Review If you enjoy it deep and long, you'll like Geneforge 5

[DarkUnderlord]

Tags: Geneforge 5

Here's a <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/137820/2009/01/geneforge5.html?t=201">review of GeneForge 5 from MacWorld</a>:
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<blockquote>Geneforge 5: Overthrow is the final installment in Spiderweb Software’s Geneforge saga, a series of fantasy-themed role-playing games. The Geneforge saga features enriched story lines, open-ended gameplay, and multiple endings, but lacks graphical sophistication or a quality soundtrack. With Geneforge 5, the developers have crafted a strong ending note to the series, but the game’s main problem is also its main selling point: it looks and plays like a game released 15 years ago.
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Geneforge 5 reminds me of Blizzard’s Diablo series, which divides characters into different class types, features a distant third person isometric perspective, and also tasks the character with hoarding lots of dropped loot in their pursuit of some goal. Of course, holding so much loot will encumber you in combat, so you also have to choose what loot you grab carefully.
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[...]
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There are multiple paths, sects, and ways to solve a problem and the lack of a linear plot may turn off some players. Simply, there are so many plots, subplots, and characters to keep track of that only dedicated RPG fans won’t be turned off.
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[...]
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If you enjoy deep, long RPGs with a complex storyline and love old-school turn-based combat then Geneforge 5 will make you nostalgically satisfied, like watching an old 80s movie would.</blockquote>
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"Casual gamers" need not apply.
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Spotted @ <a href="http://www.rpgwatch.com">RPGWatch</a>

 

[Wyrmlord]

I feel nostalgically satisfied when I watch Die Hard.

 

[Mr. Teatime]

I use a Mac most of the time now so may try this out. Thing is, the last Geneforge game I played was either 1 or 2, and I finished neither of them. Is this one of those games/series where I really need to have played the prequels to enjoy the story and world?

 

[Jason]

Is this one of those games/series where I really need to have played the prequels to enjoy the story and world?

Haven't played GF5, but all the previous Geneforges didn't require any previous experience to enjoy.

 

[Morgoth]

My girlfriend enjoys it deep and long as well.

 

[Korgan]

Geneforge is nothing like Diablo. The combat is Avernum or Fallout-like if you're playing it right with a small zoo or some werid BUFF-RUSH-NUKE-STAB if you're going easy mode with a solo agent/infiltrator.

 

[Antagonist]

Is this one of those games/series where I really need to have played the prequels to enjoy the story and world?

Well, it helps. There are a lot of references to earlier games which are somewhat explained but might sound a bit nebulous if you haven't played the former games. It shouldn't be anything really deal-breaking though. It is also my impression that Vogel makes less effort to introduce the setting and its terminology in the later games as he probably assumes that most of his customers are familiar with the setting by now. Vogel usually chooses one of the various endings of a game and bases the successor on it, so if you haven't experienced most of them the story might continue from a starting position you are not familiar with.

My advice: Try to play Geneforge 1 as it gradually introduces you to the setting and in my opinion has a neat plot with you being stranded on a quarantined island. At the same time you learn more and more about the happenings that lead to the quarantine you also get gradually a deeper understanding of the culture the setting.

 

[Mr. Teatime]

Thanks. Grabbing the G1 demo now.

When it comes to Voegl's game series, which would you say is the best? Geneforge? I'm in the mood to invest some time in one.

 

[Antagonist]

When it comes to Voegl's game series, which would you say is the best? Geneforge? I'm in the mood to invest some time in one.

I can't really say as I am a relative latecomer to Vogel's games. I pretty much played all four parts of Geneforge during last summer break and now wait for another extended span of free time to dig my teeth into the Avernum series. There's also a stand-alone game called Nethergate: Resurrection which I will probably play at the end of the month but which sounds interesting on paper at least (Roman setting, same story experienced from the view of the two rivaling factions).

