Two independent titles up on Steam April 11 (Grimrock & Avernum)


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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.


Necromancer wrote:

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!


I really want to play the Legend of Grimrock, but I do not think my PC could handle it. I will (eventually) have to check out some of the Spiderweb Software games.


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.

Scarab Sages

I just bought Avernum on this thread's recommendation. Plus, I like to support small dev's (10/18 of my steam games are small or indie). And yes, that just made me sound like a hipster tool. I'm OK with that.

Grand Lodge

Haven't played the new Avernum yet but I've been playing Spiderweb games since Exile 3. Can't wait to pick this one up.

I'm considering putting GIFTS into my campaign to drive my players to insanity.

Scarab Sages

Avernum's a great game. I love the simplicity in the isometric turn based system they've got going. Plus, the map is huge.


I am surprised how colossaly bad Avadon was compared with their earlier work. What happened?


Umbral Reaver wrote:
I am surprised how colossaly bad Avadon was compared with their earlier work. What happened?

Minor Avadon Spoilers:
An insanely long linear start, an annoying immortal boss with plot-armor, boring fantasy races painted over cliché archetypes (humans vs. "orcs", basically), and possibly the driest story Spiderweb could manage. Those are the majority of flaws that made my playthroughs painful.

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.


I know. I played Avadon. I'm wondering how they managed to make something like that, given what they are capable of.


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.


Umbral Reaver wrote:
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.

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