Avernum: Escape From the Pit is an amazing role-playing game. I never had the opportunity to play the original Exile trilogy, the Avernum trilogy, or its three sequels. This reboot is my first experience and I can finally see why so many people were drawn to this series of games.

The simplicity is its draw. Well, for me anyway. An easy to use interface with simple world design has allowed for a game with Elder Scrolls level amounts of detail. Now I don't consider this a drawback, but some will, the game is incredibly text heavy. To me, this is a scratch for an old nostalgia itch.

The graphics, while nothing to write home about, are good in their own right. They fill the niche that the game has created. You don't have thousands of character portraits, but you do have the ability to design your stats, abilties, skills, etc. to your specification. And if you just want to start they have classes. And if you really, really, want to start, the premade starting party is ready to go for a good, balanced game!

You can even use the editor and add spells, abilties, and whatnot without ruining your game which is a nice touch. I have only invested about nineteen hours so far but plan on investing many, many more for the quest system is awesome. From the main story (which has several trees of completion), to the side quests, and job boards, there is a ton of stuff to do.

There are fun, random encounters and just getting experience and collecting spells is enjoyable. Speaking of spells, the system for learning and leveling spells is very reminiscent of AD&D in that one can only learn so much from a teacher. One must discover the spells "out in the wild" or from Arcane Altars if they wish to improve beyond the basics!

There are plenty of items from swords and spears to magic scrolls and wands to the mundane like pipes and towels.

If you love RPGs you love this game. If your older and grew up on AD&D I think this game will suck you in! I know for me it did because I bought all three and its "sister" games, the Avadon series.

I give this game a 10/10. I have yet to find even minor quibbles to gripe over because the game even comes with a wonderful built-in instruction guide that literally has everything about the game you need answered!

Well, I am only two hours into Spiderweb Software's new game, "The Queen's Wish: The Conqueror" and I love it. Jeff Vogel took all the best parts from Avernum, Avadon, and the other series, refined them and gave us this new game.

The interface, while still keeping in line with what we know from the other games, has been greatly improved. It's easier to manipulate, streamlined, and looks great too. The graphics are still classic Spiderweb style, but they have been improved upon. There is more detail in the portraits, a tad more customization, a solid effort!

The sound effects and music are top notch. They fit the world that has been crafted for us and give a good ambience. The combat mechanics are built off of the old games and function relatively the same. However, there have been a minor adjustment or two.

I love the new features such as upgrading your forts and bases of operation. That's a really cool feature and a big draw for me! I can see myself investing a lot of time into this game. The storyline, from what I know so far, is a good one. I only have a few scant hours invested into the game so I am very excited to see where it leads. But already there have been some nice moral dilemmas presented to the player.

All in all the wait was certainly worth it. I am very glad and excited to finally be able to play. If Jeff Vogel does indeed make this a three part series, I can truly see it rivaling his other big series! Avernum and Avadon may be in trouble, ha!

If you like old school RPGs, don't mind reading and a fair amount of brain work, this game is for you. I say to definitely give it a go!

EDIT: From the negative reviews I've read, I think people are making a big mistake! There are some legitimate criticisms - I understand those. However, I think too many people were expecting the game to be exactly like Avernum and are approaching it the same exact way, therefore getting very disappointed.

I suggest trying to look at it as its own entity, give it another shot, and see if your mind changes. If not - so be it. Happy gaming regardless!