There are far more knowledgeable people on these boards when it comes to Vogel's games than me. Maybe they can give you a better understanding about the differences between Geneforge and Avernum.

 

[Worm King]

I ponder on the question as to why there are people who have played games like Diablo and Starcraft and hold them in high regard but seemingly refuse to touch other RPGs or strategies.

 

[Jason]

When it comes to Voegl's game series, which would you say is the best? Geneforge? I'm in the mood to invest some time in one.

The Avernum series is basically old school dungeon crawling where you create a party and go out exploring and killing stuff. The Geneforge series is more story oriented with multiple endings and factions and the like. I'd say stick with Geneforge unless you're specifically in a dungeon crawling mood.

 

[Volourn]

I'll wait until Geneforge 10. It'll be twice as good as Geneforge 5!

 

[trais]

There are multiple paths, sects, and ways to solve a problem and the lack of a linear plot may turn off some players. Simply, there are so many plots, subplots, and characters to keep track of that only dedicated RPG fans won’t be turned off.

WTF?! If that guy ain't talking shit, then how "non RPG fans" live in a real fucking world when they overload their brains on computer game?

 

[Kane]

I feel nostalgically satisfied when I watch Die Hard.

I'm not the only one!

 

[Andhaira]

The Avernum series is, IMO superior since you can create your own party. However the styles of both games are different; try both and you get different (yet old skool) experiance.

Also, Nethergate is Vogels finest game. play Nethergate:Ressurection today, not at theend of the summer.

Thankfully Vogel isnow done with Geneforge. Lets see what new series he willcome up with next. Hopefully games like Eschalon have woken him from his slumber and made him realize there are other quality shareware devs out therenow. The market is no longer his alone!

 

[Glorm McGlorm]

'deep and long' - is the pun intentional?

 

[Antagonist]

Thankfully Vogel isnow done with Geneforge. Lets see what new series he willcome up with next. Hopefully games like Eschalon have woken him from his slumber and made him realize there are other quality shareware devs out therenow. The market is no longer his alone!

Yeah, old-school RPG fans can now choose between 2 (inexpensive) titles a year. Watch out Jeff, the market is crowded suddenly.

 

[cubgrace]

Avernum 3 is in my top 5 of all time.

 

[mondblut]

Thankfully Vogel isnow done with Geneforge. Lets see what new series he willcome up with next.

A remake of Avernum 1-3 on Geneforge 4 engine, I bet.

 

[Antagonist]

Vogel already announced that he will first wrap up the current Avernum trilogy as well and then start working on a game with a brand new setting.

 

[Andhaira]

Well Avernum 4+ havealready used the 'new'geneforge engine. I guess hewillprobably workon Baldes of Avernum II. Then moveon to something new.

Hmm, I hope this time he works on a more focused setting. Instead of making things empty and huge, make them big but full of stuff. (admitedly avernum did have a lot ofstuff...but alsolots of empty areas)

Also bring back the tactical goodness and tons of spells of the Exile series!

 

[Gold]

Exile 3 is in my top 5 of all time.

Fixed that for you. :wink:

 

[JarlFrank]

And make better graphics. Seriously. Even I could make a better-looking game. He could just use different colors. I've finally managed to ignore the eye-cancer inducing graphics and enjoy his games, but they still look ugly. Mostly because of the horrible choice of colors. He should hire the guy who painted the loading screens in Avernum 5 to make in-game graphics, too.

 

[Elwro]

Wasn't Blades of Avernum a financial fiasco? I doubt he'd risk working on a sequel to that.

 

[Antagonist]

Wasn't Blades of Avernum a financial fiasco? I doubt he'd risk working on a sequel to that.

Yes, it was. It put Spiderweb almost out of business. As mentioned, the next game will be Avernum 6. After that Vogel will start on the mysterious new setting and the accompanying game. IIRC Vogel said that designing each of the past settings provided him with new insights about the act of world creation so I'm really curious what he will come up with now that can start from scratch.