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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.

Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot
Geneforge 3 screenshot

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews
story7 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions

  • The game offers nearly 60 hours of engaging story and enjoyable gameplay, with significant improvements in mechanics and hit chance compared to its predecessor.
  • The writing is praised for its complexity and moral ambiguity, allowing players to explore nuanced choices between two factions.
  • The creature creation and management systems add depth to the gameplay, making it a unique experience in the RPG genre.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including slow loading times and glitches that hinder gameplay, making it frustrating for players.
  • The limited choice of factions and more linear progression compared to previous entries restricts player freedom and exploration.
  • The graphics and user interface are considered outdated, and the lack of music detracts from the overall experience.
  • story
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Geneforge 3 is praised for its complexity and depth, offering a compelling narrative that allows players to explore the nuances of two major factions and make meaningful choices that affect the outcome. While some reviewers note a more linear structure and a sense of familiarity with the overarching plot, many appreciate the improved writing and the engaging ethical dilemmas presented throughout the game. Overall, the narrative is considered a standout feature, providing an immersive experience that can take 40-60 hours to fully explore.

    • “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 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.”
  • graphics
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic charm of the 90s and early 2000s style, while others criticize them as subpar and lacking modern appeal. Despite the visual shortcomings, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay and story compensate for the graphics, suggesting that the game's strengths lie in its narrative rather than its visual presentation. Overall, the graphics are described as simple and functional, with a clear divide between those who enjoy the retro aesthetic and those who find it lacking.

    • “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.”
    • “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 long-time players.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 are considered outdated, they are deemed secondary to the enjoyable and innovative gameplay experience. However, some players feel that the story does not match the quality of the gameplay, highlighting a disparity between the two aspects.

    • “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.”
  • music
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect 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 unnecessarily cumbersome as players attempt to gather items or complete tasks.

    • “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.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is considered medium, with some 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.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 serious moments, creating a unique experience.”
    • “The dialogue is filled with hilarious one-liners that kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”

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