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- Spiderweb Software
- Spiderweb Software
- Spiderweb Software
- Spiderweb Software
Avadon: The Black Fortress
Released On: May 2, 2011
75
7.5
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
75
50% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
75
50% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
What I do know is this: despite the million dollar game budgets that have taken us to this age of gaming, we are still in a place where a studio like Spiderweb Software exists to give us Avadon: The Black Fortress. This game reminded me of some of the best games I've ever played. Perhaps most importantly, it made me want more. Despite the fact that it probably won't be for everybody, and despite the fact that the mainstream may have moved away from this type of game forever, I'm still giving it an Editor's Choice award.
Spiderweb's new RPG series is also Jeff Vogel's first game for iPad. The game is a relic from the past, but in a good way. Although most of the games for iPad cost a nickel, there's definately room for little more expensive hardcore games. [Sept 2011]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 70 User Ratings
7.5
66% Positive
46 Ratings
46 Ratings
23% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
11% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 70 User Ratings
7.5
66% Positive
46 Ratings
46 Ratings
23% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
11% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Another great game from Vogel. I doubt I'll ever give any of his games a mixed review at this rate. While I felt there were a lack of 'impossible but possible' fights compared to his Exile and Geneforge series games, I still enjoyed it heavily.
Great writing, decent graphics, fun combat as always. Though I don't suggest attempting to beat the last boss on nightmare difficulty with just one character. I've heard that while it's possible, it takes a few hours and all you get is a sentence or two change in the epilogue.
Vogel took a risk on a new story line instead of just rehashing Exile for the 9th time and he got a solid winner. We can only hope it does it more often.
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PC
One of the best Spiderweb Software games, Avadon: The Black Fortress definitely fulfills my day with an astonishing open-ended game that leaves me contemplating the outcome of my very decisions within the game. Excellent graphics for an indie game made by one sole person (Jeff Vogel). Very smooth game, and an even smoother feel to the game. The demo is fairly large, and the game itself is humongous (though smaller than the other Spiderweb Software games). Aside from all those perks, the thing that really got me with this game was the deep, incredible story. If you like RPG's with superb story-lines and don't fuss too much about graphics, then I implore you to try Avadon: The Black Fortress. I assure you, it won't disappoint.
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PC
Avadon: The Black Fortress is like a time capsule waiting to be unlocked. The sparse visuals, uncompromising interface, and lack of tutorials will likely prevent those who cling to polygons and sweeping orchestral themes from embarking on its adventure. But those who venture into Avadon with an open mind will be transported to one of the richest fantasy worlds to grace gaming in many years. They just don't make games like this anymore.
Avadon: The Black Fortress offers up some good old-fashioned role-playing, as long as you can handle the dated production values and a few design quirks.
Don't write this off as glorified shareware. Avadon has charm, as if it were an old gem unearthed. [Sept 2011, p.58]
Avadon's lore and setting are promising , but it's all ambition until the developers decide once and for all, if they want to stick to the hardcore or if they prefer to turn to a wider crowd. You can't win them all. [March 2012]
Avadon: The Black Fortress is a an exciting new adventure that delivers around 30+ hours of gameplay (depending on frequency) and tells a great story.
Fantastic old school atmospheric RPG...graphics are very good for an indie title. Story is amazing. My only complaint would be lack of music. I believe Jeff has made a personal decision to not include music which is fine as he is the creative force. However, with $99 royalty free licensing options available for great fantasy music I couldn't help but think that for me the game would have benefited for a score fitting for the fantastic story it tells.
As mentioned the graphics are good for an Indie game and certainly the best that Spiderweb has provided to date. The engine is stable and the game in general has few technical issues. I had a slight pause in windowed mode that i was able to trace to a a process and going full screen fixed it.
If you like old school rpgs like Bards Tale, Phantasie, Ultima, Might and Magic etc then you owe it to yourself to try this. It mixes what made those games great with what a lot of those games lacked, an engrossing story.
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PC
I would have given this game a 6.5. But rounded - it is still 7 :)
In any case - very nice implementation of the old-style RPG walkies. However, the developers should work more on the story (writing style of imperative priority), and depth, because so far the game does not keep me involved and submerged: combat is the same, characters do not really differ in their skills, trading system is shaky... This is when improved will become a fine example of a classical RPG. But NOT YET.
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PC
Avadon is a graphically unambitious title. The sound is unremarkable as well. But sound and graphics are not it's drawing points. This game attempts to create a rich world full intrigue in which you can have agency. At first, I thought this game was really special and would allow me to affect the game world; but this proved to only an illusion. Here was the first example that broke this illusion:
On the second main quest of the game, you are required to hunt down a specific beast. The game requires you to encounter the beast several times and fight it; only to have it slip away each time. Upon my first enounter, it ran away right away. I happened to have saved several neat items and was able to deplete it's health and force it to stay near my party. What happened? It showed no health, continued taking hits, but did not die.
The game gave me the appearance of: "If you are a skilled player, you can take this thing down here and now and get a uniquely different end to this quest/story" but delivered: "Nope, you can only do this quest in one fashion and one fashion only." This only got worse and more prevalent as I went along.
Spider Software, either make me an actual agent in your games or make it clear that I am a peon on a path. Do not lie with your mechanics and lazy programming.
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PC
ah, spiderweb games. i remember playing the shareware versions when i was a wee little kid and finding them so very addictive and rewarding. after buying avadon, i fired it up hoping for the same magical experience. but i was sorely disappointed. i stuck with it for around ~15 hours, but i couldn't get over all its flaws and just gave up. yes, the graphics aren't the prettiest, but that's not why you play spiderweb games. the real flaw, for me, was the execution; everything felt dumbed-down, including the combat mechanics and the spelled-out plot. i do applaud the developer for the inter-party dialogues and the side-quests that do flesh-out each character, ala mass effect, but i didn't enjoy that gameplay itself, which just made it painful to play through. in the end, i couldn't plow-through with nostalgia and sheer willpower alone; i didn't find it enjoyable and decided to stop playing.
maybe if this is your first time with a spiderweb game in which case you might really like it. but if you've played other games from the dev in the past, i'd suggest skipping this particular one.
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PC
Summary Avadon: The Black Fortress is the first chapter in a new, epic fantasy saga. You will serve the keep of Avadon, working as a spy and warrior to fight the enemies of your homeland. As a servant of the Black Fortress, your word is law. Experience an exciting fantasy role-playing adventure and battle a conspiracy to destroy your people. Ava...
Platforms:
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- PC
Initial Release Date: May 2, 2011
Developer:
- Spiderweb Software
Publisher: Spiderweb Software
Genres:
