/news/0308090257_1_ill-clan-academy-game-developers |archive-date=2014-02-22 }}</ref><ref name="economist1">{{cite news|title=Deus ex Machinima? |date=2004-09-18 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2004/09/18/deus-ex-machinima |volume=372 |issue=8393 |pages=3–4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220205711/http://www.economist.com/node/3171417 |archive-date=2012-02-20 }}</ref><ref name="sunambition">{{cite news | last = Buchanan | first = Levi | url = http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-08-22/news/0308200810_1_ill-clan-animation-big-ticket | title = Machinima Blends Film, Games | newspaper = [[Sun-Sentinel]] | location = Broward County, Florida | page = 24 | date = 2003-08-22 | access-date = 2012-02-29 | archive-date = 2013-02-03 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130203230055/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-08-22/news/0308200810_1_ill-clan-animation-big-ticket | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="filmireland">{{cite magazine | title = Rise of the machines | date=March–April 2007 | journal = [[Film Ireland]] | issue = 115 | pages = 22–23 | first = Jasmina | last = Kallay | publisher = Filmbase}}</ref> Judges at the [[2002 Machinima Film Festival]] (MFF) awarded it Best Picture, Best Writing, and Best Technical Achievement.<ref name="filmawards">{{cite web | date=2002-08-29 | title=August 29th - Best of the Fest! | publisher=Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences | url=http://www.machinima.org/news/index.html | archive-date = 2003-02-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030205122922/http://www.machinima.org/news/index.html}}</ref> Machinima.com's editors said of the film, "''Anachronox: The Movie'' is a tour de force, one of the finest Machinima films produced to date, and probably the most accomplished Machinima feature to date. Hell, it managed to hold two overworked jury members in a room for two and a half hours before the MFF 2002—what more can we say?" As of 2003, Machinima.com planned to release the film on DVD with extra footage and artwork.<ref name="gamespotlength" /> In 2006, the DVD images got distributed via [[BitTorrent]].<ref name="machinimaforumdvd">{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Jake|date=2006-08-30|title=ANACHRONOX DVD available for download!!!|website=[[Machinima.com]]|url=http://www.machinima.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6861|access-date=2023-07-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027114314/http://www.machinima.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6861|archive-date=2007-10-27}}</ref><ref name="machinimablogdvd">{{cite web|last=[[Paul Marino|Marino]]|first=Paul|date=2006-09-07|title=Anachronox DVDs released!|website=blog.machinima.org|url=http://blog.machinima.org/2006/09/anachronox-dvds-released.html|access-date=2023-07-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302021649/http://blog.machinima.org/2006/09/anachronox-dvds-released.html|archive-date=2007-03-02}}</ref>

=== Sequel ===
Tom Hall felt the story of ''Anachronox'' was too large for one game (requiring an estimated 70 hours of gameplay<ref name="escapist2007" />), and planned for two expansion packs in 1998.<ref name="planethall" /> Each expansion pack would represent another third of the overall story.<ref name="planethall" /> He confirmed in 1999 that ''Anachronox'' would be followed by only one sequel;<ref name="ngmpreview2" /> several art assets had already been created for the sequel by mid-2000.<ref name="bluenewsstory" /> Hall speculated in 2000 that further adventures in two new universes may take place after the sequel.<ref name="escapist2007" /><ref name="gamespothinterview">{{cite web|date=2000-05-22 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/anachronox-qanda/1100-2568309/ |title=Anachronox Q&A |author=GameSpot Staff |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2016-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327002743/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/anachronox-qanda/1100-2568309/ |archive-date=2014-03-27 }}</ref> Ion Storm's closure nixed plans for a continuation; Hall has unsuccessfully tried to purchase the intellectual property rights to the ''Anachronox'' universe.<ref name="escapist2007" /> He later stated that he did not regret ending ''Anachronox'' on a cliffhanger, as most characters had resolved their inner turmoil.<ref name="escapist2007" />

Hall noted in 2007 that other team members were willing to come back to help: "We went through such turmoil but stayed for the love of the universe, the game and each other. Former team members often mention that if I ever got the intellectual property back and was going to make ''Anachronox 2'', just tell them when and where. We have, as we say, 'The Love.{{'"}}<ref name="escapist2007" /> Hall remarked in 2010, "If I don't do the game in the next 10 years, I'll just write up the rest of the story and put it on my website for closure, how about that?".<ref>{{cite magazine|date=2010-08-24 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_268/8027-The-Best-Planet-Companion.3 |last=Parrish |first=Peter |title=The Best Planet Companion |page=3 |magazine=[[Escapist Magazine]] |access-date=2014-06-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235853/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_268/8027-The-Best-Planet-Companion.3 |archive-date=2014-07-14 }}</ref>

On February 17, 2015, [[Square Enix]] announced that it will allow developers to create games based on some of their old Eidos IPs via the [[Square Enix Collective]] project, including the ''Anachronox'' IP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://collective.square-enix.com/news/32/first-eidos-ips-made-available-via-square-enix-collective |title=First Eidos IPs made available via Square Enix Collective |publisher=Square Enix Collective |access-date=February 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218002014/http://collective.square-enix.com/news/32/first-eidos-ips-made-available-via-square-enix-collective |archive-date=February 18, 2015 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.anachronox.com/ |title=Official website |access-date=2011-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020331050000/http://www.anachronox.com/ |archive-date=2002-03-31 }} 
*{{cite web|url=http://www.eidosinteractive.com/games/info.html?gmid=6 |title=''Anachronox'' at Eidos Interactive |access-date=2007-01-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020409095246/http://www.eidosinteractive.com/games/info.html?gmid=6 |archive-date=2002-04-09 }} 
* {{moby game|id=/anachronox|name=''Anachronox''}}
* [https://archive.org/details/JakeHughesAnachronoxTheMovie ''Anachronox: The Movie''] at [[Internet Archive]]

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