# Avernum HD — user reviews > 136 indexed App Store user reviews of Avernum HD by Spiderweb Software, rated 4.80/5 from 41 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avernum-hd/id499730787/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avernum-hd/id499730787.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 37 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1 ## What do users think of Avernum HD? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Great turn-based RPG - 👍 Excellent alternative to D&D - 👍 Massive world to explore - 👍 Huge amount of content - 👍 Fantastic game - 👍 Brilliant writing and world-building - 👍 Excellent value for money - 👍 Engaging story and gameplay - 👍 Smooth iPad implementation - 👍 Offline play **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes - 🐛 Upside-down orientation on iPad Pro - 🐛 Difficulty selecting enemies in combat - 🐛 Frustrating pathfinding issues **Commonly reported bugs** - Automatic party death at start of game - Compatibility issues on older iPads **Most requested features** - Pinch-to-zoom functionality - Automatic saving during gameplay - More quick spell slots - iCloud save sync ## Newest reviews (15 of 136) ### 5/5 — Avernum Series - Six Genuinely Excellent Games *2018-05-28, version 1.1* This is a honest review, no hype. I find the Avernum games excellent value. I bought the original Exile games to play on my Windows XP machine back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. Bought them again for my Macbook. Bought them again when I switched to Linux OS. And now buying them again for my iPad. Must have paid over £100 for these games over the years but they are more than worth it. Very easy to learn how to play, you are instantly into the action, good training episodes at start, then plenty of clues and guides scattered through the game world to give you a plot to follow if you want a story. If you just want to wander at random and have things happen to you and then whack the baddies til they whimper and cry for mummy that is possible too. If you ever get stuck there are many guides and hints available online. You also get an editor so you can create your own characters. Endlessly replayable. Oh, and did I mention, moments of very funny dialogue, with attractive graphics, good audio effects, times when you must make moral decisions and live with the consequences. All these extras show the care put into these games by very talented and dedicated developers. As far as I know, Spiderware is an independent company making its own products (from a spare room or attic?) and not a massive corporation which is dictated to by accountants chasing pennies. They deserve all the support they can get from a public who appreciate craft values over corporate dullness. I would buy their games just for that reason alone. Final comment: I played their games as a girl. It inspired me to train as an engineer myself. I ended up in medical research not building games but I was inspired by Spiderware to enjoy tech so buy these games for your kids as well as yourself and who knows where you will end up? One thing for sure, wherever it is you will still come back and play these games for pure nostalgic fun. ### 5/5 — Thank you *2017-10-03, version 1.1* Thank you for updating the app, it’s great. ### 5/5 — Great Game *2017-05-25, version 1.1* Great storyline ### 5/5 — Huge amount of content, well worth the cost *2017-04-26, version 1.1* I've just completed this. The game is more expensive than many iOS games but has a huge amount of content and so is well worth the cost. I'd recommend this game. ### 5/5 — Excellent, worth every penny *2016-12-17, version 1.1* In the early 90's I spent hours on the original game so I decided to give the remake a try and I can say I am not disappointed. It is excellent value for money when you consider the amount of work that goes into a game like this. Thank you Spiderweb software, I now look forward to my morning commute so I can delve into this fascinating world once again. Works well on iPad mini and stylus. ### 5/5 — Really great Retro RPG!!! *2016-12-12, version 1.1* Spiderweb Software makes the best story driven RPG's that I ever played. If you like old school fantasy RPG's like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Avadon, and Dungeons of Chaos on iOS, then this game is for you! ### 5/5 — Well-designed, engaging and extensive *2016-11-30, version 1.1* The developer has put a lot of thought into the iPad implementation of this game and it shows. These Spiderweb Software games have existed on PC for years, but this is my first proper play-through of one. The UI works well for touch screen and movement around the screen is effortless. It's often the details that count in these conversions from mouse-and-keyboard games; this port is a success. The game itself is extremely fun and addictive if you're into the cRPG style of game. Isometric RPGs are enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment; this game sits well amongst many others. It's expansive and immersive. The setting is unique and the writing takes refreshing turns. It's a wonderful long-haul game for those who enjoy a lengthy challenge. It serves as a reminder that iPad gaming hasn't fully succumbed to the blight of micro-transactions...yet. ### 5/5 — Huge value for this price! *2016-04-01, version 1.0.2* Good witty writing and a nuanced world make me a happy adventurer. And having it on the iPad keeps me peddling away on my exercise bike! ### 5/5 — Great game *2016-02-23, version 1.0.2* Really fun game. Even though I just recently bought it I already love the turn based combat and the spells. It's nice switching between this and icewind dale to get a nice but similar change which is exactly what I was looking for. I love the style of graphics and how you have the option of creating the party. It's also not complicated and easy to pick up. Old