Avernum 3: Ruined World

Avernum 3: Ruined World for PC and iOS is the third installment in a series of independent, turn-based RPGs conveyed in a retro style and developed by Spiderweb Software. Those escaping from the underground prison known as Avernum encounter an outside world that is marred by armies of monsters destroying towns and killing the inhabitants. The characters' goal is to stop the invasion and save the world they had dreamed of. After Avernum 3 (2002), the game is another refreshed version of Exile III: Ruined World (1996) – a title produced by the same studio. Mechanics-wise, the game is similar to its predecessors – Avernum 3: Ruined World is an isometric RPG offering minimalistic graphics and a complex character development system.

Plot

The game is set in a fantasy world ruled by the ruthless Empire. Each expression of disobedience results here in getting imprisoned in the underground Avernum – a gloomy place filled with monsters and torn apart by internal wars. In the first installment of the franchise, a group of characters trapped in Avernum manages to assasinate the despotic emperor Hawthorne. The second part of the series places the characters in front of the consequences of that act, embodied by a huge army of the Empire sent to Avernum in order to neutralize those who would not conform. Ultimately, the inhabitants of Avernum manage to defeat the forces of the Empire in the undergrounds, which is followed by finding a way to the surface. This third installment presents a story of an escape from the underground prison.

The inhabitants of Avernum have not seen the outside world for years, so they cautiously send a few scouts with a mission to discover what is waiting on the surface. Unfortunately, the team goes missing and the second group of volunteers is sent – this is the group controlled by the player. Having reached the outside world, the group encounters a place that is beautiful, but also ravaged by monsters, as well as plagues, which are destroying the Empire each day. This time, after years of fighting, those escaping from Avernum have to work together with representatives of the evil Empire in order to put an end to the threat. The player's goal is to bring both the sides together and ultimately deal with the threat posed by the monsters.

Several races can be encountered in the game world. Humans are the dominant race, but on their path (or even within one's team), the player encounters the cat-like Nephilim, a race of reptiles known as Slithzerikai, or the Vahnatai – those resemble a more archetypal type of aliens.

Being familiar with the two previous installments of the franchise is not required to have a satisfying experience, but being acquainted with the complex plot and numerous characters from the previous installments will surely enrich one's playthrough.

Mechanics

Mechanics-wise, Avernum 3: Ruined World for PC and iOS is an old-school RPG played from an isometric view and featuring a turn-based combat system. The player creates a team of four characters and develops their skills to one's liking using experience points gained while adventuring. The game offers over 60 spells, combat specialties and character traits. Hundreds of artifacts and items found along the way will also affect the capabilities of the player-controlled characters. The game contains over 150 towns and dungeons, which can be improved or destroyed depending on the player's actions and attacks of the monsters. A lot of freedom is given to the player in terms of shaping the characters, as they can become both true heroes that save the world and ordinary merchants; a mercenary that completes random assignments can constitute another alternative here. Apart from the main story, Avernum 3: Ruined World offers over a hundred extensive side-quests.

Technical aspects

The game constitutes a refreshed version of Avernum 3 (2002), enriched with high-resolution settings; Avernum 3 was a refreshed take on Exile III: Ruined World. Apart from the visuals, improvements were introduced into few elements of the game – mainly the character creation and development systems, and the AI of the adversaries. Avernum 3; Ruined World comes with a minimalistic graphic style patterned after isometric RPGs from the last century.

Misc.

The visuals in the entire Avernum series are diversified by hilarious engravings created by Phil Foglio – an American cartoonist popular for his science-fiction and fantasy works. The engravings mainly illustrate the effects of certain skills.

Last updated on October 3, 2017