assassins also appears and targets all travellers and especially player characters. The player takes charge of a group of heroes which will, in the end, determine the fate of all of Avernum. Avernum 5 On November 12, 2007 Spiderweb Software released Avernum 5 for Macintosh, followed by the Windows version on February 16, 2008. The game utilizes the same game engine as its predecessor, but differs greatly in its plot element. Instead of being hired by Avernum (as with all other chapters in the series), the party of adventurers in the story fulfill the bidding of the Empire. The player controlling the party must hunt down the assassin Dorikas while dealing with numerous other obstacles such as spies and betrayal. Meanwhile, characters in the party are trained in over fifty spells and battle disciplines. Battle disciplines are applied on an axonometric game grid sharing an interface with Avernum 4. Avernum 6 Avernum 6 was released late 2009 for the Macintosh and early March 2010 for Windows and was developed on a low budget. In the time since the last game, Avernum has been struck by several disasters. The mushrooms which provide most of Avernum's food have been infected with a disease causing them to become poisonous and die, and the Slithzerikai horde has attacked. The player controls a group of Avernite soldiers whose job is to save Avernum. Rebooted Series Avernum: Escape from the Pit In 2011, the series was rebooted with Avernum: Escape from the Pit, which follows the same plot (and whose title is a portmanteau of) Avernum and Exile: Escape from the Pit, but features a greatly enhanced game engine and an expanded storyline. Avernum 2: Crystal Souls In 2015, following the reboot of the first game, the second game was rebooted, based on the same plot and title of Avernum 2 and Exile II: Crystal Souls. Once again it consists of game engine enhancements and additional plot elements. Avernum 3: Ruined World The third rebooted game, based on the same plot and title of Avernum 3 and Exile III: Ruined World was released on January 31, 2018. Reception The original titles in the Avernum series have frequently been met with praise for the depth of their storytelling and gameplay, while simultaneously receiving criticism for the use of crude graphics and game engines and lack of better sound effects. Although Avernum is an indie game, it is