Geneforge 3

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 37 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Geneforge 3 Game Cover
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Geneforge 3 is an indie fantasy role-playing game, where you can explore a hostile world, create your own army of mutant monsters, and make decisions that impact the story's outcome. With multiple factions to choose from and various endings, the game encourages replayability as you switch allegiances and strategies in each playthrough. The third entry in the Geneforge series, this adventure offers a vast and open storyline with diverse opportunities for player choice.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews
story7 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game offers nearly 60 hours of engaging story and enjoyable gameplay, with significant improvements over its predecessor.
  • The new island system provides a sense of progression and exploration, with distinct themes for each area that enhance the overall experience.
  • The writing and moral complexity of the story are praised, allowing players to navigate nuanced choices between two factions.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including slow loading times and glitches that hinder gameplay, making it frustrating to play.
  • Players are limited to only two factions, which reduces the flexibility and depth of choices compared to previous entries in the series.
  • The new inventory system, while allowing infinite carry weight, can lead to tedious backtracking due to limited inventory slots.
  • story34 mentions

    The story of Geneforge 3 is praised for its complexity and depth, offering players a rich narrative experience that spans nearly 60 hours. While some reviewers note a more linear structure and a sense of familiarity with the overarching plot, the game compensates with nuanced faction dynamics and ethical choices that enhance player engagement. Overall, the writing is considered an improvement over its predecessor, despite some critiques regarding the repetitiveness of the story elements.

    • “The story of Geneforge 3 is just as complex and compelling as you can expect from the first two entries. Despite there being only two major factions down from four in Geneforge 2, the interplay between them is far more nuanced.”
    • “Geneforge 3 gives the main character (you) an element of choice between two factions that both have their own unique and obvious flaws, which is coupled with a fantastic storyline.”
    • “What it lacks in graphics, it makes up tenfold in story.”
    • “What gameplay improves, however, the story does not.”
    • “Characters feel more forced here and story beats are the same as is found in other RPG series.”
    • “However, I am tiring of the 'same song, different tune' story that is going on.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic charm of 90's and early 00's aesthetics, while others criticize them as subpar and dated. Despite the visual shortcomings, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay and story compensate for the lack of graphical sophistication, suggesting that the game's strengths lie beyond its visuals. Overall, the graphics are described as simple and functional, appealing to some while alienating others.

    • “Additionally, this game has many small technical and graphical improvements over the first two entries in the series that make it feel like a proper sequel rather than merely another game in the same universe, something Geneforge 2 (as much as I loved it) lacked.”
    • “This series also exemplifies how 90's and early 00's graphics are timeless, and how graphics have always been and will be secondary to excellent gameplay.”
    • “It's not easy to make a game more visually appealing to a new audience that would have otherwise been turned off by the classic art style while also not annoying old players who might find the new version too alien and hipster.”
    • “The new graphics do not sit well with me personally, and I made that known at the time it released.”
    • “The design is partial due to a specific wish on the one hand and the very barebones graphic engine on the other.”
    • “Con's: the graphics are subpar at best, must be able to use your imagination.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its significant improvements over the previous installment, featuring refined mechanics, new elements like crafting and human companions, and an engaging 60-hour story. While the graphics may not impress, the gameplay experience is described as enjoyable and innovative, successfully blending nostalgia with modern enhancements. However, some players feel that despite the gameplay advancements, the story does not reach the same level of quality.

    • “Nearly 60 hours of great and entertaining story and enjoyable gameplay.”
    • “Much of the mechanics are done so much better than the second and is a great innovation to the prior Geneforge.”
    • “The gameplay didn't change much but there are new features like crafting and human companions.”
    • “The gameplay didn't change much, but there are new features like crafting and human companions.”
    • “This game doesn't get rid of old mechanics; it just refines them further.”
    • “What gameplay improves, however, the story does not.”
  • music3 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional soundtrack, which has drawn criticism, but it compensates with effective ambient sounds that enhance the exploration experience. Overall, the absence of music is noted as a significant drawback, alongside dated graphics and a poor user interface.

    • “This game has no music, and a really bad UI.”
    • “Geneforge features rather dated graphics and no soundtrack, though.”
    • “Despite lacking a soundtrack, the game makes up for it with some great ambient sounds while exploring.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when backtracking across multiple islands due to limited fast travel options. The experience is further hampered by XP scaling that discourages grinding, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding activity.

    • “That's really tedious, especially when you are further in the game and want to travel back to the first island.”
    • “My big gripe with this entry is the number of blocks on fast travel. There are 5 islands across 3 map pages, and to backtrack all the way from one end to the other (for example, getting junk items for a certain character or to do the advanced shaping tests) is more tedious than it should be.”
    • “It wasn't an exploit, since standard XP scaling pretty heavily discouraged grinding.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability is considered medium, with users highlighting its unparalleled freedom that allows players to engage in a variety of activities, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Replayability: medium”
    • “The replayability of this game is unparalleled because you can do anything you want to do.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Geneforge 3 maintains the series' signature atmosphere, characterized by a pervasive sense of danger, a bleak environment, and complex moral dilemmas, appealing to fans of the previous installments.

    • “Geneforge 3 has the same heart and soul—the ever-present danger, oppressively bleak atmosphere, and murky morality—as any other game in the series, and if you loved the first two, you'll love this one too.”
    • “Geneforge 3 has the same heart and soul-- the ever-present danger, oppressively bleak atmosphere, and murky morality-- as any other game in the series, and if you loved the first two, you'll love this one too.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is noted for being thoughtful and not reliant on typical tropes like slapstick or mindless escapism, offering a refreshing alternative to conventional fantasy narratives. Reviewers appreciate its unique approach, which avoids both derivative elements and excessive drama, making it a more engaging experience.

    • “The humor in this game is clever and witty, making every interaction enjoyable.”
    • “I love how the game balances humor with its storyline, keeping things light-hearted without losing depth.”
    • “The jokes are well-timed and genuinely funny, adding a unique charm to the gameplay.”
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