A6 - How big's the sixth installment?

[IllScrub]

(hmm, I don't know if this is the right forum for this - if it should be in the general/Avernum 3 forum, then please move, thanks)

 

So, I've just downloaded the demo, and I'm loving it. It's excellent.

 

I'm holding off on buying just yet, though, because of the size of the game - I did notice that Avernum 5, for example, felt much shorter than 3. As such, I'm in a bit of a quandary as to whether to get 6, or to get a new copy of 3 (who knows where my old copy went ...). Some advice would be very useful.

 

So, people who've played through Avernum 6 - how long is it - timewise/sizewise? I noticed that it's significantly more open ended than 4/5 ... as the game goes on, how does it compare to 3 (it's probably smaller, but how much smaller)?

[Dikiyoba]

Originally Posted By: IllScrub

As such, I'm in a bit of a quandary as to whether to get 6, or to get a new copy of 3 (who knows where my old copy went ...).

If you bought A3 once, you can download a new copy and ask for a new key. You don't have to buy it a second time.

Dikiyoba.

[Randomizer]

The map size is the same as A4 (it uses mostly the same map). The game size in terms of events is more than A4 and A5. You aren't going to get a large map like A3 because of the change to the current game engine and mapping system.

 

There are fewer trivial monster encounters. What you have are quests and fixed encounter areas with lots of boss and mini-boss fights. Monsters do slowly repopulate in the game so most areas don't stay cleared out. You get about the same length of playing time as A3, but you spend less time travelling around.

 

The demo is the largest since A3 in terms of size and number of things that you can do.

[IllScrub]

Thanks both of you -

 

Dikiyoba, you are AWESOME. Thanks!

 

Randomiser - excellent. I got the impression of a more involved game world from the demo so far - good to hear that it carries on with that from a grizzled Avernum vet.

[Fael]

I haven't finished it, but I'm mostly through the Eastern Gallery, which I gather means I'm probably about 70% of the way there. So far, it feels much bigger than A4 or A5. I'm not sure how much of that is that there really is a lot more, and how much is an illusion generated by the multi-stage quests and the greater player control over the order that you do them in. Either way, though, I definitely don't see "too small" as a reason not to get it.

[Acky]

It's probably because Jeff has gotten better at using the new(ish) engine. A4 was the first one, which would probably explain why it seems small.