For Mac Leopard users:

We have released a new version of Geneforge 4: Rebellion for the Macintosh. This v1.0.3 update fixes problems with the graphics in the new Leopard operating system. Getting the new version is strongly recommended if you are using Leopard.

This is a couple of weeks old but I realised I'd forgotten to look at Scorpia's Gaming Lair for a bit; here's a snip from her Geneforge 4 review:

Geneforge 4 is structured around the usual “linear path with side quests” model. Certain things must be done to advance, but you can always hold on those while you run off on other errands.

While there are some nuisance (”FedEx”) jobs, most are related one way or another towards helping a faction. And no one will ask you to clean out their cellar. A big plus right there.

What puts a twist on this is that the game does not offer any clear moral choices. You start on the rebel side, but you can also work for the Shapers as a double agent. Or, you could walk the tightrope between the two, doing what you see fit for yourself alone.

After playing through Geneforge 4: Rebellion with a couple of different characters, it's time for a review of Spiderweb's latest entry into this series.  Indie heaven or more of the same?

Faced with a troop of well-armed Shaper soldiers mercilessly hunting down fleeing peasants, does the player float back into the shadows and allow the slaughter or step in and face a difficult battle?  Or were they troublemaking Rebels to be dealt with?  Geneforge 4 often uses these scripted encounters to good effect and with surprising emotional depth.  Cornered by a Shaper operative, do you choose to betray the location of a Rebellion camp or maintain loyalty?  Which holds the better future for humanity? Siding with one faction or another will gradually change your reputation with the different sides and – together with certain key encounters - can affect which areas are accessible and sometimes who will talk with you and how they react.  Much of the time you’ll be able to pass as refugee riff-raff, but as your reputation and power grows word will reach some ears.  There are a handful of specific turning points in the game and the overall structure of the journey is the same regardless of the faction the player supports but there are plenty of choices that change the shape of the gameworld along the way.

Read it all here.

GameTunnel's March Indie Review Panel includes Spiderweb's Geneforge 4 among the various games reviewed.  Three short opinions are included with one 6/10 and two 8/10's, making for a combined 7.5/10 and a Silver award:

Another masterful story from Spiderweb software. The originality of the characters always grips me. No-where else are such fanciful and unique classes of characters to be found. The graphics are a step up from the last few games, which should make this a game that more people are willing to give a shot (and you really should!). It has a Knights of the Old Republic feel to it as you are able to choose a side and go with whatever side you wish. Of course the right and wrong aren't necessarily as obvious in Geneforge as they are in Star Wars. Maybe the most fun part is being able to create a living party of custom-skilled beasts to help you through the game. A slow-paced dungeon crawl for those who long for an original story.

There's also coverage of a Xelda-esque adventure/RPG and Sam & Max 4 for those interested.

RPG Vault has an overview interview on Geneforge 4 with Jeff Vogel.  Here's a snip:

Jonric: What leads you to believe the game will succeed in a marketplace where other titles are certain to have much greater visibility?

Jeff Vogel: The player plays a rebel who has been given the life creation powers of the Shapers. You can create your own little army of powerful, totally obedient, custom-made mutant monsters. If you want, you can fight to attain your goals, blasting all that oppose you.

However, the most important quality of the Geneforge games is that they are very open-ended and allow for a lot of ways to progress. You can attain practically any major goal through battle, stealth, diplomacy or a mix of all three. Also, there is no pre-ordained villain. There are lots of sides, and you can pick any one of them, work for them, and still reach a reasonable end to the game. Since you can make actual choices about your path, the Geneforge series has actual role-playing in it.

I really aim to create a lot of replay opportunities. When you reach the end, you can start over, pick a different side and different tactics, and have a very different game experience.

Thus, though it's a low-budget title, it still has a place in the marketplace (and early sales are very strong). Most people don't make single-player RPGs like this anymore, so there isn't a lot of competition. It may seem that MMORPGs have sort of taken over the world, but there are still lots of people who long for this sort of game.

Look for our review in the next few days.

Spiderweb has released Geneforge 4: Rebellion for Windows:

You are a rebel, given the power to craft life and sent to fight the Shapers. At least, that is what they told you to do. Will you fight your oppressors? Or will you join them, tempted by the incredible rewards they offer? You have the chance to change the world. What path will you choose?

