malthaussen
Posts: 1060
10/11/2015
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Spirderworks Software, an independent "company" (of about two persons) has been in the cRPG trade for over 20 years. They specialize in what are called "old school" cRPGs. By which, I deduce, are meant games with rather plain graphics but excellent writing. One series is that of Avernum, to which I direct attention because it, too, takes place in an underground world (replete with mushroom wine). A party-based series of six games, the writing is excellent for a game of this nature, and the game system itself interesting enough, although it does lend itself towards the min/maxing of stats and attributes so beloved of the power gamer. The whole series has gone through several incarnations, and the company is re-writing each of the adventures amidst their other works, the second in the series having just been completed. Or the original six could be had for nothing at the Spiderweb website (they might not work with present systems, though), or the second incarnation is available at GoG, that invaluable site.
-- Mal
edited by malthaussen on 10/11/2015
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"Of two choices, I always take the third."
Will do all socials except Loitering or Private Evenings (all my Free Evenings are accounted for), and Affluent Photographer Betrayals only, please. I am not currently accepting calling cards.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/malthaussen
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xKiv
Posts: 846
10/18/2015
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Avadon *starts* with one character, but you quickly unlock the other 4, and as your mission progress, you may bring up to ... three? ... of them with you.
(haven't tried Avadon 2 yet).
I remember playing the Exile trilogy, and especially the tons of player-made scenarios for Blades of Exile. Even in this time, I am still looking forward to playing (and replaying!) some of those. I think the later incarnations lost something with the graphic upgrades - with Exile, my worldbuilding imagination was running at "100% CPU", which it didn't with any later games. Or maybe it's just that I was much younger then?
And while Geneforge has nominally a single character, the creations you can (make and) bring with you make it sort of a party based game too (they don't have inventories though).
edited by xKiv on 10/18/2015
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https://www.fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/xKiv - a witchful, percussive, dangermous and shadowry scholar of coexplodence, hopsidirean, and walker of fallen kitties.
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Sestina Valdis
Posts: 210
10/11/2015
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I have played Avernum, and it was a great game, but I prefer Geneforge also by Spiderweb! The premise is really interesting: altering genes via magic, to put it very simply... The combat system appeals to me more, as does the SF/fantasy world in the latter. But SW is a very good Indie company.
That reminds me, I still have my Geneforge set on Humble Bundle... Maybe I should get started on playing the series again...
edited by Sestina Valdis on 10/11/2015
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Sestina Valdis, the Saccharine Satirist.
Appearance and Misc. Accoutrements
A Past Scattered Across Discarded Stockings
Fei Xue, the Artful Assassin.
Self
Edward de Riere, the Barebones Baron.
Avatar by Daniel Ilinca.
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Urthdigger
Posts: 939
10/11/2015
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I've played Avernum ever since it was known as Exile. They're quite good!
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Looking for second chances to maximize your loot output from those troublesome storylets? Check out our handy gang of volunteers in this thread, or even volunteer yourself!
@Urthdigger on twitter
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Kolanowski
Posts: 148
10/11/2015
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Ah, the old Exile games were the reason I skipped more than a few classes in elementary. I can honestly say that they shaped my taste in gaming. Exile 3 blew my mind. Later Avernum, Nethergate, Geneforge... Damn, I remember all the hunting for good scenarios for Blades of Avernum. Those were the times. Avernum 3 was biggest and most complex, but I honestly liked Avernum 2 even more. Some locations could really convey a sense of dread, give one that chilling you-really-should-not-be-here, you-are-what's-for-dinner feeling.
If anyone's wondering whether or not to pick up some Spiderweb Software games, I wholeheartedly recommend all of them. I honestly consider them to be the Skyrims of isometric old-school RPGs.
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Kazimierz Kolanowski, gentleman, scholar, humble servant of the Maw. Chaotic Evil. Open to all social actions & accepting almost all requests. Might sell you to Satan for a single corn chip.
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