Geneforge

"I guess they DO still make 'em like this..."

I'm not much of a PC gamer. It's not that the games on the PC aren't good, but I don't really feel like buying a new graphics card every 3 seconds to play the latest games. New games that my aging PC can play are getting fewer and fewer all the time, and really GREAT games that my aging PC can play are even rarer. Geneforge is one of these rare gems.

Gameplay: 9/10

The game plays like your typical 90's RPG. You click to move, click to interact with stuff, it's reminiscent of Ultimas VII and VIII. The map is made up of 77 (I think, somewhere around there) areas, and each area has some tasks you'll need to do to clear it. NPCs are also around to give you quests. The game plays different depending on who you make friends with (if anybody), and so replay value is extremely high.

Control: 10/10

Point and click, and the pathfinding is great. I have NO trouble handling my party, and interacting with stuff is a breeze.

Music: 5/10

Sadly, there is no music (except for the opening theme.) The sounds are all atmospheric, you've got the sounds of kids playing in towns, the sound of animals in the wilderness. It gives off a decent atmosphere, but it still feels like something's missing without even an occasional tune.

Storyline: 10/10

The story revolves around Shapers, basically wizards with the power to create life. You start off as an apprentice shaper, shipwrecked on an island. Your quest to escape leads you through a deep, immersive story that I can't tell you about without spoiling stuff. Just play the game.

Graphics: 8/10

Old school, and that's not a bad thing. They're 2D isometric (Again, they remind me of Ultima VIII), but they're detailed and well animated enough to be pleasing to look at.

r8ing: Fantastic.

You've got no excuse for not trying it, since there's a free downloadable demo floating around out there. You can get the entire Geneforge Trilogy for $55, which is cheaper than some new games out today, and it's well worth it.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/15/06