Geneforge 3

Note -- My playtime is roughly 30 hours extended due to time I had the game idle. In truth the game took me approximately 40-50 hours to complete. This is a fun little RPG that I think doesn't hit quite the same highs as the first two games. Geneforge 1 is one of the best RPGs in terms of player choice and exploration. You really DO feel like you are choosing whatever path you want, and the world is open to you completely. Geneforge 2 strikes a wonderful balance between the exploration of the first and the strong guiding story elements of other cRPGs. This game cuts a lot of the exploration from the first two games out. This game comes with a lot of improvements, so those should be noted as well. There is an interesting new item enhancement and crafting system which leaves you to discover recipes throughout the world and encourages discovery within the zones provided. The new multi-zone option allows for cool areas like the Madness Mire, where the power supply to difficult creatures located above-ground can be cut by going below the earth. Environments are varied, though cut from the same cloth as the past two games. I was particularly impressed with the Isle of Spears' ability to feel harsh and forboding from a gameplay sense, not just from a story perspective, and I really felt like I was fighting a war of attrition. Party formations and bartering did feel more clunky, but other UI elements (especially the quick-item toolbar) were indeed welcome. What gameplay improves, however, the story does not. For better or worse, this game does not hit the same marks as the first two games. Characters feel more forced here and story beats are the same as is found in other RPG series. Almost every character which is directly affected by usage of the canisters feels well written; without the canisters as a crutch for depth, many of the others fall flat. My favorite character was Khyryk due to my sympathy with his position on the conflict. I wish he had been a third faction, but alas. The other factions simply were too black-and-white for my tastes; if you've played the other two, think Shapers vs. Takers and take out the middle-ground. I walked into the game wanting to be a radical Shaper who sympathizes with the suffering of the Serviles, and was forced to come out a battle hardened Shaper loyalist supreme. When I can notice these things (and I noticed it right away), I shift my expectations to meet the game. This game is an excellent cRPG, and I can recognize that. However, it is thus far my least favorite Geneforge due to my love for exploration and discovery in video games, both things that this game unfortunately lacks. Perhaps you aren't like me, and this will be your favorite of the series thus far. I hope this review provides you with the ability to consider that for yourself.

Ya

Death to the Shapers

Geneforge 3 is the same as Geneforge 1 and 2, nothing new. Good thing about these games that if you want to try out another class, you can grab next game in Geneforge saga, and try it out there - no need to replay the game you already finished.