Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Avernum V offers a deep, old-school role-playing experience centered on a party of four heroes. Character creation is robust, allowing you to choose from multiple races, classes, skills, and traits. Whether you specialize in sword-and-shield fighters, nimble rogues, or powerful spellcasters, every choice affects your approach to combat and interaction with the subterranean world.

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Exploration is at the heart of the game. The vast underground realm of Avernum is packed with winding caverns, hidden tunnels, and ancient ruins. Navigation is primarily mouse-driven, though optional hotkeys keep veteran RPG enthusiasts happy. You’ll chart your own maps as you go, uncovering secret passages and stumbling upon side quests that enrich the main storyline.

Combat unfolds in a classic turn-based system where each character has action points to spend on movement, attacks, and spellcasting. Careful positioning and resource management are crucial; melee fighters must close the gap while archers and mages rain damage from afar. The tactical depth is impressive, with elemental resistances, status effects, and a wide array of spells ensuring no two battles feel exactly the same.

Graphics

Avernum V embraces a retro isometric art style reminiscent of 1990s RPGs, which lends it a nostalgic charm. Environments are painted with a subdued palette—grays and browns dominate the caves, but occasional pools of lava or bioluminescent fungi add vibrant splashes of color. The visual design emphasizes clarity over flash, making it easy to distinguish interactable objects and enemy placements.

Character sprites and animations are simple yet effective. You’ll see your party swing swords, dodge arrows, and cast spells with clear, readable frames. While not as polished as modern AAA titles, the visuals serve the game’s focus on deep mechanics and storytelling rather than graphical fidelity. Portrait artwork during dialogues adds personality, helping distinguish friendly NPCs from hostile creatures.

The user interface is functional and straightforward. Inventory screens, skill menus, and map displays all follow a consistent layout that feels intuitive once you learn the shortcuts. The minimalistic HUD keeps the screen uncluttered, though newcomers might find the font sizes and button icons a touch small at first. Thankfully, the developers include adjustable UI scales to keep text and menus legible on large monitors.

Story

The narrative kicks off with a bold assassination attempt on the Empress of the surface Empire. Rumors point to Dorikas, a rebel leader who has vanished into the depths of Avernum. Your party of four is dispatched to unravel this conspiracy and determine whether Dorikas acted alone or is a pawn in a larger scheme.

As you delve deeper into the labyrinthine caverns, the plot thickens with political intrigue, ancient secrets, and moral quandaries. You’ll meet exiled outcasts, savage beastmen, and factions vying for power in the dark. Side quests flesh out the world’s history—helping a scarred miner reclaim his home or negotiating peace between rival subterranean clans.

Dialogue choices can influence alliances and shape your reputation underground. Though Avernum V follows a largely linear narrative backbone, branching conversations and multiple ways to approach key objectives give the story replay value. Unraveling the mystery of the Empress’s would-be assassin and confronting Dorikas makes for a compelling, slow-burn thriller.

Overall Experience

Avernum V stands out as a heavyweight for fans of classic, turn-based isometric RPGs. Its blend of strategic combat, open-ended exploration, and intricate storytelling delivers dozens of hours of gameplay. The difficulty curve is steep in places, rewarding careful planning and thorough exploration rather than button-mashing action.

Technical performance is rock-solid on modern hardware, with minimal system requirements and near-instant load times. The soundtrack is understated, featuring ambient tracks that heighten tension in vast caverns or provide quiet relief in hidden sanctuaries. While some may find the graphics dated, they contribute to the game’s old-school atmosphere.

In the end, Avernum V is a richly layered RPG that demands patience and rewards curiosity. It may not hold your hand, but for players seeking a thoughtful journey through political intrigue and subterranean wonders, it’s a memorable expedition. If you cherish deep character customization, challenging combat, and a story of rebellion and redemption, Avernum V delivers on all fronts.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10