Avernum 2: Crystal Souls - Review @ Geardiary

Michael Anderson of Geardiary known as txa1265 on our forum posted a new review for Avernum 2: Crystal Souls. If you have any questions I'm sure he will answer them.

Long-time fans of the RPG genre have certainly seen branching elements in games pruned significantly through the years. It has been explicitly stated by game company executives that it is simply too expensive to produce the assets required for a number of branches that will never be used. As a result you see what I call ‘phantom branching’ in many AAA RPGs – small things that look like significant choices but that all lead back to the same point and use the same core set of assets.

I had commented on the first Avadon game that I felt constrained, and in the sequel felt much less constrained … but as a comparison I referred to the Avernum and Geneforge games. Obviously there are times when you essentially ‘run out’ of quests because the game is pushing you to the next chapter, but in general the game feels open to allow you to make the choices you want for your party throughout.

I have to say that it is a breath of fresh air that you truly make changes and choices in Avernum 2. There are three different and distinct endings, and you can explore any of all of them. It is a wonderful experience to see the world change as you explore and make decisions, and as you make more and more choices in one direction or the other they add up, your reputation is altered and the world before you subtly shifts. It is wonderful to have a game so focused on your experience as a gamer.