Spiderweb Software brings the epic Avernum series to a close

The RPG masters at Spiderweb Software, Inc. have announced the release of Avernum 6 for the Macintosh, the final game in the epic, award-winning series. Avernum 6 is a fantasy role-playing game set in the world of Avernum, an enormous series of caves far below the surface of the world. Travel into the strange subterranean land of Avernum, full of dungeons, labyrinths, and constant warfare.

The Avernum series began nearly 10 years ago…Bill Stiteler originally reviewed Avernum 1 back when we were employed at Applelinks (ah, to be young and pretty again). And although I never played one of the games myself, I certainly should have. Forgoing modern graphics for a more classic look that allows the gamer to focus solely on the story and gameplay (but don’t get me wrong; Avernum may look dated, but the graphics are still exceptionally well done), Avernum is exactly the type of game that could easily take over my free time for a month or two. And there are six? That’s a year’s worth of adventuring right there.

From the release:

Avernum is a world underground. It is a nation of people living in an enormous warren of tunnels and caverns, far below the surface of the world. Once a prison colony for rebels and thugs, it is now a wild frontier, full of adventurous souls looking for wealth, fame, and magical power.

And then the Blight came. Almost overnight, the mushrooms Avernum needed to feed itself withered and died. Then the denizens of the low tunnels, the savage, reptilian Slithzerikai, emerged. Sensing weakness, they struck, destroying much of a weakened Avernum and creating waves of hungry, desperate refugees.

This final set of disasters threatens to destroy your homeland in a spasm of famine and warfare. Only you can help your people to get to safety before everything falls apart.

Avernum 6 is the final game in the popular and long-running Avernum series. Explore a gigantic world, with a fascinating storyline, hundreds of quests, multitudes of side dungeons, and many hours of adventure. The game features clever enemies and dozens of interesting scripted encounters. Learn over 50 spells and battle disciplines. Hunt for hundreds of magical items or craft your own powerful artifacts.

Avernum 6 retails for $28.00 for the download copy. You can also receive a CD for an additional $6.00, and a hint book is available as well. The game is also available as part of the Second Avernum Trilogy CD (containing episodes 4-6) for $55.00. The First Trilogy CD can be purchased for $45.00.

For more information, including system specs, visit the Spiderweb Software website. A Windows version will be released in spring of 2010.