Best introduction to Spiderweb software games?

[SCHUMI4EVA]

So I've heard great things about theses games and I have all of them (other than this one) based on reputation alone.

Now I'm looking for a starting point and I figure the latest game is gonna attract the best amount of responses since I dont't know which of them is most popular (so where else to post this).

So far I downloaded the first Geneforge (since I didn't want to spoil myself with the improvements of later titles) and tried that. It ran in stamp size and I'm afraid that's just plain unplayable. So I realize I need a friendlier introduction to this type of RPG but I have no clue where to begin.
Help?

[Byron]

I started with Avernum: Escape from the Pit and frankly, I thought it was awesome. Avadon may be the latest work but I think Avernum: Escape from the Pit would be your best bet. I hate the fight pacing in Avadon, just plain everywhere,

[DCid]

Start with Avadon. Then wait for the remakes.

[Croc]

Go with Avernum: Escape from the Pit.

Avadon is focussed/linear, and Avernum gives you a whole world to explore in any order you like. Avernum 2 is the same world. It's good, but a bit more 'specialist'. 4, 5, and 6 are getting on a bit.

[SCHUMI4EVA]

Originally posted by Croc:

Go with Avernum: Escape from the Pit.

Avadon is focussed/linear, and Avernum gives you a whole world to explore in any order you like. Avernum 2 is the same world. It's good, but a bit more 'specialist'. 4, 5, and 6 are getting on a bit.

I actually like a focused experience. Especially when it's something new and different to what I'm used to.

If I get given too much freedom at the start I tend to get lost somewhere I wasn't meant to be yet and disliking the game for it's lack of story as a result. I like games that start you small and then grow out from there once you've done a bit of the main story.

Does that change the recommendation any?

[Byron]

Originally posted by S3RV3RL3SSinRSA:

Originally posted by Croc:

Go with Avernum: Escape from the Pit.

Avadon is focussed/linear, and Avernum gives you a whole world to explore in any order you like. Avernum 2 is the same world. It's good, but a bit more 'specialist'. 4, 5, and 6 are getting on a bit.

I actually like a focused experience. Especially when it's something new and different to what I'm used to.

If I get given too much freedom at the start I tend to get lost somewhere I wasn't meant to be yet and disliking the game for it's lack of story as a result. I like games that start you small and then grow out from there once you've done a bit of the main story.

Does that change the recommendation any?

It changes mine, go with Avadon 1.

Avernum: Escape from the Pit has echoes of Morrowind for me, the freedom and just dropping you in without much hand holding is why I love them. Avadon is much better at guiding the player along in a specific direction.

[SCHUMI4EVA]

Ok then another question. How much do the games build on each other? Is it like Elder Scrolls where the games are thinly connected and can easily be enjoyed without prior knowledge? or more direct sequels?

[FroBodine]

Every Spiderweb Software game can be played and thoroughly enjoyed on its own. No prior knowledge of anything is necessary. Any necessary back story from previous games in the series is explained to you in the game as needed.

I have played Escape from the Pit, and now I'm playing Avadon 3, without having played Avadon 1 or 2. And, I'm having a blast!

Just buy whatever one you want and enjoy. You'll eventually buy them all because they're so much fun. The newer ones have better UI and such, the Geneforge series is pretty long in the tooth now.

[Byron]

I agree with FroBodine, they can be enjoyed seperately. They set up the plot for the next game and that's about it.

[SCHUMI4EVA]

Final question...there's no movement range? In fact there's no way of telling how many turns anything consumes?

[FroBodine]

Do you own any of the games? The manual explains how the combat rounds work. You get eight action points. As long as you have an action point left after you move, you can attack. I'm assuming each square of movement is one action point.

[SCHUMI4EVA]

Originally posted by FroBodine:

Do you own any of the games? The manual explains how the combat rounds work. You get eight action points. As long as you have an action point left after you move, you can attack. I'm assuming each square of movement is one action point.

Must have missed where they are in UI

[SCHUMI4EVA]

Enjoying my time in (the original) Avadon so far guys, thanks for the recommendation. I just wish the engine allowed me to zoom and for pickupable items to be more clearly defined by area. But the rest is great...and actually feels better than your standard dice roll RPG. Granted I've only just completed the first mission, but it's been better than expected so far.

[Byron]

Originally posted by S3RV3RL3SSinRSA:

Enjoying my time in (the original) Avadon so far guys, thanks for the recommendation. I just wish the engine allowed me to zoom and for pickupable items to be more clearly defined by area. But the rest is great...and actually feels better than your standard dice roll RPG. Granted I've only just completed the first mission, but it's been better than expected so far.

I'm glad you are enjoying it, it's a good game. One of the aspects of Spiderweb games is if you learn how to play one you have pretty much learned how to play them all (Speaking from my Avadon and Avernum experience). Which is nice when you are older and your brain is fried after work, you can just pick it up and play.

I'd still recommend Avernum: Escape from the Pit. It's not that the Avadon games are bad, it's that the Avernum games are spectacular.

[GBrL]

I agree with starting with any of the Avadon series to get acclimated with how Spiderweb Software games work. There are LENGTHY demos available in the company's site though, so take your pick on what you want to try.

[Dorok]

Originally posted by FroBodine:

Every Spiderweb Software game can be played and thoroughly enjoyed on its own. No prior knowledge of anything is necessary. Any necessary back story from previous games in the series is explained to you in the game as needed.

I have played Escape from the Pit, and now I'm playing Avadon 3, without having played Avadon 1 or 2. And, I'm having a blast!

Just buy whatever one you want and enjoy. You'll eventually buy them all because they're so much fun. The newer ones have better UI and such, the Geneforge series is pretty long in the tooth now.

I was wondering, I enjoyed a lot Avadon 1 and was a bit disapointed but the number of negative comments from fans.

Bizarrely fans have been much more positive with Avadon 2 but I never succeed play it very far, tried about 3 time. And I wondered if I should try once more or just jump into Avadon 3.