Rock, Paper, Shotgun

On one level, this post exists to inform of a fantastic deal on that thar Steam, however it’s also the first time we’ve mentioned that the games in question have appeared on Steam at all. They are the Geneforge Saga, five RPGs created by Spiderweb Software between 2002 and 2008, although they feel as if they could have been made between 1992 and 1998, with their turn-based combat, isometric graphics and enormous amounts of questing and freedom. The Geneforge world combines traditional fantasy tropes with monster-making, leading to all sorts of choices and ethical dilemmas. Steam is currently offering these five massive RPGs for £8.49. There are also sizable demos over at Spiderweb’s site.

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Spiderweb send word that they are starting a new Avernum RPG trilogy. The first episode will be called Escape From The Pit, and should be available in “Q1 2012″. As usual the game will feature fantasy of the epic flavour, and plenty of turn-based combat. It also has an open sort of overall quest structure: “Three separate game-winning quests. Seek safety, escape or revenge. Do just one of them or all three!”

Spiderweb also explain that there will be a discount for previous Avernum series owners: “Avernum: Escape From the Pit for Macintosh and Windows will be available at a considerable discount for anyone who has purchased Exile: Escape From the Pit or Avernum from us in any form (including on compilation CDs).”

Avadon is Jeff Vogel’s latest RPG; a roaring saga of dark politics and glorious face furniture. It’ll give you hours and hours of questing… but will it show you a good time as you slay giant spiders and screw with the fate of nations? Well, let’s see Wot I Think…

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Because there’s a demo. Spiderweb Software’s Olden Skool CRPG is out now, and you can unlock the full game from the demo, I believe. Spiderweb have been going for quite some time now and, thanks to the pitiless gaze of their founder, Jeff Vogel, have never deviated from their mission. If Avadon tickles your interest them you should totally browse through their other games. There’s a fair few fantasy adventures to be had in there.

That subject line makes no sense, but bear with me. It’s early and I’m tired. If you’re coming to Avernum now, of course, you’re not early. You’re late. In fact, as late as it’s possible to be. Except not too late. And… start again. Shorter sentences. Control. Avernum VI released. Demo available. Final part in Avernum series. Long-running, successful niche-targeting indie-RPGs. There’s also a deal to buy the whole second trilogy in one go. Hurrah! Well done Spiderweb for finishing their series. And user-created footage from the demo follows…
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Spiderweb Software were name checked in the infamous (and splendid) Vince D Weller Age of Decadence interview as one of the longest running PC-indie RPG developers. They’ve just released a demo of the latest blooming of their hardy perennial Avernum. This, the fifth installlment is about you and your statistic-hefting party hunting down an assassin who tried to off your Empress, while avoiding him offing you. Spiderweb stress that no previous experience with Avernum is required to jump in, so for those who found themselves nodding sagely at Vince’s decrying of the state of mainstream RPGs, this may be a good excuse to put your bandwidth where your mouth is. Download from Gamers’ Hell or Avernum’s site (which is full of details about the series, as sites tend to be).