Hit dinosaurs! And bears! And sabertooth tigers! And thin air! Lots of thin air because that's where the best food is! Eat a full refrigerator! No, the actual refrigerator.. Then get a bigger hammer to hit things! Then jump! And fall to your death! And then fall to your death again! Then after much falling and hitting let your head fall and hit the table because you are a wuss, and wusses that use normal difficulty don't get to play the last level! The game will grow hair on your chest and make you want to hit things. It stood at the beginning of many a gamer's life well played. Buy it. Also, there was a similar game without the "2" in it's name, or something? That one was also kind of nice I think..
Now this is a deal you don't see every day. Geneforge is one of the most original RPG series I know. The setting? A fictional world ruled by the Shapers. A caste of mages able to create life from the world's "essence", a secret they guard jealously. So jealously that their rule becomes somewhat paranoid and despotic, something that ordinary people don't like and start rebelling. The appeal? Shaping. The ability to create various creatures that fight along your side. Some you might like, so you will keep them for the whole game. Some you might not, so you will discard them in favor of more powerful ones. Don't like shaping? Choose from several other character classes with various expertise in battle or magic. Each class has a different play style with varying levels of difficulty. The RPG? Each class can improve a set of skills, with each class being able to improve their favourite skills easier than a different class - a Shaper needs much less skill points for shaping skills than, say a Sorceress. But the Sorceress can in turn learn magic easier. Also, your creations gain experience with you and you can develop their skills if you feel like it. The story? During the course of the pentalogy, you will live the whole story of the rebellion, from the cause, through the start to the ultimate conclusion. Each story is non linear, there are anywhere between 3 to 5 factions you can join in each game and each has their own philosophy. Each is in a morally gray area, some are better, some worse, but there is no absolute good or evil. The graphics? Look at the pretty pictures:) The graphic style is isometric, ranging from the dated engine of Geneforge 1 to the very smooth and polished feel of G5. You won't find fancy 3d Mass Effect effects or a beautiful art style like in Baldur's Gate, but the art style is somewhat unique and won't insult. The biggest downside is the presence of ever recycled creature and item models from other Spiderweb games. The sound? Not much beyond some general ambience and character grunts. But the little sound the game has is presented well. The conclusion? A very original series, somewhat lacking in presentation in comparison to modern titles. A price paid because of the size of the Spiderweb team - exactly one man:) But underneath the simplistic presentation there is a vast world with unique lore and an epic story. Definitely a must for any oldschool RPG player, definitely a recommendation for any other RPG lovers.
