Avernum 4
- May 11, 2012
- Spiderweb Software
- 9h median play time
Get on SteamAvernum 4 is a fantasy role-playing game where players delve into the underground world of Avernum. Assemble a party of up to eight characters, choosing from 11 distinct classes and a variety of skills and spells. Explore vast caves, treacherous forests, and ruined cities while battling dangerous monsters in turn-based combat. Solve quests, help the needy, and uncover the fate of a dying land.
Mac OS
PC
Reviews
- Avernum 4 continues the rich storytelling tradition of the series, offering a compelling narrative and engaging characters.
- The game features a vast world to explore with plenty of quests and character customization options, appealing to fans of old-school RPGs.
- Despite its technical issues, many players find the gameplay rewarding and immersive, reminiscent of classic turn-based RPGs.
- The game suffers from significant performance issues on modern machines, including lag and low resolution, making it frustrating to play.
- Many players feel that the combat system is repetitive and lacks the depth found in earlier titles, leading to a less engaging experience.
- Avernum 4 is seen as a downgrade compared to its predecessors, with outdated mechanics and a less compelling plot.
- story46 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of Avernum IV is a continuation of the series that offers a rich narrative and immersive world, though opinions vary on its execution. While some players appreciate the depth and writing, others find it weaker compared to previous installments, noting issues with quest clarity and pacing. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling, despite some criticisms regarding linearity and quest navigation.
“All this stuff aside - this game is worth it for the story alone.”
“The story is a great continuation of the rest of the Avernum series!”
“A solid RPG experience with a huge world to explore, plenty of quests and side quests, and of course a rich story.”
“8.5/10 RPG, bit lackluster at the end with the side quests and storytelling.”
“Story quests and side quests are not well marked.”
“In fact, the main quest and central plot of the game aren't really revealed until around 30-40 hours in.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as old-school and rudimentary, reminiscent of 90s RPGs, which some players appreciate for their simplicity and clarity. While the visuals may not be impressive by modern standards, many reviewers emphasize that the engaging story and expansive gameplay compensate for the lack of high-detail graphics, making it enjoyable for fans of classic isometric RPGs. Overall, the graphics are seen as a non-issue for those who prioritize gameplay and narrative over visual fidelity.
“An old-school RPG which proves that it doesn't need 'ultra high detailed' graphics to create an immersive atmosphere.”
“Do not automatically be driven off by the rudimentary graphics; this is a very enjoyable game!”
“Avernum is an old school isometric RPG that makes up for its graphics in its vast map and enjoyable story, which involves exploring the underground caverns where the empire has exiled many of its people.”
“I love the game so much, even with its simple graphics; yet, I can't recommend it.”
“If you really like old-school RPGs with graphics from the 90s similar to Ultima 6 and co, this might be your game; otherwise, avoid!”
“Subpar graphics (none really)”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring outdated mechanics that may frustrate players accustomed to modern RPGs, yet it still offers a solid experience with a compelling story and challenging battles. While it lacks some quality of life improvements seen in recent remakes, those who adapt to its older systems may find enjoyment in the gameplay's straightforwardness and depth. Overall, it stands as the weakest entry in the Avernum series, but still provides a decent length and engaging combat.
“It lacks a lot of the quality of life improvements from the remakes of the first three games, but once you get used to the older systems, the gameplay holds up and the story is great as usual.”
“While the gameplay may not compare to the RPGs of late, there are a few fights that are genuinely tricky.”
“I definitely enjoyed the mechanics of this, the world, and the story.”
“After 9 hours of gameplay, it takes 10-15 minutes before the lag creeps up again.”
“By far the weakest of the Avernum series, using outdated mechanics (the old 'you must have 5 action points to attack/cast spells' rule from as far back as Geneforge 1, which was later abandoned for obvious reasons), not containing other mechanics that are rather important (i.e. being able to press A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc. to target spells or missile attacks), and more.”
“By far the weakest of the Avernum series, using outdated mechanics (the old 'you must have 5 action points to attack/cast spells' rule from as far back as Geneforge 1, which was later abandoned for obvious reasons), not containing other mechanics that are rather important (i.e. being able to press A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc. to target spells or missile attacks), and more.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highly inconsistent, with some users reporting severe performance issues such as constant stuttering and laggy mouse input, even on modern PCs, while others find it surprisingly well-optimized. Overall, the experience varies significantly, leading to mixed recommendations.
“Surprisingly optimized.”
“Performance is beyond awful; even with the fixes for mouse lag you can find on the forums, which only partially work.”
“However, the performance is abysmal on a modern PC.”
“Constant stuttering, a forced 1024x768 (16-bit color) resolution, and extremely laggy mouse input make it so I cannot recommend this to anybody.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to a lengthy tutorial filled with repetitive tasks. The Avernum series caters to a niche audience that appreciates its less visually appealing, yet more labor-intensive gameplay, reminiscent of a more tedious version of Skyrim.
“At first, I was annoyed by how tedious the game was: the tutorial is a long list of 'click this' 'click that' explanations in relation to doing simple commands.”
“The Avernum games are definitely not going to please everyone, and they are targeted towards people who are okay with playing a much less visually appealing, much more tedious Skyrim.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game successfully creates an immersive atmosphere without relying on high-end graphics, demonstrating that an old-school RPG can effectively engage players through its design and ambiance.
“An old-school RPG that proves you don't need ultra-high detailed graphics to create an immersive atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into its world with every sound and visual.”
“Every corner of the environment is filled with rich details that enhance the overall mood and immersion.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is often likened to the intense and aggressive style of Napalm Death, suggesting a heavy, chaotic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. This comparison highlights the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and energy through its musical composition.
“The music feels like a chaotic mess, reminiscent of a Napalm Death song.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks any real depth or variety.”
“The audio design is jarring and detracts from the overall experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is somewhat buggy, indicating that stability issues may affect the overall experience.
“The game is a little buggy.”
“I experienced frequent crashes that made it unplayable.”
“There are numerous glitches that disrupt the gameplay experience.”
