Geneforge 2

Old-School RPG With a Science Fiction Twist

For more than a decade, Spiderweb Software has been quietly releasing indie RPGs and building an audience of enthusiastic fans for their games--while utterly ignored by and below the radar of the conventional game industry. Why, you may ask, have they been ignored? Because they don't have huge budgets or large teams; their graphics are oblique "2 1/2" D, like almost every RPG of the mid-90s, and they don't seem "sexy." And yet... They kick serious ass.

When you come down to it, RPGs are about story. And yes, about character advancement, and interesting ways of defeating enemies, and all that; but in the final analysis, you force through the often tedious moments of combat for the next epiphany, the next bit of story that makes you sit back in your chair. Spiderweb knows that, and they know how to shape a story far better than almost everyone operating at higher budgets. (OK, Bioware does a good job too :).

Geneforge 2 is an excellent example. The world is huge (and a whole lot easier to create a huge world on a budget when you don't have to texturemap everything in creation). The plot twists are many. There are many different factions, and you choose which to help. And there are dozens of potential endings, meaning that there's far more replay value here than in most RPGs.

Don't believe us that this is a great game? Give the demo a try. You have five full free hours of play. If five hours of play doesn't convince you, well, we'll eat our... hm, well the bandwidth cost of supplying you with the demo, anyway.

The Developer Says:

Geneforge 2 is a fantasy role-playing epic with a science fiction twist. In Geneforge 2, you explore a huge world, choose which side you will fight for, and make your own horde of completely obedient mutant monsters.

You are an apprentice Shaper. You are being given the power to create life and mold it to serve your own needs. The whole world fears and respects the Shapers. Your secrets are many, and your power is absolute.

If you need a servant, you have but to create it, and it will gladly die for you.

But when you and your teacher are sent on what seems to be a simple mission, things go horribly wrong. Monsters roam the countryside. Your allies turn on you. Your teacher disappears. And you find yourself in the middle of a conspiracy to use forbidden powers and overthrow Shaper rule.

Many factions want your help. All have their own rewards to offer. Will you stay loyal to your people? Or will you fight to remake the world?

Geneforge 2 has a huge and open storyline. You can join with any of several factions and reach dozens of different endings. Help the rebels, or fight them. Fight your enemies, or use stealth and diplomacy. When you finish the game, start over, join a different group, and experience a completely different game. No matter what you choose, Geneforge 2 offers an enormous adventure with plenty of replay value.

Reviews

"With great writing, a solid story and consistently good game play, the overall value of the game is hard to pass up"
   - RPGDot

"80% - A truly addictive roleplaying game."
   - PC Gamer