Geneforge 2 – Infestation

Geneforge 2: Infestation is an old-school, isometric role-playing game (RPG) developed by Spiderweb Software. Set in the unique sci-fi/fantasy world of Avernum and Exile, the Geneforge series explores themes of creation, morality, and power disparity in a society ruled by Shapers—powerful mages who can magically create life.

The Setting: The Infested Island

The game takes place on an isolated island laboratory, a former Shaper training ground now overrun and contaminated by out-of-control creations. The player, an apprentice Shaper, is stranded here following a violent collapse of the facility’s control structure. The central conflict revolves around the nature of the "Infestation"—a surge of hostile, unpredictable, and often monstrously deformed bio-engineered creatures.

Unlike traditional fantasy RPGs, there are no swords or fireballs. The Shapers' power comes from Geneforging—the ability to magically synthesize living organisms (called creations or serviles) that fight and work for them. The player’s primary strength lies in their ability to create, sustain, and command this army of obedient, biological constructs.

Factions and Moral Choices

The narrative complexity arises from the four main factions vying for control over the island and, ultimately, the future direction of Shaper society. The player is forced to align with one, or even attempt to play them against one another:

1. The Shapers: The traditional, authoritarian rulers who believe their power is divinely sanctioned. They seek to eradicate the infestation and maintain strict control over their creations.

2. The Awakened: Serviles (the human-like creations) who have gained full self-awareness and demand freedom and autonomy. They seek to overthrow the Shapers’ rule.

3. The Obeyers: Serviles who remain fanatically loyal to the Shapers, believing that serving their creators is their ultimate purpose. They see the Awakened as a dangerous aberration.

4. The Rebels: A fringe group of renegade Shapers who believe that the power of Geneforging should be shared, radically changing the social structure.

The game is structured such that fulfilling one faction's goals invariably means crushing another. The moral weight of these choices—deciding whether artificial life deserves freedom or obedience—forms the emotional core of the game.

Gameplay and Creation Mechanics

Geneforge 2 offers immense character flexibility. The player chooses a class that emphasizes one of three paths:

• Shaper: Focuses on creating and commanding a large number of powerful creatures.

• Agent: A hybrid class, balancing creation with traditional combat skills (staffs and gloves).

• Guardian: Focuses entirely on personal combat, using powerful melee attacks and defensive magic, minimizing reliance on creations.

The use of Canisters is a key mechanic. These rare, volatile containers grant instant, permanent ability boosts, but carry the risk of physical or mental mutation. The player must decide how far they are willing to infest themselves with raw power to survive.

The game’s open-ended design and branching narrative ensure high replayability, as different class choices and faction alignments lead to radically different plot outcomes and ethical conclusions about the ultimate purpose and fate of the created life.