Game News Geneforge 1 - Mutagen gets trailer and Steam page, coming Q1 2021

[Infinitron]

Tags: Geneforge 1 - Mutagen; Spiderweb Software

Geneforge 1 - Mutagen, Jeff Vogel's inevitable remake of the first Geneforge from 2001, was successfully Kickstarted back in March to the tune of $85k. Now it's time for the next step in the Spiderweb Software product lifecycle, which is the launching of the game's trailer and Steam page. Apparently the coronavirus has not had much effect on Jeff's lifestyle, since it's still on schedule for release in the first quarter of 2021.

Geneforge 1 – Mutagen is a unique, truly open-ended fantasy adventure in a strange, new world. You are one of the Shapers, wizards with the awesome power to create life. Want a tool, a trap, an army? You summon it into existence. You create mighty beasts, and they totally obey you. Usually.

But now? Your creations want to rebel. Will you crush them? Or help them?

Geneforge 1 – Mutagen offers unmatched freedom in how you play. Use magic or your deadly pets to crush your enemies. Or, use trickery, diplomacy, and stealth to win the game without ever attacking a foe. Choose between a host of rival factions or just destroy everything. Defeat the final boss, or switch sides and join him. Fight alone with blades, missiles, or magic, or create your own army of custom-made mutant monsters.

Geneforge is an epic fantasy adventure with over eighty zones to explore and 50+ hours of gameplay. Choose from dozens of skills, abilities, and pets to reach a vast array of different endings. The coming rebellion will scorch your continent. Who will win? It will be up to you.
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Despite the unusual nature of some of the game's new creature graphics, I'd say this looks prettier than the original. Though of course that's not a high bar to clear.

 

[PrettyDeadman]

Spoiler

 

[BING XI LAO]

I gave up on Geneforge near the end because it was a clunky pain in the ass. Might actually buy a remake for once.... once it's on sale in 5 years.

 

[Terra]

I gave up on Geneforge near the end because it was a clunky pain in the ass. Might actually buy a remake for once.... once it's on sale in 5 years.

There might be a remake of the remake in the works by then...

 

[JarlFrank]

Despite the unusual nature of some of the game's new creature graphics, I'd say this looks prettier than the original. Though of course that's not a high bar to clear.

I still find it ugly though. It's better than the original, yeah, but still ugly.

 

[Tacgnol]

Despite the unusual nature of some of the game's new creature graphics, I'd say this looks prettier than the original. Though of course that's not a high bar to clear.

I still find it ugly though. It's better than the original, yeah, but still ugly.

The original did have some nice 2d drawings and artwork, mostly in the intro/ending vignettes.

I hope Jeff has retained those.

 

[Junmarko]

Despite the unusual nature of some of the game's new creature graphics, I'd say this looks prettier than the original. Though of course that's not a high bar to clear.

I still find it ugly though. It's better than the original, yeah, but still ugly.

Judging by the aspect ratio in that trailer, seems like this was just an excuse to make a tablet port.

 

[Gilius Thunderhead]

I had just begun replaying Geneforge completely unaware of this.

I'm OK with the ultra-shit graphics, which give me early 90s shareware nostalgia. My biggest issue is the inventory, which from the video seems much improved.

 

[*-*/\--/\~]

Vogel the milkman is milking and milking...

 

[JDR13]

Most overrated indie developer around...

 

[Tacgnol]

Most overrated indie developer around...

Lazy yes, overrated no.

The Geneforge series is largely superb, Jeff's poor visuals aside.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

I don't know why I keep thinking Shattered Light was inspired by Exile. I like the first Geneforge. I was unaware of the graphical patch


Pretty sure Codex reviewed that. Don't use tinypic or photobucket unless you pay for an account. Use Imgur please.

 

[Sordid MCA/Prosper Hybryd]

I am shocked by the new engine this game uses. Vogel was right to spend so many years and hard-begged kickstater money on this technological revolution. I can't even understand how after that he had enough funds for a total renewal of all the art assets!

 

[Verylittlefishes]

Geneforge 2001

Geneforge 2021 remake

 

[Rarre]

I want to play it, never tried a vogel game before...
I have problems trying rpgs after playing underrail... everthing feels unrefined... or simplistic or unbalanced... Will I have this issue with vogel's games?

 

[Tuco Benedicto Pacifico]

Honestly I find a bit amusing how Vogel keeps insisting (sometimes even bragging) with his bizarre philosophy "Yeah, my games always look like shit but it doesn't matter because they sell few copies anyway", when chances are not investing a bit more seriously in updating the visuals is precisely what's preventing him from becoming one of the "indie darling" who can sell far better on platforms like Steam and GoG.

 

[Verylittlefishes]

Honestly I find a bit amusing how Vogel keeps insisting (sometimes even bragging) with his bizarre philosophy "Yeah, my games always look like shit but it doesn't matter because they sell few copies anyway", when chances are not investing a bit more seriously in updating the visuals is precisely what's preventing him from becoming one of the "indie darling" who can sell far better on platforms like Steam and GoG.

Why would the living legend need to do this

 

[oscar]

85k for a fucking resolution patch. Vogel's fans are paypigs

 

[Tacgnol]

Honestly I find a bit amusing how Vogel keeps insisting (sometimes even bragging) with his bizarre philosophy "Yeah, my games always look like shit but it doesn't matter because they sell few copies anyway", when chances are not investing a bit more seriously in updating the visuals is precisely what's preventing him from becoming one of the "indie darling" who can sell far better on platforms like Steam and GoG.

Jeff has always struck me as a man of limited ambition. On the one hand it's quite comforting to see a man who is so content with his situation, on the other hand you can't help but feel a sense of curiosity and lingering disappointment for what could have been.

The Geneforge series was probably the most ambitious of his games. It's a shame he hasn't been inspired since to put so much effort into world building and setting.

 

[Catacombs]

It's a shame he hasn't been inspired since to put so much effort into world building and setting.

He's a one-man shop. I wouldn't blame him for sticking with what he knows to just get games out there. I'm sure there's more he can do if he had a slew of developers, designers, and artists on his staff.

 

[Tacgnol]

It's a shame he hasn't been inspired since to put so much effort into world building and setting.

He's a one-man shop. I wouldn't blame him for sticking with what he knows to just get games out there. I'm sure there's more he can do if he had a slew of developers, designers, and artists on his staff.

I understand it, just a shame he hasn't really tried again since Geneforge. The Avadon games were painfully generic.

 

[Catacombs]

The Avadon games were painfully generic.

Agreed. Someone here recommended I play Avernum, and I've been enjoying it a lot more.

 

[Elwro]

not green enough

 

[luj1]

The Geneforge series is largely superb

Escape from the Pit & Geneforge are masterpieces of storytelling and should be treated as free lessons in video game design. A must-play before you die. Meanwhile I'm not a fan of stripped-down Avadon, it is a completely different approach - more linear, more story-focused and revolves around instanced "missions".

 

[Tacgnol]

The Geneforge series is largely superb

Escape from the Pit & Geneforge are masterpieces of storytelling and should be treated as free lessons in video game design. A must-play before you die. Not a fan of Avadon, it is a completely different approach - more linear, more story-focused and revolves around instanced "missions".

Part of the problem with Avadon is Jeff was trying to create a Bioware RPG clone.

IIRC he wrote a circle jerky piece about how much he loved Dragon Age (or was it Mass Effect?), and how his next game would take inspiration from Bioware.