Digitally Downloaded reviewed Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Review: Avernum 4: Greed and Glory (PC)

Sometimes all you need is a good story.

Jeff Vogel is a legend. It’s not because he’s produced a game that has sold a billion copies. The likes of EA, Microsoft and others haven’t come sniffing for his company, Spiderweb Software, like they did for Bioware, Obsidian and others. He’s a legend for another reason: For decades now, he’s been able to carve out and maintain his niche as a largely one-man band. He’s a survivor of the video game indie space, and that is something truly admirable. It’s a tough space out there. And now he’s back with a remake of one of his more loved titles, Avernum 4.

We’re used to remakes and remasters bringing a graphical update to the original, but to be upfront: That’s not the case with Avernum 4. Graphics – which are expensive to produce (particularly for epic-length RPGs) have never been Vogel’s strong suit, and Avernum 4: Greed and Glory looks no different to the rest of SpiderWeb’s games. Without sugar-coating it, these aesthetics are primitive and limited, and the mainstream audience would look at the game running in bemusement. I myself can’t help but wonder what an HD-2D like engine remaster might do to the personality of any of Vogel’s games, including Avernum. I do feel like the aesthetics put something of a wall between the game and player – they’re so dry and functional that the games become an almost academic experience.

[...]

I realise that Avernum, and Spiderweb Software’s work in general, is a tough sell. One look at the screenshots and it’s far too easy to file this one away as something too niche for its good. But I’ll tell you this: Any time I’ve convinced someone to actually play a Spiderweb Software game, they’ve gone on to play at least a few more. Jeff Vogel has been a great survivor in indie development for a reason. If you like your RPGs, give Avernum 4 a go. Trust me.

Score: 4.5/5

RPGFan reviewed Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Review

The modern CRPG revival shows no sign of slowing down, and Spiderweb Software’s latest remaster keeps the momentum going. To mark the 25th anniversary of Avernum 4, founder and lead developer Jeff Vogel is revisiting the classic with an updated edition packed with new features and a refreshed interface built for modern systems. Unlike the Geneforge remaster from a year or so back, Avernum 4: Greed and Glory tells a more traditional, party-based fantasy tale. Yet it still thrives on the rich worldbuilding, vast exploration, and sharp writing that have defined Vogel’s work from the start. Avernum 4: Greed and Glory stands as another strong entry in the CRPG pantheon and a fine entry point for newcomers, though it will likely resonate most with those who fondly remember CRT monitors, late-night pizza runs, and the shrill whine of dial-up connections.

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Avernum 4: Greed and Glory is akin to reading a good fantasy novel: it’s deeply engrossing at times, requiring a fair bit of imagination to bring the world to life, and likely not the most modern method of accessing such content. But in saying this, the subterranean stories of Avernum, and its many detailed factions and quests keep you moving forward and invested in what’s coming over the next hill cavern. The commitment to playing an open role and of exploring everything on your own terms and time is an element many modern games still cannot offer in the same way. For those with such a bent, and with a willingness to engage their imagination and forgive some older design elements, Avernum 4: Greed and Glory will suck you deep into its yawning, cavernous depths.

Score: 80/100

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Mortismal Gaming reviewed Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed & Glory - Review After 100%

Mortismal Gaming checked out Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed & Glory - First Impressions

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory has been released:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Trailer

The cult-classic saga is back! Battle for fame, power, and wealth in the subterranean nation of Avernum. Conquer an enormous underworld in this epic turn-based fantasy RPG. Features huge, clever dungeons, varied and cunning foes, 100s of artifacts to find or craft, and a really cool story.

The demo for Avernum 4: Greed and Glory is now available - some gameplay:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Dev Livestream, 10-15-25, Part 1

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Dev Livestream, 10-15-25, Part 2

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Couchpotato spotted a demo for Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Next Fest Livestream and Q&A #1

Epic, fantasy RPG in the cult classic series coming Oct. 22 to Windows/Mac. Try the demo and see a preview now!

Started in 1994, the cult classic Avernum series is one of the great video game sagas. On October 22, Spiderweb Software returns to this unique underworld nation with Avernum 4: Greed and Glory! Coming for Windows and Mac.

Join us for our first (of 2) livestream by the developer, a grumpy indie developer veteran who has been making his odd, low-budget, fun adventures for 31 (!) years. Enjoy learning about the decades-old Avernum series and the indie games business from a fun old crank.

In this new, epic fantasy role-playing adventure, you explore and save (or betray?) an enormous underworld nation. Battle through huge dungeons, fight unique and cunning foes, collect, create, and bless hundreds of different artifacts, and enjoy a really cool story.

Avernum is a nation deep underground, full of huge caves, treacherous labyrinths, and fairylands of alien fungi. Once a prison, it has won its freedom and is now reaching for wealth and glory. However, old enemies from the deepest caves envy Avernum's growing power. You will have to fight to save this new, fragile land (or be well paid to betray it).

You can see an Avernum 4 trailer, screenshots, and plenty of information on our web site or on our Steam page. If you are interested, please wishlist the game on Steam. It helps a lot!

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory will be released on October 22:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Trailer

The cult-classic saga is back! Battle for fame, power, and wealth in the subterranean nation of Avernum. Conquer an enormous underworld in this epic turn-based fantasy RPG. Features huge, clever dungeons, varied and cunning foes, 100s of artifacts to find or craft, and a really cool story.

