Avernum 5
- May 11, 2012
- Spiderweb Software
In Avernum 5, delve into the subterranean nation of Avernum, rife with rogues and monsters. Embark on an epic journey in the second chapter of the Great Trials Trilogy, complete with a captivating narrative, a vast world, and hundreds of quests. Hone your skills with 50 spells, engage in strategic combat, and discover magical items or craft your own unique equipment.
Reviews
- The game features a fantastic story, well-developed characters, and engaging dialogue, making it a highly enjoyable experience.
- It offers a classic RPG feel with deep stats, challenging gameplay, and a rich world to explore, providing significant replayability.
- Despite its low-res graphics, the game creates an immersive atmosphere that many players find charming and nostalgic.
- The game suffers from extreme linearity, forcing players to follow a single path rather than allowing for free exploration.
- Combat can be punishingly difficult, with some enemies having excessive hitpoints, leading to frustrating encounters.
- The lack of background music and some cumbersome controls detract from the overall experience, making it feel outdated.
- story16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its phenomenal narration, well-developed characters, and engaging dialogue, contributing to a rich RPG experience. Reviewers highlight the classic RPG feel, with a compelling main plot and numerous side quests that enhance the overall narrative. While some note a linear progression and limitations in resolution, the storytelling and immersive environment are consistently regarded as standout features.
“The story, the narration, the setting, the characters, the dialogue, it's all phenomenal.”
“Fantastic classic RPG with an amazing environment and interesting story.”
“I love the saga, the storytelling is fantastic and the atmosphere fascinating.”
“The only cons I find are the really small max resolution and kind of linear story, which is unusual for this series.”
“Normally it's the player deciding in which direction to go and how to proceed with the story, which has several main plots.”
“Despite an old engine, the story continues with the same good bits.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of Avernum are described as low-resolution and somewhat archaic, yet they contribute a unique charm that does not detract from the game's immersive world and storytelling. Players appreciate that the game prioritizes solid gameplay over flashy visuals, proving that engaging RPG experiences can thrive without high-end graphics. Overall, while the visuals may not be modern, they are deemed sufficient for enjoying the rich narrative and gameplay.
“The low-res graphics don't take away from the incredible world of Avernum.”
“An old-school RPG which proves that it doesn't need 'ultra high detailed' graphics to create an immersive atmosphere.”
“For the value of this game, I'd say as long as you can tolerate the archaic graphics, controls, and resolution (I had to play on a smaller resolution on my 1920x1080), you'll be in for one treat.”
“Although Avernum does not have fancy graphics, I still think this series is one of the best RPGs ever.”
“Flashy graphics are not essential when you have a well-built world, good storytelling, and sound gameplay.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that while the game includes sound effects, it currently lacks background music, leading to speculation that music may be introduced in later stages.
“It has sound effects but doesn't seem to have background music.”
“Maybe the music comes later?”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its immersive quality, demonstrating that high-end graphics are not necessary for an engaging experience. The storytelling and nostalgic elements contribute significantly to its captivating ambiance.
“An old-school RPG that proves you don't need ultra-high detailed graphics to create an immersive atmosphere.”
“I love the saga; the storytelling is fantastic and the atmosphere is fascinating.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's significant playtime and challenging nature, which contribute to its high replayability, making it enjoyable to revisit multiple times.
“The game offers a lot of playtime and replayability, making it quite challenging.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, encouraging you to come back for more.”
“With multiple paths and choices, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay retains the familiar mechanics of previous installments, featuring enjoyable turn-based combat and a compelling plot that fans will appreciate.
“The gameplay feels almost exactly the same as previous parts of the game (which is awesome); the whole plot is nice, and the classic turn-based combat is entertaining.”
“The combat system is engaging and offers a perfect blend of strategy and fun, making each encounter feel rewarding.”
“The controls are smooth and intuitive, allowing for a seamless gaming experience that keeps you immersed in the action.”