Avernum: Escape from the Pit

About Avernum: Escape from the Pit

Avernum: Escape from the Pit is a top-down tactical RPG by Spiderweb Software, released in 2011. It drops you into a large subterranean world where you play a banished exile fighting for survival against monsters and a tyrannical empire. The game blends classic turn-based combat with deep character customization, letting you master 50+ spells and battle disciplines. Set across 80+ towns and dungeons, it offers open-ended quests and a choice-driven story where you can side with rebels, seek revenge, or carve your own path. It’s a PC/mac/iOS/Android title aimed at players who like grinding stats, managing inventory, and figuring out dense fantasy lore.

Gameplay

Combat is grid-based and methodical. You control a small party, using turn-based actions to attack, cast spells, or trigger environmental traps. Each battle requires balancing mana, weapon durability, and positioning. Spells range from fireballs to debuffs that sap enemy resistance. Between fights, you explore hand-drawn dungeons, manage resources like food and equipment, and interact with NPCs offering branching quests. The game emphasizes permadeath risk and loot farming, every missed gold piece feels costly. Missions often demand trial and error, like luring enemies into lava pits or using alchemy to bypass traps. The interface is cluttered but functional, with menus for gear swaps and spell research slowing the pace.

What Players Think

Avernum holds a 76/100 on Metacritic, reflecting its cult following and dated design. Community playtime averages 35 hours, with 12% of players completing the main story. Fans praise its depth but note slow progression and clunky UI. Criticisms center on repetitive dungeon layouts and a steep learning curve for spell synergies. The 50+ achievement list rewards min-maxing, e.g., winning battles without damaging a single enemy. While iOS/Android versions are playable, the PC port remains the most stable. Reviews on forums highlight “addictive stat-grinding” and “a love letter to 90s CRPGs,” though newer players often find it overwhelming.

PlayPile's Take

Avernum is a niche pick for RPG purists who don’t mind dated aesthetics. Its 76 Metacritic score suggests quality, but modern players should consider its 40-hour baseline playtime and $15, 20 price tag (if still listed). The game thrives on mechanical complexity but falters in pacing and polish. If you enjoy deep builds, procedural loot drops, and don’t mind a steep learning curve, it’s worth a try. However, for casual gamers, newer CRPGs with smoother UX might feel more rewarding. Stick with it if you have the patience for its grind.

Storyline

You have been banished to the underworld, never to see the light of day again. The surface is ruled by the cruel Emperor Hawthorne, master of the Empire. All of the known lands are subject to his brutal command. Everyone who speaks out, who misbehaves, who doesn’t fit in is cast into the dark, volcanic pits of Avernum, far below the surface. There, you are expected to die, a victim of starvation, horrible monsters, or simple despair. But not all of the Avernites have surrendered. With magic and steel, they are forging a new nation deep underground. You can join them and fight for safety. Or freedom. Or even, if you dare, revenge on the surface-dwellers who tried to destroy you.