Avadon: The Black Fortress

Clunky and not fun. This is a "classic" CRPG and it feels like a game from the mid 90s, not 2011.

At first I wondered if this narrative was self-aware. It makes frequent reference to Avadon and it's Lord being feared, and the protagonist causing unease in those they meet. The narrator sometimes makes tongue-in-cheek references to how this might not be ideal. There's even a somewhat satirical depiction of democracy depicted in the game world. The further I play though, the more I feel that it's lightheartedness about the concept of ruling with an iron fist is genuine. Sure, it's a fantasy game. There are lots of medieval fantasy monarchies or merchant oligarchies. It's not unique in that regard. But this game actually engages with the politics of Autocracy (i.e. Fascism), and goes... you know what? It's not that bad. When facing hostile invaders, maybe it's even nessecary? There are so many references to things being 'harsh but fair'. So many examples of how people benefit from The Pact. So many characters who emphasise just how important Loyalty and Honour are. Meanwhile people living in these lands are genuinely paraoid. The NPCs you talk to all either have power over you, or are painfully aware that you have power over them. And the game's in-world Codex and narration r…

pretty fun game the Avadon ones are more accessible than the Avernum ones.

A great, highly entertaining classic style RPG. Good mission length, that keeps you playing for hours. Mostly trying to uncover the plot makes you wanna keep progressing through the tasks. I'll be playing this and the sequels for quite some time.

Game play is vibrant, story is very flexible, and characters are realistic. The clues and the maps are clear.

The good: a solid, well-balanced, isometric party RPG. The bad: neither story nor gameplay impressed me personally, seems more engineered than a work of art.