Avadon: The Black Fortress Review
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At first, I had a great deal of trouble with Avadon. It was not because the game is too difficult, though it can be quite challenging at times. My primary concern was with the game's visuals. Or to be more specific, concessions made on behalf of the game's visuals. Avadon's presentation is rather simplistic; the kind of simplistic where a man standing behind a row of stocks signifies he is chained inside them. As such, text boxes frequently appear to set the scene and describe what the visuals can only hint at. In the beginning I found this to be an annoyance, especially as text boxes appeared unprompted while I was simply moving from one spot to another.
However, as I continued to play, a change occurred in me. The descriptions of facial expressions, body language, and bustling towns filled my imagination, and became a more interactive experience as my own mind participated in building the world around me. Where a triple-A game would attempt to fill in details with stilted animations and poor lip syncing, Avadon's simple text drew me deeper into the game's world rather than pushing me away from it. And what a world it is. Avadon is filled with side plots, all of which have a feeling of weight to the world without subjecting you to menial fetch quests. And every character has been fully fleshed out, with the gleefully destructive sorceress Nathalie sure to become a favorite.
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Avadon: The Black Fortress is like a time capsule waiting to be unlocked. The sparse visuals, uncompromising interface, and lack of tutorials will likely prevent those who cling to polygons and sweeping orchestral themes from embarking on its adventure. But those who venture into Avadon with an open mind will be transported to one of the richest fantasy worlds to grace gaming in many years. They just don't make games like this anymore.
