[Macworld]

Post your comments for Review: Geneforge 5: Overthrow here

[rampancy]

I'm sorry, but this review really wasn't fair to the game at all, and is plagued with several inaccuracies.
1) "Geneforge 5 allows you to play as part of the rebellion or an ally of the Shapers."
- No, actually. there are five factions you can side with during the game. This is even mentioned on Spiderweb's page for GF5.
2) "Of course, holding so much loot will encumber you in combat, so you also have to choose what loot you grab carefully."
- Wrong. You are only encumbered in combat by items you equip on your character. You are not encumbered by your loot in your backpack.
3) "With six classes..."
- Wrong. You can play the six Rebel classes plus the three Shaper classes for a total of nine classes.
What also disappoints me is that the key facet of this game - the deep, involved storyline and the plot-driven action - seems to have been the source of the reviewer's complaints. This game isn't a quick hack-and-slash like Diablo, nor is it a graphical smorgasboard like The Witcher or even Neverwinter Nights 2...but it's not supposed to be like any of those games. It's supposed to be stuffed with side quests and characters for you to interact with; it almost sounds as if the reviewer was complaining that the game gave him too much content to play through! I thought that game critics were complaining that most new titles delivered too much sizzle, but not enough substance.
Finally, the reviewer doesn't even mention the moral ambiguity which pervades the plot and the world into which the player is dropped...the moral ambiguity which Spiderweb is known for in their other games. Each of the principal characters have their own motivations for their actions, for better or for worse, and even some of the more seemingly morally monstrous factions, and characters may have, below their surface, noble intentions. That's what makes these characters relatable - they all try to find some justification for what they're doing; some of them are even aware of what price they're paying in the process.
I agree that this is a niche game, but the fact that this game runs on modest hardware alone makes it worthy of recommendation. The game is both appealing to younger and older "hard core" players, to boot. I generally like Macworld's game reviews, but I feel this was especially poorly written.

[ChrisHolt]

Re: Rampancy
Thanks for the comments. I corrected the number of classes listed and I clarified my comment about "loot" and inventory.
As noted in the above review, I found Geneforge has a deep and complex story. But in my opinion as a reviewer, the story wasn't gripping, accessible to new players, or populated with memorable characters. Reasonable minds can differ on the matter.
To your point about Geneforge 5's graphical requirements, in our review process we look at a number of factors when deciding to recommend a game. Story, gameplay, graphics, sound, and originality are all taken into account. Price and graphical requirements are considered as well, but just because a game is cheap and runs on modest hardware does not make it worthy of recommendation. In this case, other factors weighed against giving Geneforge a higher rating.
Thanks for your comments and opinions.
-Chris

[Thx1138]

Geneforge 5 gives the player the puzzles and path choices that have been rare throughout the industry since 3D graphics became the norm. The game is best played without the killing everything on sight, but by using the leadership and stealth skills. G5 compensates you for the loss of loot and experience with item drops and bonuses that can only be received that way. The same fireball being seen 1000 times thing is really truer of the standard fare out there today than of G5.

I agree that it's hard to find a well informed, responsible review anywhere these days; and not just because of the time it takes to do so -- in the case of G5, a week would be needed. Hasty reviews of shareware that don't properly represent the product are everywhere and some have a plain-to-see bias favoring producers that have a working relationship with the reviewing company. So I say...

Forget the review and try the software. That's what shareware is all about.

[cwingrav]

The Geneforge series is an excellent game and misunderstood by the review. The beauty of the game is the story lines, the simple interaction and tricks, traps and decisions you must make as you make your choices in the world. Playing the game is more like reading a great book; unfamiliar to those seeking blood, gore and graphics to convey a story. Geneforge is a game I find hard to stop exploring and, unlike most games, I am sad when I win because I know I have to wait for the next installment (or start again with a new character along a different path).
I would give the game a 4.5 out of 5, only due to the limited combat timing system that makes it hard to set up lines of defense with melee creations. This is one of the most fun games to experience for those that enjoy the genre.