G'day Watchers
I thought I'd compile some quick thoughts after completing my first RPG last night in some time actually, Avernum 3: Ruined World. Strangely enough, it took exactly the same amount of time as the second game did, 94 hours.
This was a solid entry in the series with some of the most challenging dungeons I've faced in a Spiderweb game. Whilst I didn't quite enjoy the story pacing as much as Crystal Souls nor the exploration quite as much as Escape from the Pit (largely due to less boat usage) there is still much to enjoy here for open world party based and turn based fans.
The optional dungeon the "Golem Factory" was probably one of my main highlights with its awkward "laser" beam security system making it very tough to traverse. This was a really taxing test of my party at that point. It had that sweet sense of satisfaction in making it out with barely any resources left, which is something I love in these games and many old school RPGs generally. I quite enjoyed the whole theme of discovery on the Golems in the game.
Another unusual dungeon was the oddball yet cute bastion of strangeness, the "Monastery of Madness" which was fantastic fun to go through with its plethora of wacky monk fights. It provided some great levelling fodder and humour late in the game. The Chasm of Screams was also memorable and one of the darker, more challenging dungeons. The end fight in that place was long and tough!
I loved seeing all of the familiar cast and characters from the previous games and the nods to them throughout. Jeff really goes out of his way to reference the historical events from Avernum 1&2 which players of the previous games will recognise.
This adds a layer of lore consistency and makes the world building more memorable.
I should also mention the immense size of the game world. There were so many cities and towns to discover. Having the ability to move between both worlds also added to its sense of scale. I left quite a few quests incomplete as you eventually obtain so many. The Orb of Thralni (gift of flight) got a massive workout that's for sure.
There were also seemingly more interactive puzzles in this game. Nothing too overwhelming, most I happily experimented with until I found the solution.
However, I did refer to Kordanor's youtube Let's Play video at one point in the last section of the game. Turns out that I'd missed a small doorway to the fourth stairwell needed to manipulate matters in the endgame. So thanks for that visual push in the right direction @Kordanor;!
I played on hard and used the following fairly standard party:
Ruffy, human Beserker (level 33)
Melee specialist. He used the Oozing sword, warped metal blade and the sacred tower shield which helped immensely towards the end.
Misha, Nephil Rebel. (Level 32)
Definitely the heavy damage dealer of the group. Archer specialist - used a blessed Bow of the Deep Woods. I liked using adrenaline rush and letting the arrows go!
Mithrilana, Human Priest. (Level 33)
Mostly the buffer of the group and biggest consumer of energy potions, but I did enjoy using divine retribution spell like mad towards the end!
Cassandra, Human Sorcerer. (Level 32)
Haste, Icy Rain(mid game especially) and Arcane Blow were probably my essentials.
All up, it was nice to complete the trilogy. I'm now more freely able to move on to Avernum 4-6, but I also would like to finally play Geneforge for my next Spiderweb game.
Some more of my Spiderweb impressions:
Avernum: Escape from the Pit (119 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18136
Avadon I: The Black Fortress (79 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21875
Avadon II: The Corruption (75 hours)
https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22431&page=2
Nethergate: Resurrection (45 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1428&page=114
Avernum II: Crystal Souls (94 hours)
As for my next game? I'm not sure. I'm leaning towards Elex, as PB games tend to blend well with that relaxed summer holidays feeling.
I thought I'd compile some quick thoughts after completing my first RPG last night in some time actually, Avernum 3: Ruined World. Strangely enough, it took exactly the same amount of time as the second game did, 94 hours.
This was a solid entry in the series with some of the most challenging dungeons I've faced in a Spiderweb game. Whilst I didn't quite enjoy the story pacing as much as Crystal Souls nor the exploration quite as much as Escape from the Pit (largely due to less boat usage) there is still much to enjoy here for open world party based and turn based fans.
The optional dungeon the "Golem Factory" was probably one of my main highlights with its awkward "laser" beam security system making it very tough to traverse. This was a really taxing test of my party at that point. It had that sweet sense of satisfaction in making it out with barely any resources left, which is something I love in these games and many old school RPGs generally. I quite enjoyed the whole theme of discovery on the Golems in the game.
Another unusual dungeon was the oddball yet cute bastion of strangeness, the "Monastery of Madness" which was fantastic fun to go through with its plethora of wacky monk fights. It provided some great levelling fodder and humour late in the game. The Chasm of Screams was also memorable and one of the darker, more challenging dungeons. The end fight in that place was long and tough!
I loved seeing all of the familiar cast and characters from the previous games and the nods to them throughout. Jeff really goes out of his way to reference the historical events from Avernum 1&2 which players of the previous games will recognise.
This adds a layer of lore consistency and makes the world building more memorable.
I should also mention the immense size of the game world. There were so many cities and towns to discover. Having the ability to move between both worlds also added to its sense of scale. I left quite a few quests incomplete as you eventually obtain so many. The Orb of Thralni (gift of flight) got a massive workout that's for sure.
There were also seemingly more interactive puzzles in this game. Nothing too overwhelming, most I happily experimented with until I found the solution.
However, I did refer to Kordanor's youtube Let's Play video at one point in the last section of the game. Turns out that I'd missed a small doorway to the fourth stairwell needed to manipulate matters in the endgame. So thanks for that visual push in the right direction @Kordanor;!
I played on hard and used the following fairly standard party:
Ruffy, human Beserker (level 33)
Melee specialist. He used the Oozing sword, warped metal blade and the sacred tower shield which helped immensely towards the end.
Misha, Nephil Rebel. (Level 32)
Definitely the heavy damage dealer of the group. Archer specialist - used a blessed Bow of the Deep Woods. I liked using adrenaline rush and letting the arrows go!
Mithrilana, Human Priest. (Level 33)
Mostly the buffer of the group and biggest consumer of energy potions, but I did enjoy using divine retribution spell like mad towards the end!
Cassandra, Human Sorcerer. (Level 32)
Haste, Icy Rain(mid game especially) and Arcane Blow were probably my essentials.
All up, it was nice to complete the trilogy. I'm now more freely able to move on to Avernum 4-6, but I also would like to finally play Geneforge for my next Spiderweb game.
Some more of my Spiderweb impressions:
Avernum: Escape from the Pit (119 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18136
Avadon I: The Black Fortress (79 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21875
Avadon II: The Corruption (75 hours)
https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22431&page=2
Nethergate: Resurrection (45 hours) https://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1428&page=114
Avernum II: Crystal Souls (94 hours)
As for my next game? I'm not sure. I'm leaning towards Elex, as PB games tend to blend well with that relaxed summer holidays feeling.
Last edited: