Summary
Why haven't you played it yet, dammit?
The Good
The simple fact is, this game is quite possibly the best roleplaying game EVER since Fallout. No other game has the astounding number of choices and consequences. In this game you can join the bad guys, the good guys, join up with one then switch to the other, or join neither. And the best part is, the choice doesn't came about an hour before the game ends (*cough* Deus Ex, KotOR, Fable *cough), it's based on your actions and what kind of character you roleplay as.
Another aspect I liked is the "build your own army" feeling you get when you're a shaper. It was one of my favorite moments in gaming when I created my first creature, a feyora named Geoffery.
Geneforge 2 also has a unique setting, part sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic. It's like having cold water poured on your head after years and years of mind-numbingly derivative high-fantasy settings.
The Bad
The interface is kind of clunky, and the engine is gettin' kind of old. I mean, for chrissakes, Jeff's been using it for what, over 5 years now? I'm no graphics whore but when Ultima VII, a beautiful game, weighs in at only about 7mb, there's no excuse.
Combat, even though it's turn-based (The only combat system that should be used in RPGs, IMHO), is well, it's not very good. You use the same button to move and to attack, so one misplaced click and BAM! you're screwed. Another goofy thing is how when you attack, your turn ends. Giving you no time to attack and then run. This is bad especially in some of the earlier battles against Creature Spawners who, not only are hard to kill, but spawn this annoying little bastards that do little damage BUT JUST WON'T DIE!
The Bottom Line
This game is some of the best roleplaying you can get on ANY system. And for the low, low price of only 20 bucks, who can say no?
