Avernum: Escape From the Pit

1. Brother_Fasial

   Apr 17, 2012

   10

   This game is in the interesting position of being a remake of a remake. It started life in (I think) 1995 as 'Exile: Escape From the Pit. ItThis game is in the interesting position of being a remake of a remake. It started life in (I think) 1995 as 'Exile: Escape From the Pit. It was later remade as simply 'Avernum'. I played the original incarnation and I loved it. Alright, so there were a lot of things wrong with it, but I loved it. I also played the remake and, whilst I enjoyed it for a while, it just wasn't as fun as Exile and I never finished it. This was a shame, as the new engine 'Avernum' was built on ironed out most of the small problems present in the original.
   
   Avernum: Escape From the Pit, surpasses the original in every way. I'll now break this review into the different aspects of the game.
   
   Graphics: 8/10. Despite the nostalgic appeal of Exile's old sprites, I can't deny that these new graphics are far superior, An isometric view of the world of Avernum is so much more pleasant and flexible than the old 2d sort-of-top-down view (in fairness to the original Avernum, it introduced this) and far, far nicer than the old Avernum's graphics. My only complaint is that the caves of Avernum seem a bit too brightly lit, but it's nothing jarring.
   
   Gameplay: 10/10. The most important aspect of any game, and where this one truly excels. In Avernum: Escape From the Pit, you control a party of four people (less if you want). As with any RPG worth it's salt, you can customise the skills and abilities of all of your characters, and there is much scope for creating several diversely different characters.
   
   Combat is a simple turn-based affair and is also very enjoyable. There is a wide variety of enemies for you to fight and the fight against regular enemies is interspersed with challenging and engaging pseudo-boss-battles. My only complaint with combat is that it isn't uncommon for you to accidentally target the wrong enemy, though this rarely has catastrophic consequences (it might on the higher difficulties, though).
   
   The movement system is much more pleasant and fluid than in the older games, allowing you to click on a location not too far away from you and have your characters walk there, rather than having to literally guide them every step of the way.
   
   Storyline: 9/10. The storyline is the same as the previous two incarnations of the game, though tweaked and expanded in some areas. This is, simply put, a good thing. In this game, you take the role of some of those banished to live in the underground cave system of Avernum as punishment for a political crime of some sort. I won't say anything else specific, but I will say that the storyline is both engaging and rewarding, ensuring that you play the game to its conclusion. There are also many sidequests and dungeons to explore.
   
   Sounds: 7.5/10. The game's weakest area, but that isn't to say that the sounds are bad. They're just a little lacking. For example, there are some perfectly good pieces of music that play at the title screen and during loading screens, but there's no music at any other time. The sound effects are good, though they can become repetitive.
   
   Replay Value: 9/10. Whilst you're unlikely to play the whole game more than once (except perhaps on the highest difficulty (if you didn't do so first time), with a single character (again, if you didn't do so first time) or simply having not played it for a while), the large number of sidequests and dungeons to explore will see you investing many hours of your time into this game. There are also several medals (which double as achievements if you buy from Steam) for to earn, providing further reason to stick with the game.
   
   Overall, a truly excellent game, worthy of anyone's time. 9.5/10, rounded up to 10 for this review.… Expand

   • 12 of 14 users found this helpful
2. ePxOscuraNiebla

   Jun 27, 2012

   10

   It's simply a Great Game! don't judge a book by it's cover, but you need to read it first! a book maybe outdated and have a very bad cover andIt's simply a Great Game! don't judge a book by it's cover, but you need to read it first! a book maybe outdated and have a very bad cover and didn't typed very neat, but the most interesting in a book is the content. i believe you can find the same on this game.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
4. nirvycn

   Apr 13, 2012

   10

   Never heard of this before, picked it up of steam, its very very good, nice retro graphics, decent interface, and seems like a VERY long game.Never heard of this before, picked it up of steam, its very very good, nice retro graphics, decent interface, and seems like a VERY long game. The writing in game and stories seem much better written than most. Glad i stumbled across this one steam.… Expand

   • 8 of 10 users found this helpful
5. night4

   Dec 24, 2016

   9

   Despite the horrible graphics and general lack of music, this game is really, really fun. It did take some willpower to actually try to getDespite the horrible graphics and general lack of music, this game is really, really fun. It did take some willpower to actually try to get into it though.
   
   I LOVE all the spells, skill trees, and quests. It feels like an updated old school turn-based RPG.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
6. oslin007

   Nov 15, 2013

   9

   This game is GREAT! have only played the first geneforge and avadon game from spider web but this is probably my favourite. Even though itThis game is GREAT! have only played the first geneforge and avadon game from spider web but this is probably my favourite. Even though it shares the same mechanics and graphics as avadon this game feels more like ultima or morrowind to me. Easy to get into, interesting setting and a ton of freedom and conent. You will like it… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
7. keemt

   Nov 15, 2015

   9

   Totally awesome, just bad graphics. The graphics in-game are tolerable but there are some really awesome paintings that never get old and areTotally awesome, just bad graphics. The graphics in-game are tolerable but there are some really awesome paintings that never get old and are pure dynamite. I found myself a little less "lost in the experience of the game" while playing this in comparison to Geneforge, and I'm not sure why. The characters are real or funny and refreshing. The game is absolutely huge and took me 100 hours or more to complete everything with one party. As with most RPGs I play, the items aren't designed to the fullest they could have been and don't feel like they add enough to the combat or gameplay, although there is one item that significantly changes your experience with the game. The writing is above average and sometimes great. Love the story. Anyone who complains about the lack of music or sound effects needs to put on a self-made playlist, which is better than every videogame soundtrack possible. Skills and spells are lackluster but still fun. The game is designed beautifully for having fun and not wasting time.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
8. Anon456

   Jan 17, 2013

   7

   This was a great game. The plotline never fails, the various cave and things never bore, it's very fun. HOWEVER. I did not like the outdoorThis was a great game. The plotline never fails, the various cave and things never bore, it's very fun. HOWEVER. I did not like the outdoor travel. Part of the fun of playing Avernum 6 (the one a played before this) was traveling between cities and finding a bunch of secret caves and small groups of enemies. You can still do that now, but it's flare seems to have been taken away somehow.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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