Spiderweb Software : 24 Years Of CRPG Goodness

[@SoilentGr33n]

"Since dosbox" Yeah it was just DOS, they had to put it in a box later to keep it alive. Good video, love these games.

[@RedeemedNick]

Yeah I LOLed when he said "Dosbox"

[@ryansta]

Hahaha

[@MunchieLuknight]

kids, back in my day it was QDOS(Quick and Dirty OS) later 86-DOS. Then this chump Bill Box renamed it Dosbox

[@Zeb89]

Played avernum through the nineties and had loads of fun with it. Great job.

[@randalthor6872]

I'm only just discovering these gems! Playing through Avernum right now, and loving it.

[@sgac4670]

I started with Exile: Escape From the Pit on a disc called 'Best 25 Shareware Games!' It might even have been a 3.5 floppy. For a long time Spiderweb games were the only computer games I played. I gradually stopped buying them after they got a bit same-y, but I still have a big collection of printed out walkthroughs and official hint books.

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

This new Keyboard is working great ...no more on screen keyboard BS ..now I can finish Fallout: Nevada and I can review it on top of some other stuff ... stay tuned

[@Raidenstream]

RetrospectiveGaming looking forward to see your review mate, I've just started Nevada this morning, I'm having a blast!

[@TheLastLineLive]

RetrospectiveGaming these

[@emboop2346]

First online purchase was also my first indie purchase took a hell of alot of time getting my grandma to know why I needed her credit card but after playing that demo I didnt stop mentioning it and she thought it was a scam until a disk showed up I'd put the demo up there with doom's demo even

[@blancoslate]

I still play spiderweb games today, they are great. I remember those shareware days really well, there wasn't even any credit card handlers online, so you send money via snail mail (albeit a quarter of the time the money get stolen by postal workers until we all got money orders instead). Good video.

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

That sound brutal ... I love hearing stories about the the old days of the internet but I'm spoiled by GOG , eBay and PayPal I couldn't imagine trying to get stuff back in the 90s haha

[@gordlord561]

Spiderweb Software has always interested me and you have no idea how many times I heard the name Jeff Vogel and Exile... I still need to try one of his games at some point

[@Mark-sd4hv]

DON'T

[@stillnotscaredofspiders]

I first discovered Spiderweb Software when I stumbled upon a channel in the comments section of a NerdCubed video, that basically did Let's Plays of Spiderweb Software games exclusively. Off the back of a couple of episodes, I bought the first Avadon and immediately dumped about 100 hours into it. Personally, I love the graphics. I love games with an isometric perspective and games that give you areas to explore, and Spiderweb has those in spades. I say I first discovered them recently, but I grew up in the 90s, we only had a Mac, and I got most of my games from magazine shareware CDs, and on one of those CDs was a game I played the hell out of called Ocean Bound, which although it wasn't developed by Spiderweb, it was published by them. I guess I was always meant to play Spiderweb games.

[@Flow86767]

What’s the channel that did let’s play of the spiderweb software games? I’m interested.

[@stillnotscaredofspiders]

@@Flow86767 Chessrook44

[@Flow86767]

@@stillnotscaredofspiders Damn, thanks a lot for responding me even if I asked 3 years after your originally commented, it’s real nice!

[@salamanderavem3782]

You bring love So aggressively I like

[@7Risen7Phoenix7]

My first experience was Vally of Dying Things and was immediately hooked. I've been watching LPs of various installments, and I've started a fanfic.

[@KingOfMadCows]

I still remember when Spiderweb Software worked with Fantasoft. And Fantasoft made a D&D inspired game called Realmz.

[@IamAWESOME3980]

give me more geneforge! i have no seen any games that have the same concepts

[@N8Bakka]

I wish they had a soundtrack for geneforge. All my other favorite series have epic soundtracks that make you picture the game after just hearing a couple notes. It’d be nice if geneforge had something similar

[@randalthor6872]

I felt the same way, and it actually put me off from playing it, but then I found out you can just make your own soundtrack! Or you can just use spotify and type in "Dungeons and Dragons music".

[@Ellimist000]

The near-silent ambience save for the cries of strange creatures or unstable chemical vats, or derelict bio-mechanical machinery is the PERFECT vibe for Geneforge at least

[@mushroomsteve]

This is awesome! I loved Spiderweb games! As an old-school Ultima fan, I found the format very easy to learn. I bought Exile, Blades of Exile, Avernum, and Crystal Souls. The spells and character classes were awesome. Thanks so much for hours upon hours of great story telling and game playing!

