Once you go down, you never come back up. You are thrown into Avernum, a network of enormous caverns miles beneath the earth. It is a land of perpetual darkness, lit only by glowing fungi and strange magical crystals. It is a hostile environment populated by terrifying monsters, ancient slithzerikai (lizard-men), and the nefari (goblins).
The game drops you into a massive underground prison colony where the surface world discards its rebels and misfits. Unlike many modern RPGs that hold your hand, Spiderweb Software creates a non-linear experience. You are free to explore the cavernous depths, discover hidden cities, and choose which of the three main overarching quests you want to pursue—or ignore them all and just try to survive.
For Android users, Avernum offers a rare chance to experience deep, text-rich, stat-driven CRPG gameplay on a mobile device — but with important caveats regarding availability and support.
The combat is strictly turn-based and isometric. Success depends on positioning and the smart use of a 4-character party. You’ll need to balance your team with fighters, priests, and mages to survive the increasingly brutal encounters.
🌟 A must-play CRPG series, but not on modern Android unless you’re willing to emulate or stream.
This setting provides a unique atmosphere. It is oppressive, claustrophobic, and melancholic, yet filled with wonder. The writing excels at making the player feel the weight of the darkness and the resilience of the human spirit.