
Necromancer |

Legend of Grimrock looks fairly interesting and, even though it's not visable on steam yet, Avernum: Escape From the Pit* is said to go live on 4/11/12 (info from Spiderweb Software forums).
*Avernum was released early for Macs, but the Windows build isn't available until it's up on Steam.
Thoughts? Since the Geneforge series was amazing and Avadon was (and is) beyond boring, I'm pretty much sold on Avernum.

BenS |

Legend of Grimrock looks fairly interesting and, even though it's not visable on steam yet, Avernum: Escape From the Pit* is said to go live on 4/11/12 (info from Spiderweb Software forums).
*Avernum was released early for Macs, but the Windows build isn't available until it's up on Steam.
Thoughts? Since the Geneforge series was amazing and Avadon was (and is) beyond boring, I'm pretty much sold on Avernum.
I only have a Mac, so no Grimrock for me, sadly. But I'm a big Spiderweb Software fan. This version of Avernum is as you probably know, a remake of the original Avernum 1 (itself a more drastic remake of Exile I, which I never played). I quite like the changes, and it had been so long since I've played Avernum I, it almost felt like a brand new game. Hope you give it a try (as always, the free demo is huge).
Glad to see another fan of the Geneforge series!

Necromancer |

All right, I've spent easily twenty hours on both titles and I'm very pleased. Granted, each caters to different styles, but each has a similar premise that drew me--four characters exiled to a dangerous subterranean environment.
Avernum is massive and outshines Avadon in every possible way. Finding a computer rpg with turn-based combat is almost impossible these days, but Spiderweb sticks with the format and turns out a decent title every time (yes, Avadon was decent...dry, but decent). Getting through Avernum will take a while thanks to the huge world map. Thankfully, the game's never boring and, being new to the Avernum series, I'm determined to explore every inch of the underworld.
Grimrock offers a different challenge: relatively small dungeons, maddening puzzles, and a fresh approach to combat. I bought this title a day after buying Avernum, but I've played it the longest without question. Players can start with a default set of four characters (a good group, too), but I decided on a custom group. There's four race options (human, minotaur, lizardman, and insectoid) and the standard class options (fighter, rogue, mage). Healing is accomplished through either massive, blue floating life crystals, sleep, or alchemy (can be used by anyone alive). I was happy before I even began the game simply due to the unusual race options. Grimrock scores more points in throwing away the idea of dungeon merchants in favor of a hunger system that requires characters to eat based on the energy they expend.
I would've paid $40-$50 for either game, an example of how, in design, far the indie market is surpassing the corporate.

Necromancer |

I am surprised how colossaly bad Avadon was compared with their earlier work. What happened?
After being "spoiled" by the Geneforge games, I expected some strange, wonderful gimmick that would ignite my interest in Avadon's history. Nope. I got a rock. Thankfully, Avernum was much, much better.

Werthead |

LEGEND OF GRIMDARK is a lot of fun. I played the hell out of DUNGEON MASTER and the first two EYE OF THE BEHOLDER games back in the day (not to mention CAPTIVE, KNIGHTMARE, BLOODWYCH and BLACK CRYPT, all in a similar vein), so this has been nostalgia-tastic. I like the fact they did incorporate some modern ideas (particularly the automatic gathering of thrown weapons once an enemy has been defeated) without losing any of the old-school feel.
The game is notably rock hard. Even the early-encountered skeletons and giant snails can kill you if you're not careful, and the mobile plants which fire spores at you are deadly in confined spaces.

Necromancer |

I know. I played Avadon. I'm wondering how they managed to make something like that, given what they are capable of.
After I played an hour or so of it, I started to think it was a way to make money and test a new engine, but no--they're making a sequel. Now it feels like they were being really cautious in starting a new series and kept it incredibly linear as a result. Jeff Vogel (Spiderweb Software owner) has mentioned that he's unhappy with certain elements that slipped by after beta-testing, so maybe things will improve in the sequel.
I'm not completely writing off Avadon 2 as future purchase, but my expectations will be really low.