I'm probably not the only one that already has Avernum 4-6 from one of the many indie bundles, as well as Geneforge 1-5 and Avadon: The Black Fortress. GOG is the only place outside the developer's website that I've seen sell Avernum 1-3. If I understand correctly, Avernum Escape From the Pit is a remake of Avernum 1 in the newer game engine, and remakes for 2-3 are planned or in progress.

Since I already have half the games in the sale bundle, is it worth picking up for Avernum 1-3 or wait for the remakes? I'm patient, it won't kill me to wait since I have plenty of games. I haven't even played the Geneforge games yet. I have never heard of the Eschalon games in the bundle. They do look interesting though, but I can just grab those two for less.

The difficulty is a lot more unforgiving in the original Avernum's, but the world feels a lot more open and exploratory. I'll be honest when I say that I like the style of the originals better than the hand drawn for ever tiny inch of 4-6 (since it compresses the gameworld and makes everything seem... tiny).

Most of the games I've bought from gog I already own. I've picked up some because it means I don't have to swap dvds; some because of cloud backup, and some because ... what the hell, it's only a few bucks and it helps support the developer.

it boils down to: do you have the money to spare.

I haven't played Avenum: Escape From the Pit, so I don't know for sure how it compares to Avernum 1, but I've heard there are some pretty major changes. A different levelling / skill system, interface, and some new content. So part of your decision might be based on how much you've enjoyed the older Spiderweb games (for you, that means the first few Geneforge games) versus the newer ones (Avernum 4-6, Avadon). Avernum 1-3 are older than all of those, but they have some excellent writing and fascinating game world. Of the newer Avernum games, I've only played 4, but I much preferred 1-3 to that game. I hear 5 and 6 are better than 4 though.

So, they're worth it if you don't mind an older, clunkier interface, but if you prefer the way the more recent games have been going you could just wait. Make sure you play either the originals or the remakes at some point though, because they have some really excellent storytelling and worldbuilding.

Look out, Zombie thread! I posted this about 2 months ago when GOG had them on sale as a bundle. I didn't buy it then, but it doesn't matter anymore as I now own them thanks to the Humble Weekly Spiderweb Bundle.

I AKSED YOU A QUESTION?

Cant believe I missed out on the Spiderweb Humble Bundle. That really sucked. As for Avernum 1-3, I definitely think they are worth owning as I certainly enjoyed all 3 of them and would definitely recommend them to people that enjoy Spiderweb games. Besides, its always good to give these kinds of smaller developers some money. I already owned all of Spiderweb's games but I purchased them again so I could have them on GOG. Would have loved to have them on my Steam account as well. Missing that Humble Bundle....well, again, that just really sucked.

You did the right thing!

The graphics for 1-3 is so awful it is unplayable. I bought the bundle, so I know.

It also still have the clunky Exile click system, which is pretty much the same but works much smoother in geneforge etc.

I disagree with you there.

And I agree with you. While dated they serve their purpose. Graphics won't make or break a game (just look at nethack or dwarf fortress) but done right, they can improve a game. Game mechanics, controlls, story and functionality of the UI are far more important. Graphics should never come at their expense. Unfortunately most big companies graphics, animation and cinematics are everything and are way too often used to camoflace shallow game.

Pardon the necro here but...

I could not really gather from this thread if Escape from the Pit basically replaces Avernum 1 at this point. In other words, is it the exact same story you are playing through? For me personally, if it is that would probably be the biggest reason to skip ahead to Escape from the Pit rather than basically repeat playing Avernum 1 with improvements made to it UI-wise, etc.

On the other hand, if there is truly merit to playing the first Avernum game and later Escape from the pit I'd like to understand how that is, on what basis, etc.

Lastly, knowing that all of the first 3 Avernum games are getting the remake treatment if the story in 4 through 6 depends on having played 1 through 3 then for somebody not wanting to wait years for the remakes would it make sense to play the games like this?

Escape from the Pit
Avernum 2 - 6

Or maybe even Escape from the Pit and wait for the Avernum 2 remake and then play 3 - 6?

Actually, one more possibility comes to mind... would it be okay to play Escape from the pit and then jump to Avernum 4 and continue on to 5 and 6 and then play the other two Avernum remakes as they release or would that totally screw up progression of a story in them?

I hope I expressed my question well enough here.

My understanding is that it is the same story, but that the mechanics have been changed. There is apparently some new content, however. But I haven't played Escape From the Pit, I've only played Avernum 1.

The games are designed so that you do not need prior knowledge in order to play them. If you start with Avernum 2 instead of Avernum 1, for example, you're told the basics of what happened in the first game, and you embark on an entirely new adventure with a new party. So you really could do things in whatever order you wanted. That said, there are characters, locations, and other references that will be familiar to you if you've played the games in order, which can be nice. I always recommend playing the games in order, but it's not as critical here as it is for some other series. Going back to play an earlier game would be like learning more about a certain point in Avernum history.

Having said that, if you start with Escape From the Pit, which is the most recently-made Avernum game, and then move to Avernum 2, you will immediately notice how much older Avernum 2 looks and feels. That may or may not be a problem for you. If you want to play through such that each game gets more modern as you go, you might want to do 1-6 and then Escape From the PIt. Alternatively, you could do 4-6 and then start on the remakes of 1-3, which would avoid the very old entries entirely. But Spiderweb are only just now starting on the remake of Avernum 2, so it will be a while before all three remakes are done.

My opinion is that Avernum 1-3 are still great, and you would not regret playing them now rather than waiting for the remakes. But you can make your own decision about it; fire one up and see if it feels too old-school and clunky for you.

Thanks very much for your detailed reply. That answers my question pretty well. I think I may give the first one a shot and see how I like it and go from there. I would like do them in order. I tend to prefer that too with any game series.

Thanks again.

As a complement of information, Avernum 1 UI could be tedious, but the remake just break major gameplay elements through pointless dumbing down. The worse is from far the pointless goal quests cursors on global map destroying largely the exploration and discovery. Secrets and tricks design mostly all destroyed by the new toolset rather weak on this aspect. Sad.

EDIT: And this comment isn't a robotic reaction against more modern more streamlined gameplay. I'm fine with Avadon 1, but Avernum 1 remake is an already working gameplay pointlessly destroyed.

EDIT: Dam I gad forgotten Avernum 1 had already introduced the pointless dumbing down of party of 4 from party of 6 like in Exile 1. Lol.

I should have mentioned this before, but for any new readers who are deciding which game to start with: Spiderweb still offers big, free demos of all their games on their website. So that's a good way to get a sense for which game you will like.

For example, Avernum 1 demo is available here:

http://www.avernum.com/avernumold/index.html