wrj@tridom.uucp (Wes Jones) (02/07/91)
Speaking as an old AD&D'r for many years, these games are by far the most fun
I've had on my Mac ( except for MacPlaymate :)} ). I have completed both Pool
of Radiance (POR) and Curse of the Azure Bonds (CAB) and am eagerly awaiting the
Mac ports of the remaining games.
The consistency of these games in terms of their compliance with the TSR AD&D system are very good. The visual combat system gives me a better sense of
AD&D combat than I ever got FRP'ing all those years. If I have any disappointment
with either of these games, it is because all of the AD&D spells (many of the more obscure MU spells) and player classes (Monk, Illusionist) are not available. None of the extended rules from Unearthed Arcana are included in these games and UA has been out for many years now.
Also, everyone has their own opinion about hint books, but I believe that for these games you miss much of the plot/story line if you neglect this option. I played POR almost completely to its conclusion before acquiring the hint book and found an enormous amount of detail regarding world happenings, sub-plots, etc that were only hinted at in the game. When I played CAB, I purchased the hint book at the beginning with the game and personally found that playing the game with my companion hint book to be a
thoroughly enjoyable method of play. NO mapping, hints (not complete give-aways) on particularly dangerous encounters, etc.
>>>>> POSSIBLE SPOILER <<<<<<<
BELOW
I did experience one problem (game feature?) in CAB that I found upsetting...Once I had accomplished the major objective of the game (bond removal) I wanted to go back and explore the dungeons and wilderness with my party. However, upon completion of the final battle, Elminster zaps my party back to Shadowdale for a big celebration and I can no longer "Begin Adventuring" with that group. This seams fairly contrived on the part of the game designers.
My work-around was to disband the party and build a new party from the individual members. This had the effect of placing all of my characters back at the beginning of the story with their starting money allocation (although they did get to keep their nifty weapons and other fun magical stuff appropriated during the first time around). I now can adventure in the CAB world, although I have those damn bonds again. I will get to collect a second dose of the fun goodies though.
Happy Adventuring.....
wrj.