Avernum 5

Avernum 5 is an old-school role-playing game that proudly embraces the design principles that defined PC RPGs long before cinematic cutscenes and sprawling open worlds became industry standards. Developed and published by Spiderweb Software, the title continues the studio's long-running tradition of delivering expansive adventures built around narrative depth, tactical encounters, and player-driven exploration. Set within the vast subterranean realm of Avernum, the game takes an interesting approach by shifting the player's allegiance, offering a perspective that differs from previous entries in the series and adding fresh context to the world's ongoing political struggles. The story centers on a dangerous mission assigned by the Empire. A notorious assassin named Dorikas has begun orchestrating events that threaten to plunge the region into chaos, forcing unlikely allies to work together against a common enemy. This premise gives Avernum 5 a stronger focus on investigation and diplomacy than many fantasy RPGs of its era. Throughout the campaign, players encounter rival factions, uncover hidden motives, and influence events through their decisions. The writing remains one of the g…

Overall I enjoyed the game. Several annoying things: way too many items that could not be sold or used, could only summon up to 2 ally creatures and melee characters seemed pretty weak compared to magic users. I liked the quick travel pylons and that you could use any container to store unlimited items you did not want to carry or get rid of right away.

Continuing through the series, this one felt just as deep as the others. The stories intersect so well that it’s hard not to just keep going through the whole library. The mechanics are consistent, and while it doesn't look like much, the writing keeps you invested in the fate of your party. [The Breakdown] Graphics: Potato-friendly Gameplay: Solid; tricky late-game enemies Story: Deep Difficulty: Hard to master Grind: Average Worth the price? Yes Rating: 8/10

This is the best thus far (I still haven't played Avernum 6). The user gets to take on the role of the Empire! This is what we were waiting for! Hail to Empire!

https://youtu.be/ZqMDr5CE3l8 While a strong entry in the Avernum series the age, especially in the UX elements, is hard to get past despite how much effort and care went into it when released.

it has a really really good story