Avernum

Avernum is a turn-based, isometric RPG set in a vast underground cave system where exiles from a surface empire have built their own society. As a group of adventurers, players explore an open world with multiple cities, uncover hidden locations, and complete quests—both major and minor—that shape their destiny. The game features deep character customization, tactical combat, and a rich narrative driven by player choices, with multiple endings based on completed objectives.

Avernum: A Deep Dive into the Underground Epic

Introduction

In the annals of indie RPG history, few titles have carved out a legacy as enduring and beloved as Avernum. Released in 2000 by Spiderweb Software, Avernum is a remake of the earlier Exile series, but it stands as a monumental achievement in its own right. This game, and the series it spawned, is a testament to the power of storytelling, deep gameplay mechanics, and the indomitable spirit of indie game development. Avernum transports players to a vast, subterranean world where exiles from a tyrannical surface empire struggle to survive, build a society, and ultimately seek revenge or redemption. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its lasting impact on the RPG genre.

Development History & Context

The Birth of Spiderweb Software

Avernum is the brainchild of Jeff Vogel, the founder of Spiderweb Software. Vogel, a Harvard graduate, started his journey in game development in the mid-1990s with the Exile series. The Exile games were groundbreaking for their time, offering deep storytelling and complex gameplay mechanics in a top-down, tile-based format. However, as technology advanced, Vogel saw an opportunity to revisit and enhance his earlier work.

The Transition from Exile to Avernum

The transition from Exile to Avernum was not merely a graphical upgrade but a comprehensive overhaul. The original Exile games used a simple top-down perspective, but Avernum introduced a 45-degree isometric view, adding depth and dimensionality to the world. This shift allowed for more intricate map designs and a greater sense of immersion. Additionally, Avernum expanded the narrative, adding new quests, characters, and lore to enrich the underground world.

Technological Constraints and Innovations

Developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Avernum faced the technological constraints of its era. The game was built using a custom engine derived from Nethergate, another Spiderweb Software title. Despite these limitations, Vogel and his team managed to create a game that was both visually appealing and mechanically robust. The isometric perspective, while not cutting-edge by modern standards, was a significant step forward from the top-down view of Exile.

The Gaming Landscape of 2000

The early 2000s were a pivotal time for RPGs. Titles like Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale dominated the market, offering rich narratives and complex gameplay. However, these games often struggled with clunky interfaces and pathfinding issues. Avernum, with its turn-based combat and streamlined interface, provided a refreshing alternative. It may not have had the graphical fidelity of its contemporaries, but it more than made up for it with its depth and accessibility.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The World of Avernum

Avernum is set in a vast underground realm, a prison colony for those banished by the surface Empire. The world is a labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and settlements, each with its own unique challenges and inhabitants. The game’s narrative revolves around the struggle of the Avernites—exiles who have built a society in the depths—to survive, thrive, and ultimately seek vengeance against the Empire that cast them down.

Themes of Exile and Rebellion

At its core, Avernum is a story of exile and rebellion. The players take on the role of newly banished adventurers, thrust into a world where survival is a daily struggle. The game explores themes of oppression, resistance, and the human spirit’s resilience. The Avernites are not mere victims; they are fighters, builders, and dreamers who refuse to be broken by their circumstances.

Character Development and Dialogue

One of Avernum‘s strengths is its character development. Players can create a party of up to four characters, each with their own skills, abilities, and backstories. The game features a robust dialogue system, allowing players to engage with NPCs in meaningful ways. While not every character has extensive dialogue trees, even minor interactions—such as speaking with a lizard herder—add depth and immersion to the world.

Major Quests and Side Quests

Avernum offers a mix of major and minor quests, each contributing to the overall narrative. The game’s main objectives include killing the demon Grah-Hoth, discovering a route back to the surface, and assassinating Emperor Hawthorne. These quests are not linear; players are free to explore the world and tackle challenges in any order they choose. This open-ended approach enhances the game’s replayability and allows players to forge their own paths.

The Impact of Player Choices

Player choices in Avernum have tangible consequences. The game features a reputation system, where actions influence standing with various factions and towns. This system unlocks or blocks quests and interactions, adding a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay. Additionally, the game’s multiple endings are determined by the player’s actions, providing a sense of agency and ownership over the story.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Turn-Based Combat

Avernum‘s combat system is turn-based, allowing players to carefully plan their actions and execute tactics with precision. This approach is a stark contrast to the real-time combat of many contemporary RPGs, which often led to characters getting stuck or overlapping. In Avernum, players can move, attack, defend, or cast spells with ease, making combat both strategic and enjoyable.

Character Progression and Skills

Character progression in Avernum is deep and customizable. Players can choose from a variety of races and classes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Skills are categorized into combat, magical, and utility types, with synergies allowing for combined effects. The game’s skill system is flexible, enabling players to create hybrid characters that can adapt to different situations.

Inventory Management and Crafting

Inventory management in Avernum is straightforward but requires careful planning. Each character has a limited number of backpack slots, forcing