Temple of Elemental Evil

[Phineas]

I picked this game up last week and it's really grown on me. At first I didn't like it, but once I got past the occasional bugs and got used to the turn-based combat, I started enjoying it a lot. In fact, I've been playing it all week.

I used to play pen and paper D&D all the time when I was younger, and this is the closest I've seen any game come to that experience since the old SSI gold box games in the late 80's early 90's.

It's entirely turn-based so you guys who are more partial to FPS's will probably not like it. The engine is not a hybrid turn-based system like Baldur's Gate was. Now you can throw a fireball without fear of one of your tanks running in front of it.

The strategy element is what makes it fun. Trying to set your group up in the most advantageous formation for the combat, memorizing the spells that you think you'll need, training in skills, using the new Feat system all make the game very challenging.

The game itself is extremely faithful to the classic D&D module of the same name and as I had an old copy of it in my bookcase, I've been able to use the maps to good effect.

The module was notorious for being difficult and the game is no different. They put an iron man mode in and even the Devs at Troika admit that no one that works there has been able to beat the game at that mode.

There are, unfotrtunately, a lot of bugs. Some of which may be game-stopping

But there is a patch on the way and this should hopefully fix most of those issues.

All in all, it's a really good game and I highly recommend it if you like classic RPG's.

[Elvana]

Interesting I may need to give it a try when I get my gaming time back.

I played D&D/AD&D back in the 80's as a DM/player and fondly remember that TSR module ... still have all my old modules and manuals stored.

Anyone remember the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, Garroten, Restenford, White Plume Mountain ?

[Guyute]

Ah yes, I remember the Secret of Saltmarsh... wasn't it lizard men or sahuagin or something?? All time favorite module for me was "The Keep On the Borderlands", first D+D I ever played.

[Elvana]

You got it Guy ... Keep on the Borderlands sounds familiar although don't think I played it. Still have the old red and light blue soft covered D&D manuals and the full original hard cover set of AD&D manuals plus about 10+ modules.

Pen and paper D&D set me up for my MOG addictions

[SuperHelix]

OMG KEEP OF THE BORDERLANDS

Best ever.. I still dream about it.