school is the only way! Enjoy ### 5/5 — Long lasting and fresh *2016-02-13, version 1.0.2* I'm always a fan of well made games, with a good story and plenty of gameplay that isn't a grind. Avernum ticks all these boxes. If you are a fan of old school get this! ### 5/5 — Excellent Game *2016-01-14, version 1.0.2* A delicious sandwich of xcom and balders gate. ### 5/5 — Live, breathe Avernum *2016-01-10, version 1.0.2* This fascinating story is every bit as detailed and complex as a novel. You get to be inside it. I played this game called Exile on a brand new 486 and have never forgotten it. I remember it with great fondness and was delighted to see it re-released on the iPad. Glad to see Spiderweb is still around. And not offering in app purchases. Thanks! Avernum is a long, immersive game that gives you great and small detail of the world you are let loose into. You aren't a 'chosen one'. You get no favours. You have to pay your way like everyone else and money is tight. There are plenty of jobs to do and you gradually get known. You have a lot of travelling, many interactions and of course lots of battles. It's small on screen but beautiful and smooth and easy to navigate. You have to read a lot but it is well written and deeply enriches the experience of being in this world. There are many characters to appease or connect with and many enemies to eliminate. It's political and guides you along the good, mostly moral path. You have to be 'neutral good' in this game. You have to do a lot of travel but it's not too unpleasant. There is always plenty to do. Love the little boat journeys too that break up the usual tromping about. There have been changes since the original. Mainly to suit the slacker gamer. This is a good idea. The pictorial equipping and inventory screen was a must. Few have the patience for backtracking and supply shopping. You get endless arrows so you don't have to suspend a mission to go shopping. This is a good idea. Bows are great but a pain if you have to shop for arrows all the time and a big drain on the limited finances. And finances are limited! No more hunger pangs that have you running back for supplies. Although feeding the PC is normally an inconvenience the gamer can do without, Exile is a lot about food. The shopkeepers and growers you converse with enrich the gameplay and now you have no need to buy anything from them. You got to feel hungry along with the other exiles. It is a land of starvation and rations. You also don't have to buy lock picks, which I think is sad because it was fun to find the fence hiding in a dark corner who sells 'other' things. Sad to see go, too, are the wonderful sound effects - stepping in filth - oh, how that made you not ever want to do that again! PC's grunts and enemy groans are gone. Saddest of all are the lack of spider voices. Still the world is there and available to be played agin. It's well worth the price and it will stay with you. I recommend a handy walkthrough if you don't like getting out a pen and paper. It's a very detailed place and can get complex. It's a great adventure. ### 5/5 — My Fav RPG on App store *2015-10-08, version 1.0.2* Great classic - reminds me of fallout 1 and 2 with regards to mechanics. Can get a little lost from time to time trying to remember where various characters live. When is the iphone version coming!!! ### 5/5 — Too good for iPad *2015-08-09, version 1.0.2* I've been a big fan of the spiderweb software games for quite some time. (Going back to my teenage years) When I saw this was for iPad I couldn't believe it. A dream come true! This game is beyond the typical quality of a tablet game, the gameplay and content can keep you going for months. ### 5/5 — Love this game!!!!! *2015-06-24, version 1.0.2* HONESTLY WISH THEY WOULD MAKE MORE!!!! Hours of fun of exploring countless "dungeons". ( I think that's the right word, unlike most games on iPad, you get to have the best of all worlds! , it's not anywhere near the same level as skyrim by far, but it almost has a skyrim aftertaste to it..... And again I hope they branch out further ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not as good as Exile *2021-04-15, version 1.2.1* Spiderweb’s remakes tend to be worse than the originals. They loose more than they gain. ‘Blades of Exile’ would have been a way better app. ### 1/5 — Automatic Death at End of Tutorial *2017-01-07, version 1.1* Something's wrong in Avernum, and no, it isn't pillars this time. No matter what I do, the party gets slaughtered at the top of the stairs into Fort Avernum. Right now, the game is a waste of money: don't buy until this is fixed! ### 1/5 — Avernum: Escape from the Pit *2012-09-05, version 1.0.1* Had great potential, but a poor balance between battles and treasure left this game lacking. Nobody wants to fight through armies of spiders and imps, only to find a few morsels of food on the ground. Without sufficient weapons, potions, rings, etc. the game slowly bleeds you to death. It wouldn't be so bad if the experience gained would allow you to build your character's health and attack capabilities to be able to withstand the armies you face, but alas such is not the case. Avadon was much better balanced in terms of battles and rewards. If you buy this game, be prepared to be frustrated. ### 2/5 — This is an outdated version of the game *2025-11-05, version 1.2.3* The game was remade 15 years ago, it’s now called escape from the pit. This is an even older version of the game with bad graphics and systems. The description should make this clear. Would skip unless you’re a die hard retro gamers ### 2/5 — Love it, one suggestion *2015-01-15, version 1.0.2* This is a deep RPG, it has a vast world to explore and lots of quests. One major flaw is you can't pinch zoom. When you're traveling through the game it's very very hard to identify things on the ground or anywhere for that matter! I find myself