Avernum 2: Crystal Souls HD 12+

Highly recommended. Deep and immersive rpg in a unique setting.

I played the first Avernum episode (Escape from the Pit) and enjoyed it but felt the ending was underwhelming. This second Avernum episode is more complex as there are more sides to the conflict and resolution takes more effort.

Its better but not perfect as the ending is still unsatisfying. They should have hired someone to write a better narrative because after all the struggles there needs to be a more meaningful result or the game feels nihilistic and players will have to be Zen adepts not to be disappointed.

I guess that is the limit of this kind of game, you fight little fights, gather resources, fight bigger fights, repeat, then the ultimate fight, and after that there is nothing to do. It shows the utter futility of conflict and thus the limit of rpg games like this series.

Otherwise, all the mechanics of the game etc are fine - easy to learn the game, loads of entertainment playing it, some funny episodes (e.g. Blosk dialogues which will amuse fans of British television comedy), some cute animations (I love the way rats and demons die), some bizzare stuff never fully explained so one replays a scenario to try to puzzle out the implied story (e.g. Motrax and cats, Athron's boyfriend... what are we not being told!?!)

Worth every penny - just dont expect to get an answer to the meaning of life (ha!)

What makes spiderweb software games great is great gameplay and solid hours of gaming. In a world increasingly chocked full of "play for a few minutes" or "need to kill time" apps, Jeff reminds me that the long game, the games that need you to sit down and invest in the story, the games that aren't about the quick kill or the star achievement, are games that are worth playing and worth paying for.

Well worth the money you spend for the hours of gaming you get.