[@JDDL2011]

Thank you for introducing me to this company. I can't believe I missed this. I just finished Pathfinder and been itching for another crpg!

[@demonite10]

As a kid who got hooked on the demo for Exile 3, thanks for making this vid.

[@vincentpol]

This spiderwebsoftware company is my dream company. The guy and his wife do exactly what I want to do.

[@d1zguy864]

I loved this mans games. Loved playing them late into the night and early morning in my early teena

[@itatreeneetee]

Playing Avernum 4 now. Awesome experience

[@wythaaof6650]

I think avernum has also has unique story and environment with remastered triology its much more easier and fun to play. User Experience is much better than old ones I would say.

[@mariuszj3826]

I just saw this on GoG sale and looked up your video. Solid recommendations already buying the complete saga.

[@martinburns5982]

mr spiderweb has a good taste in scifi books.. those iain m banks books are probably some of the best ever written

[@Aristocles22]

My first Spiderweb Software game was Blades of Avernum, back in the mid-2000s. The graphics and lack of animations were a turn-off at first, but the plot, setting, and mechanics quickly drew me in.

[@futurewario9591]

Larian Studios

[@SteveAkaDarktimes]

Geneforge is being Remastered. theres a kickstarter. but they missed the Audio overhaul milestone again.

[@koalabrownie]

Seems like you hamm it up a bit but overall your vid is pretty hilarious, I particularly enjoyed your description of dial-up modems. Pretty fun hearing someone younger than myself talk bluntly about things from my own childhood

[@Darkkfated]

Jeff doesn't put music in his games ON PURPSOSE. He doesn't care about the budget; when Jeff plays games, he mutes the game and plays his own music in the background. He makes his own games with the assumption that his players will do the same. And honestly, I can't blame him; no matter how good the soundtrack, you're going to get tired of it after 80 hours of questing and dungeon delving. Although I'm sure that saving cash on not needing to pony up for a soundtrack is a plus.

[@hbcdhapamzmdfnsdiufnsduifhsopa]

have you played queen's wish? what is your thought on it?

[@diogobruno4930]

People always said that Avadon is kinda shitty, but i've played spiderweb games before, i've played Geneforge 1 and Avernum 1 and i loved both! Could you guys tell me if Avadon is any good?

[@Larananas1]

Great video, thanks 🙂 I will try Geneforge

[@JozuaSijsling]

Just started my first spiderweb game, Avernum: Escape from the Pit. Doing it on Torment difficulty. Very challenging, it's a lot of fun. I'll definitely pick up the other titles when I'm done with this one. Regarding your advice to Jeff. I think his GDC talk is pretty revealing. Investing in better graphics has been hit-or-miss for him. If you ask me Jeff seems to be the type that likes creating solid foundations for maximum reuse and iterating on them between each release. Spending the rest (the bulk) of his time on areas where he is strongest. Clearly his forté is story telling. Not just through text but especially through mature world, dungeon and boss design. Graphics (especially animations) can play a role in story telling, for example telegraphing a backstory instead of displaying text. I think it would suit his style if presentation improvements would benefit story telling.

[@ChanakyanStudent7971]

Geoff is the living legend

[@guillepankeke2844]

Gameplay is the core of all video games.

[@DoomStarRequiem]

Since DOSBox.. Was a kid during win95 and DOS... Damn I'm old.😅

[@lawsonashurst7314]

Excellent video as always, but say, do you plan to play Torment: Tides of Numenera soon? It was my 2017 GOTY, and probably one of my fav RPGs, and i would love to hear your thoughts on it!

[@PatchyE]

I also like that game quite a lot. Really charming world building that's very different from but somehow still reminiscent of PS:T.

[@PatchyE]

@The Begelgoose True the dialogs are a bit overdone and sometimes the text can get really boring (and even nonsensical). It's not the best RPG in recent years but it does have a unique feeling no other game has. As for the combat I actually liked it, hoped there could be more of them though (especially in the first half of the game).

[@jessyruel3006]

Yall need to play those, AND Underrail !

[@TheShorty751]

To be honest, the only thing that kept me away from these games ist the lack of ingame music. I have Avernum in my gog library. I will give it a try. Btw, great video, mate.

[@mojebi3804]

You can play your own music over the game.

[@egoalter1276]

OG avernum plays very well for what it is.

[@stentor9640]

Sorry Jeff, but in the 90s I used a keygen to unlock the Exile series. I've since paid for your games especially the Avernum series, I just wish you left the "attack non-hostile" options because that was an amazing way to test your party's skill.

[@tikareilu]

You, sir, are a fucking scholar. Thank you for your contributions.