traveling a few feet than I press the inventory button to see if there's anything I can pick up. It would help if the objects on the ground were more visible, keep in mind I have 20/20 vision. I hope the developers implement pinch zoom someday so I can see what the heck I'm doing! Until then this app will be deleted. ### 2/5 — An old classic ruined *2014-01-26, version 1.0.2* I was a big fan of the Exile games. This is a poor adaptation full. Almost every monster is a "dm special," and as a result combat is tedious and takes forever. Boss fights are particularly annoying, as you are in no danger of dying but they take forever to kill. No tension, tedious fighting. ### 3/5 — Game is upside down on iPad Pro *2017-05-30, version 1.1* Love the game, but it plays upside down on the iPad Pro, this means that I can't play the game docked in the keyboard and have to then pick it up and turn it around. Please fix. ### 3/5 — Fun but my eyes! *2014-06-20, version 1.0.2* Really hard to see....for me anyway. My eyes aren't 20/20 but they're not terrible. It's hard to tell if there's loot, hard to tell/ choose precisely which foe I'm attacking, etc. I'm so disappointed because I very rarely spend this much on a game. I played it for a couple of hours but my eyes were so strained I had to quit. If your eyes are good, I think you'll enjoy it! ### 3/5 — Not for iPad 1 *2012-09-01, version 1.0.1* A good attempt, but this is not for those with the first iPad. It crashes too often to allow one to enjoy what appears to be a good reproduction of the Mac OS game. Hopefully it fares better on later hardware. ### 4/5 — Original Story Great Game! *2017-03-15, version 1.1* Awesome game love the gameplay and awaiting 3rd instalment in the series. Would be great if it ran in landscape mode but still 5/5 from me! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great turn based RPG *2025-07-03, version 1.2.3* Easily one of the best written rpgs. Tons of quests, not a micro transaction to be found. ### 5/5 — Excellent Alternative to D&D *2025-01-26, version 1.2.2* These games are pretty good for the price. They are easy to learn and absolutely packed with content. If you like RPGs then you won’t be bored because there is a lot to do. The game does require a lot of reading but the writing is fairly decent so I’ve never minded how much reading I was doing. The humor is what really stood out to me. There’s a lot of clever stuff and subtle references that might go over the heads of younger players- 10 or younger. Overall I enjoyed this game and it convinced me to play all of their games. I hope they make some more. ### 5/5 — An Absolute Classic *2024-08-21, version 1.2.2* I played the original version of this game 20 years ago and its remake 10 years ago and never sat down long enough to complete it until recently — and boy I’m glad I did. This game stays interesting from beginning to finish, with an enormous world to explore and an amount of content unrivaled in other iOS RPGs ### 5/5 — Just what I was looking for! *2022-11-18, version 1.2.2* I wanted to find a mobile RPG that was a real RPG, and not some scammy app full of pay walls. Not only does this meet that criteria, but the story line is awesome, the puzzles are compelling (except the lasers in 3; those were a pain in the A), and I could play the whole thing offline. I absolutely love this game. There’s not another mobile app like it. Great development work, thank you! I have played the whole thing, the first one twice, and I could play again. It’s a little different when you make different choices, too. ### 5/5 — An amazing game and a great way to play it *2020-07-07, version 1.2.1* I first discovered this developer on the computer, and was thrilled to discover that they had released this game on the ipad. It has character classes, an interesting and engaging story, and fun mechanics. The world in the game is absolutely enormous as well. The only thing that might be a turn off for some is that this game is text heavy, but if you like a game that is great classic role-playing with huge replay value, this is it. ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2020-06-20, version 1.2* So much bang for your buck - many pleasant hours spent adventuring, with a good story besides! Thanks ### 5/5 — Fantastic game *2020-03-30, version 1.1* I recently discovered these Games from SpyderGame. I got initially hooked on Avadon and followed up with Avernum EftP. Wow. As I played this during the pandemic lock up in the UK I have had a full 2 weeks of playing! The game has easy combat and use mode. The story telling is superb and I like the fact I can use cheat codes if I get stuck. Most RPGs I just stopped playing in the past as I used to get bored of dying and doing the same fight over and over. I also like the fact I can use different levels of play from easy to super hard. I started On easy and will replay on a higher level. The game give us also great control on how our characters develop in term of skills. There is so much more to tell. Just get it and play you will love it! Now I will start Avernum 2 and will probably do the full series. Well done to the very talented creator of these games. ### 5/5 — Great game, many hours of play time *2019-06-01, version 1.1* Really great old school RPG. Writing and world building is top notch. ### 5/5 — So glad I found this! *2019-04-12, version 1.1* I absolutely love everything about this game and my characters are only level 6 at the moment. Can’t wait to continue further and so excited to see there are 3 more to the series I can play after this! I will be quite busy having a blast lol. Great writing, story,skills, ablitlies, items enemy’s u name it. Great job developers! Thanks for creating these! ### 5/5 — Amazing Game *2019-01-07, version 1.1* I’m so happy to rediscover this game! Seriously good game! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-20.*