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It’s hard to conceive a totally new Sword and Sorcery storyline. While there is a bit of “more of the same” in Aveyond, designer Amanda Fae has done better than most of the mega-marketing-budget games for sale today. If only this sparkling story weren’t stuck in the graphics of the previous century.

Let’s talk story first. Talia certainly leaves an impression on Rhen, but it’s not till a few years later that Rhen is mistaken for Talia (because of the ring Talia gave her) and kidnapped into slavery. Rhen doesn’t have an easy life as a slave, and even though she knows where to find the ring, she doesn’t dare steal it back. Her worst tormentor is her mistress’s son, Lars, whose pride and spoiled antics are only reinforced by his qualification to the Shadwood Academy of magical arts. For better or worse, Rhen accidentally demonstrates magical talent as well, and she is suddenly elevated from slave to classmate.

As a budding Sword Singer, Rhen can begin searching for the answers to why she was kidnapped and why Talia, and the ring, are so important. (Of course, it turns out that the fate of the entire world hangs in the balance … we didn’t say the whole storyline was all refreshingly new.) As she journeys, she is joined by several companions, including but not limited to Dameon, the Sun Druid; Elini, the Demon Summoner; Pirate John, the Dragon Rider; and even Lars, the Aggravating. (Yes, we made that last name up. He turns out to be a Sorcerer, and a pretty good one, at that.)

We won’t try to describe the entire story here — that’s why you play the game! But meanwhile …

The graphics and interface wouldn’t have been refreshingly new twenty years ago. Some may suggest that this is refreshingly retro, but there’s a reason why games don’t use graphics and interfaces like this any more: because there are much better options available today. There is no mouse interface; nearly all action is driven by the spacebar and four arrow keys. As the screenshots suggest, you walk across the screen (or up or down, but never at an angle) with what looks like a two-frame animation (left, right, left, right).

You may collect up to eight members in your party, and you may designate any of them as leader. As you travel throughout the world, only the leader appears on screen.

Pathfinding can be a pain, especially since the perspective sometimes requires you to walk behind trees and other obstacles. The smallest rock can require you to walk around it (up, left, down, continue left).

When you stop to fight, which happens often, the screen switches to a static display which displays all the party members. In each round of combat, you cycle through each member of your party for whom, in turn, you cycle through the available options (and choosing to use a skill requires another cycle, through the available skills). Then everyone strikes in order (there’s a bit of animation indicating who is doing what to whom, but the characters themselves don’t move), and damage points drift away from each target. When anyone falls, its image simply fades away.

One important note. We haven’t investigated this completely, but there appear to be two versions of Aveyond — Build A and Build B. We believe we played Build B. Either way, there are several patches available at the official site that you want to make sure you’ve downloaded. There are also a couple of very useful walkthroughs and guides available — there’s a lengthy walkthrough on the official site, and at least one other PDF guide with useful data (including things like lists of skills (mainly spells), costs and effects, and a complete rundown of side quests).

Will notes that the characters all look like kids. This is a standard for this type of graphics, but it is noteworthy because it hinders your immersion in the story and game. It’s hard to take an evil genius seriously when he looks like a kewpie doll.

Jesse says Aveyond is really fun, especially since you get to do a lot of things and can keep getting better. Both Will and Jesse can’t wait till they’re old enough to get in on the massive online game action, but this is a nice substitute in the meantime.

Will and Jesse both enjoyed the game, but it certainly isn’t on their top ten list. Dad found it to be pretty tedious, and that’s coming from a veteran of roleplaying games. Wandering in the wilderness, with only vague guidance toward where you’re supposed to be going, until you either succomb to an attack or find your goal, is not my idea of a good time.

So we have a split decision. If story is important to you, or if your gamer is young enough to handle repetition well, give Aveyond a shot.