The Turn Based Lovers checked out Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

One of the Longest-Running Indie RPG Series Ever Is Getting a Major Remake

Jeff Vogel Returns with a Remake of the Fourth Avernum RPG Called Greed and Glory

It seems that Jeff Vogel, one of the most prominent indie RPG developers, churns out new games with disarming ease. And we’re not talking roguelites or bite-sized puzzle titles, but ultra-deep CRPGs where players can sink countless hours exploring every corner.

Many are familiar with the Geneforge, Queen’s Wish, and Avernum series, and today’s news centers on the latter, which is gearing up for release with a remake of its fourth installment.

Indeed, within the last few hours, his studio, Spiderweb Software, officially revealed Avernum 4: Greed and Glory, sharing a trailer and opening the game’s Steam page; the announcement calls the project the first chapter in the series’ Great Trials Trilogy.

[...]

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Couchpotato spotted a trailer for Avernum 4: Greed and Glory and a Kickstarter update:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Trailer

Started in 1994, the cult-classic Avernum series is one of the great video game sagas! In this epic fantasy role-playing adventure, you explore and save (or betray?) an enormous underworld nation. Battle through huge dungeons, fight unique and cunning foes, collect, create, and bless hundreds of different artifacts, and enjoy a really cool story.

Coming October, 2025!

Couchpotato spotted a Kickstarter update for Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Kickstarter, June Update #6

Greetings from Spiderweb Software! Time for another update for the spring. We’ve made a lot of good progress on Avernum 4: Greed and Glory, and cool stuff is about to happen!

Testing Going Well, and the World Is Almost Done

The game world for Avernum 4: Greed and Glory should be done by the end of June. This will be a huge milestone, and I’m really looking forward to it. The original world of Avernum 4 was enormous, and making it was pretty exhausting. The new world is packed with more stuff. Tons of new quests, dialogue, dungeons, and lore. There are new, out of the way encounters and adventures stretching all over the place. The story now has lots of factions and choices, leading to some wild endings.

I’m really proud of how this game is working out. The world has gotten so big and complex that I can barely track all of it. I go back and look at early parts and the things I find surprise me. I want there to be enough stuff that any two players will have wildly different experiences.

As I've said, Avernum feels so much more like a real place now than it ever did before. The caves feel dense, complex, alien, and cool, but there’s a lot of light and fun and silly stuff too. For me, all the new elements are layering together to make a world that feels complex, and that’s what I’m always striving to do.

Testing is also going well. Our small, elite early test squad has sent hundreds of reports, helping me make the game clean and the balance tight. Whatever your preferred difficulty level, I’ll be able to show you a good time. I’m hoping the advance beta test for certain backers will start in 2 months or so.

[...]

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory is making great progress:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory Kickstarter, February Update #4

Greetings from Spiderweb Software! We are still making excellent progress on Avernum 4: Greed and Glory. An October release is the current plan. We have a few small updates and a nice piece of art to share with you!

The World Is Half Done

We just got halfway through remaking the old world, and we played a bunch of it to make sure the game works and is fun. (It does and is.) For fans of the original Avernum 4, we just finished the mad, paranoid city of Almaria, which is kind of the hinge for the whole game world and story.

The new Avernum 4 really feels a lot more like a real place. We have packed all the caves and passages with detail. Fungal forests. Hidden tunnels. Strange workshops. Wineries. Mines, active and abandoned. We added a lot of different sorts of terrain, and we're using them to create a fascinating, alien world to explore (and get lost in). Different regions get different looks, furniture, and flora.

I honestly think Avernum feels more like a real place now than ever.

Now that we know which areas feel more and less developed, we can start putting in user-made content. Which reminds me ...

The Deadline Approaches

If you backed at a level where you can add user-made content, remember that the deadline is the end of March. Happily, we have heard from most backers now. There's a still a lot of people at the less expensive levels who haven't chipped in, though.

What does the deadline mean? Most importantly, this is when we start actually implementing peoples' ideas. Right now, if you add details or make changes, we can handle that. Once your contribution has actually been written and tested, however, we become far less able to make changes. (I am very happy to code your quest once. I really don't want to do it twice.)

So if you sent the outline of something but forgot to add the details, consider doing that. If not, I will take your idea and do all I can to turn it into something people enjoy playing.

The Other Awards

We are working on all the other goodies for backers now. We usually get really serious about it about five months before release, so June or so. If you are waiting for merch, don't worry. It's happening.

New Avernum 4 Art

We're very happy to say that our long time collaborator Ben Resnick is working on Avernum 4. He's already made a great interface and logo. He has also made a detailed world map, attached to this update. More art is on the way, and we're always thrilled with what he makes.

I haven't said much about the new human art yet. That's because we were working on finding an artist and designing the new icons. Now we can say that Remos Turcuman, a skilled icon-maker who has been working with us for some years now, is completely redoing the human art. It's a modular system that will allow us to do a lot of really cool stuff.

We're really excited about the new system, and we hope to have something to show you soon. Thanks so much to everyone who supported us in making this new system.

And that's all for February. Back to work, and you'll hear more from us soon!

- Jeff Vogel

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Spiderweb Software announced a Kickstarter campaign for the remake Avernum 4: Greed and Glory:

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory

Avernum 4: Greed and Glory will be an epic, indie, turn-based fantasy role-playing adventure for Windows, Mac, and iPad. It continues the saga of Avernum, a nation in caverns far under the world, full of misfits, adventures, treasures to be found, and monsters to hunt (and that hunt you).

It will be a remaster of the indie RPG cult-classic Avernum 4, which came out way back in 2005. The original is a massive RPG, full of skilled warriors and wizards using a multitude of weapons, spells, and artifacts to conquer an enormous world. It is old and doesn't run well anymore. We will completely rework everything to make a great, modern game.

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