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Home >
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> Results: Avernum V
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by Michael Anderson
January 24, 2008
The Avernum series just keeps getting better and better ... hop on for a wild ride through the subterranean world!
Reviewed for MAC, PC.
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Return to the world of Avernum ... this time coming from the surface! Avernum 5 is the latest in a series (see GamerDad's review of Avernum 4) known for huge subterranean worlds, epic stories, tons of quests and combat played out in turns. Each entry in the series features a huge story filled with mystery, intrigue and twists. This time the story begins with an attempted assassination of the Empress by a rebel named Dorikas, who flees into the underworld of Avernum. Along the way you meet wonderfully realized characters (most of whom instantly distrust or hate you because you are from the surface) and situations, get involved in local disputes, take care of trivial tasks for small rewards, and explore the world looking for a fight. The open feel and seemingly endless possibilities in a game that is in many ways fairly linear really makes the game shine. You are rarely forced to do a task at a certain time, but the pull of the main quest keeps you on track better than many other games.
It is always easy to criticize Spiderweb games based on fairly simple graphics - this remains true, but everything here is done in higher resolution and looks better than any previous entry in the series. This is definitely one of the best role-playing games of the year, and is friendly to those new to the series as well as veterans. Hints that pop up as you play the early sections of the game get you immediately immersed, but there is depth of control and party management that defies mastery. You will find yourself pulled into extended 'one more battle' gaming sessions, yet the journal is clear enough that you can walk away for quite a while and then hop back into it effortlessly. It runs on just about any Mac or PC and is available as a small download from Spiderweb Software, making it easy to try out. As I have said before - what Avernum 5 lacks in visual presentation, it makes up with immersive story-telling and engaging gameplay.
The ESRB doesn't rate independent games such as Avernum 5, but I found the story and characters comparable to those found in teen-level reading material such as the Eragon or Harry Potter books. There is pain, emotion and pathos laced with humor throughout this wonderful tale. This is a game for very strong readers, forming the basis of the 10+ age recommendation. The subject matter is somewhat dark and scary, but nothing beyond what a middle school kid can handle.
As I mentioned in my Avernum 4 review, I found the game was easy for my kids to learn but still gave me plenty of challenge as I played through. It is a great game for kids to pick up in that regard, even though the graphics are somewhat rudimentary compared to what most kids are used to seeing. As I mentioned, my kids have loved Spiderweb games for over a year now and have enjoyed toying around with my copy of the Mac version of the game. Your children's response to the game depends on their gut-level reaction to graphics and desire to read, but there is no reason that they can't try it out for themselves!
(Note: As of this review date only the Mac version is released. The PC version will likely be available in March if history is any indication. I have been very fortunate to be involved with Spiderweb as a PC tester for the last few games, and in my experience the PC version of Avernum 5 is the most bug-free yet! Definitely worth the wait if you don't have a Mac to grab it now!)
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> Results: Avernum V
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