Geneforge 4: Rebellion features:

• Enormous world, with over 80 areas to explore.
• Choose among several sides, each with its own beliefs, cities, and quests. Help the rebels or fight them. Your choices will shape the world.
• Dozens of different endings.
• Many paths to victory. Slay your enemies or use stealth and diplomacy to outwit them. Become engrossed in the storyline or just go out and wreak havoc.
• Lots of replay value.
• Prior experience with the Geneforge series is completely unnecessary.

Hit the link to download the huge demo and watch for our review in the next week or two.  Thanks also to numerous readers who wrote in on this.

As the Windows version approaches, Spiderweb has released a v1.02 patch for the Mac version of Geneforge 4 that "fixes a variety of bugs and is probably a good idea".

Spiderweb is calling for testers for the Windows version of Geneforge 4: Rebellion.

Inside Mac Games has just published their extensive review of Geneforge 4, giving it a respectable 8.5/10. Perfect scores were given to the game's gameplay and value, while sound brought the final score down somewhat.

When you come right down to it, Geneforge 4 is an absolute steal value-wise. The game offers an expansive world with high replayability and solid gameplay and an overall improved experience for the user from past games. Although Spiderweb is charging $3.00 more for Geneforge than for past games, it's a well-deserved $3.00. Geneforge 4 is, quite simply, the most engrossing and fun game released by Spiderweb to date.

Spiderweb has released Geneforge 4: Rebellion for the Mac, with the PC version to follow in early 2007.  As always, there's a demo on the game's page:

Geneforge 4: Rebellion is now available for the Macintosh! The Geneforge saga continues, as a vicious war engulfs the lands of Terrestia. Choose whether to aid the rebels or their former masters, choose from many possible paths to victory, and, as always, command an army of totally obedient mutant monsters.

There's also a v1.01 patch available.

Spiderweb has kicked up six new screens from Geneforge 4: Rebellion.

Inside Mac Games has a preview of Geneforge 4 based on the Mac beta.  Here's a snip on some of the differences to prior generations:

First off, Geneforge 4 completely departs from past games in the series by offering five classes to pick from (as opposed to the original three): Warrior (same as a Guardian), Infiltrator (Agent), Lifecrafter (Shaper), Shock Trooper, and Servile. That's right; at last you can truly represent those poor oppressed Serviles, funny nose and all.

Secondly, very soon after starting a new game I realized that Geneforge 4's world is much more active and interesting than past Spiderweb games thanks to a large number of graphical enhancements. Two of the most obvious ones were weather effects and small environmental animations.

We talk to Spiderweb's Jeff Vogel about indie RPG development and their upcoming game, Geneforge 4: Rebellion. Here's a snip:

RPGWatch: Do you see the player demand for more advanced technology making the successful indie development of cRPGs harder, or is that outweighed by better development tools, things like the rise of broadband and online distribution or more players disenfranchised with AAA offerings?

Jeff Vogel: That’s a very good question, and, if I knew more about marketing, I could give it the answer it deserves. But sometimes it’s a mystery to me why I sell so many games.
But I will say this. One thing that trumps most other factors is the simple lack of new, quality single-player RPGs in the marketplace. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion showed that there’s a desire. But most of the time, I’m one of the few people fulfilling it.

You are a rebel, given the power to craft life and sent to fight the Shapers. At least, that is what they told you to do. Will you fight your oppressors? Or will you be tempted by the incredible rewards they offer you in return for switching sides? You have the ability to steer history. What will you choose?

Geneforge 4: Rebellion has a huge and open storyline. You can choose among several sides, each with its own beliefs, fortresses, and quests. There are dozens of different endings. You can help the rebels, or fight them. Slay your enemies or use stealth and diplomacy. Become engrossed in the storyline or just go out and wreak havoc. No matter what you choose, Geneforge 4 offers an enormous adventure with plenty of replay value.

Geneforge 4 should be out in late 2006 for Macintosh and early 2007 for Windows. Prior experience with the Geneforge series is completely unnecessary to enjoy Geneforge 4. Geneforge 4 will be $28, or $34 with a hint book. System requirements: PC Running Windows 98 or later or Macintosh running System 8.1 or later, 50 MB free RAM, 150 MB hard disk space, 1024x768 screen resolution with 16 bit color.