Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Blades of Avernum welcomes you with classic turn-based combat and deep character customization that veteran CRPG fans will feel right at home with. You begin by assembling a party of four heroes, choosing from a variety of races, classes, and backgrounds that directly influence skill development and in-battle tactics. Whether you prefer a balanced team or an all-out offense squad, the game’s flexible system ensures your choices feel meaningful from the first skirmish to the final boss fight.

The four distinct scenarios—The Valley of Dying, A Small Rebellion, The Za-Khazi Run, and Diplomacy With the Dead—each provide unique objectives and pacing. In The Valley of Dying, exploration and plague investigation force careful resource management; A Small Rebellion demands delicate dialogue and moral choices; The Za-Khazi Run becomes a race against time on treacherous waters; and Diplomacy With the Dead weaves political intrigue into vampire-hunting action. This variety keeps the gameplay loop fresh and encourages multiple playthroughs.

Dungeon crawling remains at the heart of Blades of Avernum. Mapping out underground passages, locating hidden treasures, and deciphering cryptic NPC hints create a tangible sense of discovery. Random encounters with goblins, cultists, and other Avernum denizens test both your tactical acumen and preparedness. With each new level and skill point gained, you’ll feel your party grow ever more powerful—provided you’ve chosen wisely and managed your resources effectively.

Graphics

Visually, Blades of Avernum stays faithful to its 2D roots, delivering pixel-art environments that evoke nostalgia for early 90s role-playing games. The overworld maps are hand-drawn with moody color palettes, giving dungeons, forests, and towns a distinctive atmosphere. While the visuals aren’t flashy by modern standards, they suit the game’s tone—simple, focused, and built around imagination rather than flashy effects.

Character and monster sprites are small but detailed, with clear animations for attacks, spellcasting, and movement. Battle screens use a classic grid-based layout, making it easy to track positioning and effects. Spell and ability animations are straightforward—a fireball lights up the screen in crimson, healing spells glow green—but they land with satisfying impact. Occasional background music and ambient sounds add immersion without overwhelming the ears.

One of the most appealing aspects of Blades of Avernum’s graphics is its consistency. From the slick stone floors of pirate hideouts to the muddy banks of the Za-Khazi River, each area has a coherent design approach that reinforces the setting. If you appreciate hand-crafted pixel art and can look past the lack of modern shading or 3D models, the visuals will charm you with their old-school sincerity.

Story

The narrative in Blades of Avernum unfolds differently depending on which of the four scenarios you choose. In The Valley of Dying, you’re tasked with solving a magical plague’s origins, blending investigative gameplay with moral dilemmas—will you save lives or harness the plague for power? A Small Rebellion thrusts you into the heart of political conflict: will you align with freedom fighters seeking to overthrow a tyrannical empire or uphold the laws that keep order?

The Za-Khazi Run introduces a tense, time-sensitive storyline. Navigating a perilous river, you must escort allies and evade enemies before a looming deadline, making every decision critical. Diplomacy With the Dead sends your party to aid a vulnerable city besieged by a vampire lord, mixing negotiation, stealth, and combat. Each scenario features memorable NPCs, branching dialogue paths, and consequences that resonate long after you’ve reached your next destination.

Although the overarching plot arcs are more modular than a single, linear epic, they share thematic threads—exile, survival, and the struggle between freedom and tyranny. Side quests pepper the main narrative, offering chances to recruit unusual companions or hunt down hidden artifacts. Veteran Avernum players will appreciate callbacks to previous titles, while newcomers can dive right into the fractured underground world without prior knowledge.

Overall Experience

Blades of Avernum captures the essence of classic RPGs with meaningful choices, strategic combat, and a world ripe for exploration. It doesn’t hold your hand: you’ll need to map caverns, manage supplies, and experiment with party builds. For players who relish low-key challenge and deep role-playing, this is a welcome return to form. The branching scenarios and multiple endings provide substantial replay value that can keep you engrossed for dozens of hours.

The audio design—simple MIDI tracks and restrained sound effects—fits the retro aesthetic, though some players may miss more dynamic orchestration. However, the strong writing, clever quests, and atmosphere more than compensate, turning every new encounter into a narrative puzzle or tactical showdown. Loading times are minimal, and the interface, while dated, remains intuitive with clear menus for inventory, skills, and quest logs.

Ultimately, Blades of Avernum may not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge graphics or fast-paced action. But if you’re drawn to thoughtful turn-based combat, intricate story branches, and the freedom to carve your own path through a subterranean realm, this game delivers an old-school adventure with modern polish. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted indie RPG design and is a worthy addition to any role-playing enthusiast’s library.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10