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Avernum 4

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Developer: Spiderweb Software Publisher: Spiderweb Software Genre: RPG > General Released: Dec 05, 2006 Players: 1 Website Download Purchase

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Get ready for more underground adventures in Spiderweb Software's Avernum 4. While the graphics haven't changed much, the latest entry in the series should not disappoint fans of previous Avernum or Geneforge titles.

Avernum is a vast, underground world. While the Empire rules above, quite a few people set out to make a subterranean life for themselves. Good work can always be found in the mines. While Avernum is also home to many monsters, they have long been banished to the furthest corners of the land, and adventurers are always available to beat back the few that cause trouble.

Except that something is different. The creatures and monsters have come back in greater force than anyone could have expected, attacking the residents of otherwise peaceful cities. Even stranger, something is affecting the people of Avernum, causing fear and distrust. You need to learn what is causing these problems in your homeland and put a stop to it.

While exploring Avernum, you can come across a variety of people and creatures. Some people are eager to speak to anyone, having been in the mines for so long, while others are suspicious of anyone who might try to make a claim on their property. While ancient enemies of the humans in Avernum have become allies, some factions aren't so friendly. For instance, the cat-like nephilim are generally on good terms with humans, but the Longtail Clan has taken control of the bridge connecting Fort Monastery to the rest of Avernum. None of the other nephilim will assist you for fear of retaliation. Other creatures make an effort to show humans that not everyone in their races are hostile. You'll encounter people and creatures that seem possessed and even some hostile creatures with no intelligence.

Fortunately, you can depend on finding or purchasing items, weapons, and armor to protect your party. Your tanks will love the bulkier swords and helmets, while your magic users will appreciate lighter bows and robes. Some blacksmiths can create special items if you provide the right material, so feel free to save any fur or rare metals you find. Magical spells can be quite helpful in battle, whether you cast Protection to lower the chance of your opponents landing their blows or Haste to give your attackers multiple chances to lop an enemy's head off. I once used Acid Spray on a particularly tough undead boss to help destroy it. Some people will teach you certain spells, and you may even find someone to train you in general skills. You will also find an assortment of food and drink to help heal your wounds and restore magical energy, and there are almost always people around to sell some to you if you find yourself in need.

In Avernum, you'll find that people are sometimes at the mercy of the environment and circumstances, preventing them from doing their normal tasks. Adventurers such as yourself will find that there will be plenty of odd jobs, such as restoring the honor of an eccentric family, destroying some nasty bugs in the deeper parts of a valuable mine, or translating some ancient scrolls. Some jobs pay well, while others can be very helpful on your quest to determine what is happening in Avernum.

You'll find that one job is acting as a messenger, delivering news from areas that have otherwise been cut off from the world. Formello, for instance, has a self-imposed quarantine due to a mysterious shade that seems to kill only those who are curious about the outside world. Just getting into town is difficult. In other areas, some people have expected deliveries that never arrived. You'll quickly find that there are good reasons why news and caravans are missing.

Even with all of the dangers, you'll find that there are sometimes safe, or at least safer, paths to your goals. You can fight an entire group head-on, or you can find a way to sneak around from behind. Even if you must fight, I found that sometimes the Haste spell can allow you to do surprise attacks and run out of range to avoid being attacked. Sometimes just attacking first can make the difference between victory and defeat. Whether you are fighting bandits on the road, criminals in hiding, or the undead in mines, the variety of options for you makes Avernum interesting.

The writing is a hallmark of Spiderweb Software, and this game's plot does not disappoint. You definitely become deeply attached to your party and other people as you trek across the underground world. I also found that there were quite a few chances for humorous dialogue. For instance, at one point you can enter someone's house, as you do in most RPGs, and when you talk to the occupant, he/she will question why you decided to just barge in! You know, like what would happen in real life.

As before with Spiderweb Software's RPGs, existing fans will find yet another compelling game, while new players might be put off by the graphics. Those new players may want to give the demo a try before complaining, though.

Graphics:
When you think of Spiderweb Software, you think of compelling, deeply involving RPGs. Graphics, unfortunately, is not one of the things that company is known for. The images and animations will be familiar to fans of the Avernum and Geneforge series.

Sound:
While the sounds and music aren't orchestrated, they do their job of adding to the immersion. When you are in a cave and you hear the screech of some far off enemy, you know to tread carefully.

Game Play:
Most of the interface relies on point-and-click, although using shortcut keys can help. I rarely hit a point of frustration, and then it usually involved an NPC blocking my party from moving forward.

Concept:
I have to say that I was a bit disappointed to discover that Avernum 4 is much more linear in nature than previous titles. You can ignore some tasks or do them, but otherwise you didn't feel that you had much choice in what to do.

Value:
Even without the replay value that choices could have provided, you can always try going through the game with new party members and avoiding certain side-quests which might otherwise give you an advantage later in the game.

Fun:
As a classic-style role-playing game, Avernum 4 provides great fun, allowing daring adventurers to enjoy hours of quality time.

Overall:
I think a number of people are still waiting for improved graphics from Spiderweb Software, and some people may find themselves looking for something new. Still, as always, fans of previous titles will find yet another game to add to their libraries. New players may be pleasantly surprised by what they find, too.