GB Feature: Avadon: The Black Fortress Review

If you’ve been contemplating a purchase of Spiderweb’s Avadon: The Black Fortress, head over to our four-page review for a better understanding of the new franchise’s setting, character system, follower system, and, of course, just how well the game plays.

Protecting the players from consequences is a matter of accessibility, and the need for greater accessibility is a theme throughout this game. Where Avernum had expansive character creation, where you chose class, gender, portraits and stats for each of your party members, which you were stuck with throughout the game, Avadon has you pick one of four characters a male blademaster, male shadowwalker, female druid or female sorceress who you can name but not change in any other way.

Character creation is often a big part of the fun for RPG gamers, and the forced choice of gender and appearance won’t sit easy with everyone, but it isn’t problematic by definition. Often it is a good idea to allow a player to jump right into the story and then familiarize himself with the options in the character system later. That said, the Avadon system is a really simple one, and not one that needs that kind of protection.

There are four basic attributes, the function of each is described clearly and each has use almost exclusively for a specific character and build. As mentioned, there are four classes in the game, each starting with five basic skills. Three of these move into development branches: battle, power and utility. The other two are independent but often important skills, including the only non-combat skills, which are lockpicking skills available only to sorceresses and shadowwalkers.