Avadon 3: The Warborn

Alright. Avadon 3: The Warborn is done and dusted. That's the game and the series complete finally. This is of course a Spiderweb Software style CRPG, and as such, you should expect it to look and feel pretty old school, because it factually is exactly that. Even though this one released in 2016, the tried-and-true format used by Mr. Vogel has largely remained the same since 1995, with some QoL upgrades between then and now. Anyway, this was the conclusion to the Avadon series, so let's take a look at what it has to offer.
Now, you probably shouldn't be playing this before playing the two previous games. Even though you start over with a new character as with all Spiderweb Soft games, the overarching story builds from game to game. So, I'm going to assume you've played the previous two games here. If you haven't, you should look at those first. Can you play this on its own? Yes. Should you? No. Much of what's happening will lose all context if you do so.
With that out of the way, this is in my opinion the least compelling title in the series. The first game built the world for us. The second game expanded the lore and added a very real sense of mystery via The Corruption. In this game, you've already been to all the locations via the previous two games, have met many of the major NPCs already, and in general will be pretty familiar with everything being presented. This game struggles to introduce anything new into the equation outside of continuing the story itself.
I would say the story also is not as strong here. Definitely not as strong as Avadon 2, which was the clear best game in the series. It's good, and it keeps you moving forward, but it did feel like Jeff was feeling a bit of Avadon fatigue at the point where he wrote this one. It just lacked a certain punchiness and raw political intrigue the past two games had. Everything here is far more straightforward. Is it bad? No. Is it on par with the writing in other Spiderweb Soft games? Not the ones I've played. However, I will say that the ending I got was pretty satisfying, and so there is a bit of a payoff for seeing this through to its conclusion.
Gameplay is consistent with the previous two games. It's isometric turn-based CRPG, and you're going to already know these systems inside and out at this point. I'd also add that outside of just having a favorite character archetype you want to play as, there is really no reason to play as anything other than a Tinkermage. The game definitely favors that class heavily, and you have companions from all the classes available anyway, so why not play as the clear powerhouse?
As with the previous titles, this game can and will be very challenging at times. The toughest battle was with the Tawon god. Actually, that fight has a pretty insane difficulty spike. In contrast, the Redbeard battle was pretty anticlimactic. Where in previous games, he was hands down the most difficult battle by a wide margin, in this one, he was kind of a pushover. This is largely due to the story progression, and it makes perfect sense from that standpoint, but it still felt a bit weird considering his boss battle history.
Overall, Avadon 3 is definitely a quality game even if it doesn't necessarily live up to the lofty standard set by Spiderweb Software games in general, and it was certainly a fitting end to the Avadon series. I had a good time with it, and if you've already played the previous two games, you owe it to yourself to complete the series. Well worth a look in my estimation.
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I love these games - took a long break in between Avadon 2 and 3, but I'm glad I came back to it. The games just get better and better over each iteration and generation. Spiderweb Software is one of my absolute favorite game makers!

Developed and published by Spiderweb Software, Avadon 3: The Warborn concludes the long-running fantasy RPG trilogy with a satisfying blend of tactical combat, branching storytelling, and meaningful player choice. Staying true to the studio's signature design philosophy, the game favors depth and replayability over flashy presentation, delivering an experience that appeals primarily to fans of traditional computer role-playing games. Although it serves as the final chapter in the Avadon saga, the game provides enough background to make the story understandable for newcomers while rewarding returning players with the culmination of years of political conflict, personal rivalries, and world-building. The result is an adventure that feels grand in scale while maintaining a strong focus on individual decisions and their consequences.
Players once again assume the role of a Hand of Avadon, an elite agent empowered to enforce the will of a powerful fortress that has protected the Pact nations for generations. However, the once-stable order has begun to fracture as civil unrest, foreign threats, and internal corruption threaten everything Avadon was built to defend. The story quickly evolves beyond a simple battle between good and evil, presenting difficult moral dilemmas where loyalty, justice, ambition, and survival often conflict with one another. Dialogue is plentiful and well-written, giving every major character believable motivations while allowing the player to shape relationships and influence the future of entire nations. Numerous branching paths and multiple endings ensure that choices have lasting consequences, encouraging players to revisit the game and explore different outcomes.
Combat follows a classic turn-based structure that rewards careful planning rather than quick reflexes. Five distinct character classes provide plenty of variety, each featuring unique combat abilities, magical talents, and specialized skill trees that encourage different tactical approaches. Building an effective party becomes an enjoyable strategic exercise as companions contribute their own strengths, personalities, and combat roles. Battles often require intelligent positioning, thoughtful use of special abilities, and efficient resource management instead of relying solely on powerful equipment. Character progression remains consistently rewarding, with frequent opportunities to unlock new powers, strengthen existing skills, and customize equipment using magical crystals and enchanted artifacts. The abundance of loot and upgrade options gives players considerable freedom to create characters that match their preferred style of play.
Exploration plays a significant role throughout the adventure, with a large fantasy world filled with diverse environments, dangerous ruins, hidden caves, remote settlements, and optional quests waiting to be discovered. Every location offers opportunities to uncover valuable treasures, complete side missions, and learn more about the history and politics of the world. Hundreds of magical items provide meaningful rewards for players who thoroughly investigate every corner of the map, while optional encounters frequently reveal additional lore or present difficult choices that further expand the narrative. The pacing benefits from this constant sense of discovery, making exploration feel worthwhile instead of simply serving as a path between major story events.
From a technical perspective, Avadon 3 embraces a deliberately old-school presentation. The isometric graphics, simple animations, and modest visual effects clearly reflect the priorities of a small independent studio focused on gameplay systems rather than graphical realism. While the visuals may appear dated compared to modern RPGs, they remain functional and readable during combat while allowing the game to dedicate more resources to its expansive world, lengthy campaign, and intricate role-playing mechanics. The soundtrack complements the fantasy atmosphere effectively, and while it rarely stands out on its own, it supports the overall tone without becoming distracting.
Avadon 3: The Warborn is a confident conclusion to the trilogy that demonstrates Spiderweb Software's continued mastery of classic role-playing design. Its strongest qualities lie in its layered storytelling, meaningful choices, rewarding tactical battles, extensive character customization, and generous amount of content that easily supports multiple playthroughs. Players seeking cinematic visuals or modern production values may find its presentation somewhat outdated, but those who appreciate thoughtful writing, strategic gameplay, and rich fantasy world-building will discover an RPG that delivers dozens of hours of engaging content. It remains an excellent example of a traditional computer RPG that values substance over spectacle and provides a satisfying ending to an ambitious fantasy saga.
Rating: 8/10

I love the world of this game. It's interesting and challenging and I wish there were more installments

It took me almost 10 years to conclude the trilogy, and I'm glad I did. It's clear this is a final entry, with many things ending including the mighty Redbeard. Maybe things are a bit hazy, but I think more than ever you have to face choices where you don't have good outcomes. Will you become a puppet to various sides, a bloodthirsty monster, a hypocrite who smiles at everyone, or maybe dare talk back and face the wrath of the most powerful Keeper on the lands.

A story ends with this chapter, although there are still all the remaining stories of Spiderweb Software waiting. It's funny how when I first started it, the Avadon games were the new fancy ones, and now that I finish it, they have become the oldest of the modern Spiderweb games.

Loving this CRPG so far!