[@shutdowncnn6086]

Great video! You are exactly right about these games and I have them all. GOG and Steam. These games require thought to play and most are long plays.

[@sergiuconstantinescu8124]

One of the first computer games that I played and the one that introduced me to the RPG genre is Homeland The Stone of Night. I believe it was only published by Spiderweb Software (not created by them) and I heard it wasn't very well regarded back in its time, but I really enjoyed it - spent over 100 hours playing Homeland :). It was declared freeware somewhere around 2008 but I don't think there's any working download links around the internet. I can provide one though, if there's anyone willing to play the game.

[@sergiuconstantinescu8124]

Sure buddy, there you go: www.dropbox.com/s/pc1wldg0ykqr0ta/Homeland.exe?dl=0 The thing that I liked the most about the game was it's atmosphere and the in-game music added a lot to it in my opinion (I still love listening to some of its songs). There was this mysterious task that you get (as a simple young man looking for a job) from a woman new in your town, then gradually you get involved in exciting adventures and discover that your role in the history and also the future of your world is much bigger than you imagined. Anyway, I am pretty sure that a good portion of my excitement towards this game is due to the fact that it was "my first" if that makes any sense :) Note: I know that Homeland runs well on Win 98, XP and even 7 with the right compatibility settings, I never tried it on any newer OS though.

[@rem9142]

Dude ( or woman?) this sounds fuckin exciting 👌 reaaaally want to try this out now..

[@sergiuconstantinescu8124]

nice, hope you'll like it! (and it's a dude :) )

[@rem9142]

Sergiu Constantinescu thanks, dude! 👌 have a good one

[@fieryblender7174]

I ALWAYS bring up the Exile/Avernum whenever the topic of "the greatest CRPGS". You can not deny its legacy.

[@cube_1674]

Watch yo mouf yungin

[@rem9142]

Your videos are a pretty feel good and👌chill vibe. Wish I had a computer now, Id be taking plenty of look into this and other games you've talked about..

[@TheRPGChick]

Interesting video. I've heard of Spiderweb, but have never checked checked out any of their titles. Maybe it's time to change that. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@roguerifter9724]

I love Spidewreb. I started with the Exile games and I own every game he's made except the Geneforge 1 and 2 remakes (I own all five the originals) I wish he would diversify the settings more though. They have several distinct settings but they are all some variety of sword and sorcery tech level. I wish he would try a scifi setting or even modern era tech level setting. I don't know if this is true but I read somewhere he originally considered making Geneforge a scifi setting but decided not to because scifi weapons would be too powerful for the gameplay style he wanted. IMO that makes no sense. Sure scifi weapons would be more powerful then a medieval equivalent sword but defensive technology could evolve to the point that the combat style he wanted would still be viable

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

How dare you forget to mention black isle studio

[@luciusnetheril]

You deserve a like just for knowing how dial-up sounds like... Then again, you assumed there was a dosbox, back in the day-there was not, there was only DOS

[@iantaran2843]

Honestly if my dude made a deal with a music composer and rereleased everything with soundtracks. Or hell Even offer them as DLC. I'm sure a larger group would be fans. I want to get into them but like playing through Sorcery! I need to have a fantasy OST playing in the background because I gotta have my music for vibes

[@bravo075]

"Since DOSBox? "Just ask the people who made DOOM"? "Fuck math"? You're quite young aren't you? Which I find quite nice because you seem to be into these old-style video games. That just goes to show you how good they are since they have traversed through generations.

[@Ellimist000]

"Play Geneforge" Couldn't have said it better myself 🤣

[@guillepankeke2844]

i bought one of theese, i plan on playing on it. One thing id like to say is that i do care about graphics on games. But isometric graphics are kind of humble. Yet there is a lot that could be added with animations.

[@yaris684]

i like it when he swears

[@fabio04081998]

I love spiderweb games!

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

Same

[@TheLastLineLive]

These games seem interesting but I'll be honest, the graphics and interface of these games just seem way too old. That's what turned me off to trying them. But I did get from I believe from a Humble Bundle so perhaps I'll give it a whirl soon enough. But I hope the new game has some money put towards revamping the graphics and UI to both be more appealing, I don't mind text or anything like that.

[@MrArakhon]

For how much I have seen Jeff Vogel online I love that guy but don't you think he should have made his games more accessible and graphically appealing in 20+ or so years of game development.

[@svengarson9984]

Scout. That you?

[@EddyGordo21]

The graphics aren't terrible

[@ShakesPotada]

MSDos or Dos is fine.

