Geneforge 1 - Mutagen

I love the Geneforge series and I'm so glad they decided to modernize the first game. I got hooked on the demos when I was young - something about the branching story and the magic of shaping creatures just enthralls me. 80 hours later, I have explored the world of Geneforge 1 and finished all achievements. If you're on the fence about trying a Spiderweb Software RPG, I recommend giving this a try!

What would happen if Mary Shelley and Jules Verne had a grand-grandson who was an old-school C-programmer with a knack for game development? This might as well be Jeff Vogel who has been running Spiderweb Software game studio for some 30 odd years. Geneforge is equal parts sci-fantasy book and tactical CRPG. If you like both those art forms and don't mind a somewhat retro look in a game (though Geneforge Mutagen looks very pretty if you can look past its retro roots), you don't want to miss this title. In fact, all series by this studio are amazing in this regard - just be careful to not buy older versions of the games, as those definitely show their age. I appreciate that they are still listed here, but for anyone not performing game archeology, there's no reason to reach for those older titles when much prettier modernized remakes are available. They all go on discounts periodically, so the bang-for-the-buck is truly stupendous - if reading long, original, high quality fantasy stories in exploration-driven tactical RPG game form is your bang, that is. Make no mistake, these aren't VNs, they are pure bred RPGs, but the amount of story content dwarfs even some long VNs, especially considering that most of these series run 3 titles long, and one, Avernum runs 6! (Avernum remakes are up to 4 at this point, but I'm sure we'll get all of them in due time). Now excuse me, I have to read just one more page of this game before bed... I mean, I need to have one more fight in this book... oh chucks.

Good remaster. Being a fairly big cRPG done mostly by one guy means it's generally lackluster in all non-essential areas. However: 1) The gameplay has a unique twist, revolving around creating summons for battle, with different skills and abilities (unless you are one of those weirdos who play the agent class). 2) ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ a cRPG with an original and well developed setting that isn't derivative fantasy/sci-fi/post-apocalypse. Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming. Those two factors elevate what is otherwise a quaint game into something worth your time,

The Geneforge series contains some of the most original and interesting worldbuilding in the crpg space. I hope people don't get put off from and its simpler graphics and give this series a chance because it is a fantastic series. I never played much of the originals, but from what I understand the changes here are considered improvements. The story is pretty straightforward but it is interesting. I will say the inventory management is tedious. But its something worth overcoming to experience the game. There are multiple solutions to challenges and quests, multiple factions to align with. The story is full of moral ambiguity, and the world contains morals completely align to most fantasy found in video games. I also think gamers should just support the work of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. He has bringing us CRPGs for decades now, and the work that has gone into each game with so little resources but so much passion and soul and such great outcome is astounding.

It's not a very good game. The story isn't bad, but everything else leaves a lot to be desired. The graphics and user interface are weak. Progression is slow, and the back-and-forth running is boring, which is not helped by the fact that some levels are designed like mazes. A significant portion of the game revolves around exploration and combat, and character development would add a lot to it, but level-ups are rare, there are few skill points, and even those have a fixed allocation. For example, the mechanics (lock picking) and leadership (diplomacy) skills are important, and for the first 6-8 levels, I could only really develop those. This makes it not very varied. As a Shaper, I'm using the same creatures since the start of the game, the same way in every fight. It says a lot about the game that only 15% of players have earned the faction joining achievement (which is perhaps a third or half of the game), meaning the vast majority of players quit before this point. I would definitely not recommend it at full price...

Tedious inventory management and repetitive encounters due to a crude ruleset, but the setting, the worldbuilding, the story, its moral ambiguity, and the writing are honestly surprisingly interesting and original for a one man game. Just make sure you have a playlist to be played in background since the game has no music at all

I first played Geneforge 1 in the late 00's. I remember being completely entranced by the universe that Spiderweb had created. More than fifteen years later the world of the Shapers is still one of the most unique settings I've encountered. I have enjoyed the entire series numerous times and this remaster is wonderful. I am very much excited for the rest of them. The story is incredible and the gameplay is brought up to Spiderweb's current standard. I would highly recommend the series to any lovers of fantasy.

A unique take on magic with strong writing and story. If you ask me, a classic of turn-based strategy RPGs and a great game. I am glad I can have the chance to play through it again and that Spiderweb is still able to do what they do. In the quiet, extensive, and well crafted level building, writing, and mechanics there is a depth of beauty and art. If you have not played a Spiderweb software game, this is an excellent place to start. Not only does this title have a tremendous amount of depth, it is also a ton of fun! If you are familiar with the series, this is a straightforward and tasteful modernization with significant replay value and an affecting experience.

I've played the original twice, and the remake once, and its very close to my ultimate concept of perfect RPG on the fantasy side (Fallout is the best overall, but not fantasy). It's innovative use of the party system, the spells, the monsters you control, the use of "choice matters", the different factions, the politics, the overall story, the correct balance between going everywhere and guiding the player, it's all here. It's a real great RPG and I can't recommend it enough.

Marvelous writing, it really feels like a good book. Has some downsides, like I feel since all the areas in the game are square the devs wanted to fill them all in which is sometimes unnecessary. The graphics are, of course, not astonishing, too. But it was a blast and a great story.