Geneforge

About

Geneforge is a single player role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Spiderweb Software and was released on December 1, 2001. It received very positive reviews from players.

Geneforge is an indie fantasy RPG and the first in the five-game Geneforge Saga, known for its vast world, intricate plot, and innovative game mechanics. Create your own army of obedient creatures and use cunning enemy AI to shape your experience. With multiple endings and high replay value, Geneforge offers a rich, immersive adventure where your choices determine the outcome.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 276 reviews

story86 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with moral complexity and meaningful choices.
Unique gameplay mechanics that allow players to create and summon creatures to aid in combat.
Rich world-building and exploration opportunities that provide a sense of freedom and agency.

Outdated graphics and clunky user interface that may deter some players.
Combat can be frustratingly difficult, with instances of one-shot deaths and unbalanced encounters.
Lack of music and sound effects can make the experience feel empty at times.

story
183 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, originality, and engaging world-building, often described as a well-crafted masterpiece that enhances the overall experience despite dated graphics and gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the intricate narrative that unfolds through exploration and choice, allowing for significant player agency and moral complexity. While some find the pacing slow and the text-heavy delivery cumbersome, the compelling storytelling remains a standout feature that keeps players invested throughout the series.
- “The story is really original with some amazing world building.”
- “What really makes this a great game is the story and the world that has been created.”
- “Geneforge offers what I would personally feel is the goal of all RPGs: to create a story and setting that is compelling in its mystery, intriguing in its theme, and captivating in its storytelling.”
- “Unfortunately, it's an excruciating slog to actually play through to see that story.”
- “Pacing and balance is the main problem with Geneforge: it takes way too long before anything interesting happens, locations become stale before you get anywhere relevant to the story, enemies and obstacles are painfully repetitious.”
- “The only criticism I'd level against the story is that it is delivered almost too arbitrarily; I felt at times I would have been better served experiencing the story through my actions rather than being told what to think with a text box.”
graphics
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
70%
11%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and simplistic, often described as "primitive" or "pitiable" by modern standards. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and functional design, many agree that the visuals do not do justice to the game's rich storytelling and complex mechanics. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may deter some players, the engaging narrative and gameplay more than compensate for their shortcomings.
- “The graphics, while hand-drawn and pitiable by modern standards, are far simpler and easier to comprehend than Baldur's Gate or Arcanum.”
- “Although the graphics may age and the user interface be abundantly clunky, the story and writing will always remain the same.”
- “Look past the archaic graphics (or fall in love with them if pre-rendered isometric graphics are your sort of fetish) and you'll find a very rewarding RPG that is amazingly comparable to the greats.”
- “The only problem with that is the graphics which don't really convey the grandiose nature of the world being explored.”
- “The graphics are rubbish, but understandable considering it was made by such a small team.”
- “The graphics and interface are very dated (does anyone remember Pool of Radiance?) but there's something about the plot and setting that still draws me in.”
gameplay
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by its old-school RPG mechanics, offering a mix of strategic turn-based combat and unique summoning systems that enhance tactical depth. While some players appreciate the rich storytelling and immersive world, others criticize the unbalanced difficulty, repetitive elements, and outdated graphics and interface. Overall, it appeals to fans of classic RPGs who can overlook its flaws for engaging gameplay and a compelling narrative.
- “The gameplay is very similar to other classic RPGs, but with somewhat different roles to choose from.”
- “The mechanics are easily grasped with the tutorial, load times are minimal, shortcuts are well positioned on regular keyboards, and the combat is both intuitive and strategic without being overwhelming.”
- “The exile series achieved a number of impressive feats: mechanically competent gameplay that offered a variety of approaches, the coveted feel of open world exploration rife with secrets and side quests, a well-executed story, culture and competent descriptive prose, and a scope that contributed to a sense of journey, progress and achievement - even some elements of long-term choice and effect.”
- “The mechanics definitely show their age, as a lot of quality of life enhancements from bigger or more modern RPGs are missing.”
- “Pacing and balance is the main problem with Geneforge: it takes way too long before anything interesting happens, locations become stale before you get anywhere relevant to the story, enemies and obstacles are painfully repetitious, and inventory management is painful.”
- “But the gameplay is so repetitive I can't finish this game ever.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The music in Generforge is largely absent, with only a minimal soundtrack present, primarily limited to the title screen. Players often find the sparse ambient sounds insufficient, leading many to mute the game and play their own music instead. Overall, the lack of a significant musical score is seen as a drawback, detracting from the game's atmosphere and experience.
- “I look forward to hi-res versions of Geneforge Saga and hope that music will be added to the game.”
- “There is not much music here aside from the title screen, but enough from towns with the kids playing and running around to outside where there will be animal sounds.”
- “Honestly, some music would have made some of the more annoying slog parts of the game much more palatable.”
- “Other than the title screen, there really isn't any music; it's mostly just light ambient sounds of your surroundings.”
- “Music is non-existent.”
- “The almost total lack of music and no voice acting should be mentioned as the disadvantages of this classic RPG.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its multiple classes and factions, allowing for at least three unique playthroughs. While some players find the length and repetitiveness may deter frequent revisits, the variety in gameplay choices and story quality enhances its replay value. Ultimately, the game offers a rich experience that can be revisited with different strategies and character builds.