[@princelorian]

>nintendo >jrpgs I laughed. Great video

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

Glad it made you laugh...I'm sure everyone knows I don't know shit about JRPGS haha ..cause I really don't...I thought Nintendo made Xenoblade Chronicles 2 but they published it haha

[@chriscarter8593]

since dosbox? you mean dos? youre outta your element

[@bulanet271]

Oh u said u didn't play gothic 3. But anyway i hear one of my fav gothic 3 songs in ere

[@PipBoykin]

For a recap from the man himself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaXbh3WAmtJmiNU

[@Magnic_]

Still, no love for Piranha Bytes.

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

There is plenty of love for PB on this channel...I've reviewed Gothic 1 and 2 and mention them a lot ..and I'm reviewing ELEX soon

[@michaelthomsen6810]

Don't disregard math Che, without math computers wouldn't exist. So you wouldn't have all these great games to enjoy.

[@theseriousaccount]

Dosbox??? Roflmao 😂

[@yelsamarani]

There were times when you segued into completely irrelevant topics to rant or something. If you could minimize that and focus on the great analysis you were doing, your essays would be even better.

[@fj06carnone]

Great video! (though the cursing is so childish and cringe 😬)

[@cloudwalk4566]

I've played with and finished most of the top rated RPGs (baldurs, fallout, witcher, dark souls, diablo, divinity etc.) I have to say that Avernum is worth a try, it takes some time to get into, but the world and story is one of the best of of all Rpgs. I've finished Avernum - Escape from the Pit, now I'm playing vith Avernum 2 - Crystal souls....And I will play with more of spiderweb's games...I really like em so far..

[@arsunen2496]

InXile Wasteland for the win!

[@chriscarter8593]

keep droppin f bombs, really helps the script flow. terrible video

[@SaberViper]

Sir-Tech? RIP Jagged Alliance 1/2

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

RIP to Wizardy too!

[@ocab9589]

J Rpgs arent rpgs per say

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

I got a new Twitter ocab ...make sure to add me @flamboyanttop

[@ocab9589]

Just did bitch

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

@@ocab9589 Thanks Ho!

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

@@ocab9589 We were born to die

[@ocab9589]

We are indeed never stop lifting #LIFTWAFFE

[@megamike15]

i can handle not very good graphics but jeff's art style bothers me and the lack of music is a deal breaker. i'm also not a fan of turn based combat in crpg prefer rtwp with those as i find turn base to slow. fallout and arcanum are the only exectpions as you can speed those up in the settings.

[@amberkeg]

Narration so edgy I've almost cut myself.

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

Saying fuck isn't gonna kill you ..do it more ...happy to see you back dude

[@kickster4u]

Am I the only person that hated these games?

[@eiszapfenderwutendenwinde3233]

Sorry man, when games look like shovelware. When they look even worse than Fallout 1 in 2018. Then i cannot and will not play these games. Im glad we moved away from shitty graphics from 1991! I don't say games have to look like Crysis. But this shovelware graphics are not acceptable anymore. And i still play Fallout and Arcanum on a 1/4 year basis. Im a Retro Emulation gamer as well. But there is a line that needs to be drawn. And Spiderweb Software is far below that line! They are deeper than the Titanic! Recently i installed two games. Balrum and Avernum 3. While Balrum is at the very border of passable. Avernum 3 i had to remove from my PC in less than 20min.. Or i would have screamed and shoved something up my a$$, because that would've feelt better! _Sorry for the graphical display of words..._ :P Its not only the graphics in their games. Its also the lack of animations. Everything that is important for a visual presentation is missing. Character movement is so choppy. It feels like the game is running in 5 FPS. It was simply no fun.

[@RetrospectiveGaming]

Feel free to be as colorful as you want in your vocabulary haha...I don't mind..it's all good ..their games are not for everyone ..I personally don't mind the graphics...I don't love them but as long as I enjoy the game I can look past it...it's one person getting the artwork and putting everything together..so that explains why it looks the way it does ...btw what's your favorite build in Arcanum? I always go for a Dwarf Gunslinger

[@princelorian]

Youre missing out.

[@mojebi3804]

The graphics are good enough to give me images I can work with in my mind. That's good enough for me.

[@tatuira93]

I was about to agree with you but then I remembered Dwarf Fortress. Yeah, you'll miss out on some really great games with that mentality, just saying.

[@BearfaxII]

"It's not the graphics, it's the lack of animations." ...So it's the graphics. Gotcha.

[@Bekon241]

0:05 "Or Bethesda" and when i hear that name i know 99% his games is crap, buged borring with worst lvling system ever. For me only Morowind is ok with community patch off course all others is shit...