- “There is a good bit of replayability; at least 3 unique playthroughs can be done with different classes and sects joined.”
- “However, Geneforge 5 lets you play as all eight classes, shapers, serviles, and rebels, and as far as offering the most replay value, putting that variety at the end sends the series off on a high note from where it first started.”
- “The game even has replayability value with 3 different professions and 3 distinct factions to ally with.”
- “If it were shorter, I'd say this lends to replay value, but because of its length, I'm not sure I'd want to replay it again. I mean, I did... about 10 years later, but I've got lots of games I don't mind revisiting once a year, and this isn't one I'd replay that often.”
- “It often ends up being too repetitive and annoying, so I very much welcomed the minimalist sounds of this game as it made it more playable with sounds on for me.”
- “One can easily double that duration and add replay value with a different class and different choices.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its engaging writing and unique world, which captivates players and enhances the RPG experience. However, some critiques highlight a lack of music and character depth, with simple graphics and sounds that may detract from the overall immersion. Despite these shortcomings, the script's magical quality contributes to a thrilling atmosphere that resonates throughout the game.
- “The game's writing does a very good job of setting up the atmosphere and making you want to play for longer.”
- “Great atmosphere and writing will introduce you to the highly unique and mysterious world which is sure to provide any true RPG fan with an adventure of a lifetime.”
- “The graphics and sounds are simple, but the mechanics work, and Fogel's script feels magical, creating a thrilling atmosphere that keeps in touch throughout the game.”
- “The graphics and sounds are simple, but the mechanics work, and the script feels magical, creating a thrilling atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
- “The atmosphere is lacking depth, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
- “Despite some interesting elements, the overall ambiance feels flat and uninspired.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game elicits strong emotional reactions, with some feeling manipulated by its narrative mechanics. While it lacks the depth of emotional interactions found in classics like Baldur's Gate, it effectively challenges players' moral choices, leading to discomfort and introspection. Overall, the emotional impact is notable, though it varies in intensity compared to other titles.
- “There are very few games I have played that have caused a legitimate emotional reaction out of me.”
- “I can't explain my emotional response without them.”
- “Compare that to a lot of modern games where your only options are 'barf rainbows and friendship' or 'be a complete psychopath.' As the type of person who can't seem to choose anything other than rainbows and friendship, this series made me feel really uncomfortable.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the occasional respite from hostile environments, many criticize the lack of enemy respawns and the tedious pacing that leads to repetitive gameplay. The leveling system is seen as overly grindy, with unbalanced difficulty spikes and frustrating inventory management, making the overall experience feel stale and unengaging.
- “Bad because if you're a fan of grinding in RPGs like I am... well, you see where I'm going when I say the enemies do not respawn.”
- “Pacing and balance is the main problem with Geneforge: it takes way too long before anything interesting happens, locations become stale before you get anywhere relevant to the story, enemies and obstacles are painfully repetitious (and lazy - how many freaking maps are nothing but endless turrets/mines put behind every corner and bend)... the list goes on. Talent trees are unforgiving, leveling up is far too grindy (especially after the game stops rewarding you experience for completing quests), core abilities level up purely on random exploration, inventory management is painful, towns are far too big, most abilities are pointless, enemy difficulty goes from too easy to downright stupid so fast you can't even see it, looking for specific quest or story NPCs in the sea of identical NPCs is annoying, save/rest scumming is a core mechanic... you get the idea.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Geneforge excels in character development by prioritizing individual actions and their consequences over traditional party dynamics, offering a unique and immersive roleplaying experience. Its masterful storytelling and character design contribute significantly to the RPG genre, making it a standout title.
- “Geneforge is, without a question in my mind, a complete masterclass of game story and character design.”
- “Both in character development and a roleplaying aspect.”
- “An amazing addition to the RPG genre, it takes a turn away from party character development, focusing on the world, your actions in it, and the repercussions of those actions.”
- “Both in character development and a roleplaying aspect, the game falls short.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
- “While the game offers an interesting world, the focus on character development is minimal and unsatisfying.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its intentionally dated graphics and the developers' engaging personality, contributing to an overall comedic experience that players find enjoyable.
- “The graphics are hilariously dated.”
- “The devs seem pretty cool, and the game is funny.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, particularly noting that the game freezes for around 10 seconds when accessing the pause menu in the first three games. Overall, while the game is praised for its originality and narrative depth, it is criticized for being plagued by bugs and pacing problems that detract from the experience.
- “However, I have a problem where in games 1-3, whenever I open the pause menu, the game freezes for around 10 seconds.”
- “Tl;dr - a breathtakingly original, open-ended, nuanced, ahead of its time, extremely well-written sci-fi yarn about people meddling with overwhelming power and the fallout of using it to create living (intelligent and self-aware) tools of servitude wrapped inside a horribly paced, convoluted, imbalanced, frustratingly buggy, puke green shell.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The game offers extensive options for character and storyline optimization, allowing for a deep and engaging experience. However, players have reported performance issues, particularly on Windows 7, leading to choppy gameplay during combat.
- “This is an immensely deep world with a storyline, but plenty of choices for optimization for your character, monsters, and the storyline choice.”
- “Combat is rather simple and performance is quite choppy, especially on Windows 7.”
- “This is an immensely deep world with a storyline, but there are plenty of choices for optimization for your character, monsters, and storyline choices.”