Tabletop gaming giant Dungeons and Dragons has a storied history with the video game space, with some of the best RPGs of all time coming from the franchise. From the Baldur’s Gate games to Neverwinter Nights and Icewind Dale, there are dozens of titles set within the Forgotten Realms. Soon, Dungeons and Dragons fans will be able to relive a classic game, released for the first time digitally on PC via Steam and GOG.
Retro-style CRPGs are making a comeback in the wake of the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3. The turn-based combat and choice-based dialogue of these older Dungeons and Dragons games can be hard for new players to navigate, but Baldur’s Gate 3 went out of its way to modernize these mechanics to ease newcomers in. Dungeons and Dragons fans looking to check out other games in the Forgotten Realms will soon be able to experience a more accessible version of a 25-year-old classic.
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor is Returning to PC After 25 Years
Wizards of the Coast and publisher SNEG are teaming up to re-release Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor digitally, enhanced for modern systems. The classic turn-based RPG was first released back in 2001, and has been celebrated as a CRPG masterpiece among the likes of games like Baldur’s Gate. Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor is set to release on Steam and GOG on November 6, but fans can try out a demo of the game with progress carrying over to the full release during the Steam Next Fest.
Features of Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor
- Return to the legendary Pool of Radiance – back to where the legacy began
- Save Faerûn: answer Elminster’s call and stop the sorceress and the dracolich from using the power of the Pool of Radiance against the realm
- Party of six: create up to four heroes and recruit two more along the way
- Deep progression: level up characters to 16th level and cast 8th-level spells
- Includes over 90 spells
- Tactical turn-based combat and classic dungeon crawling for anyone hungry for more Dungeons and Dragons gameplay
- Optional turn timer for more engaging, higher-pressure fights
Boasting over 100 hours of gameplay, Pools of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor sets players out on a quest issued by the legendary wizard Elminster to find the cause of the evil emanating from a newly discovered Pool of Radiance. Players will delve into the elven ruins of Myth Drannor as they uncover the forces behind the resurgence of this ancient evil.
Gameplay-wise, Pools of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor plays similarly to other CRPGs, with a party of up to six characters engaged in turn-based combat where positioning can give the party a tactical advantage. Characters can progress as far as level 16 and access 8th-level spells, with over 90 Dungeons and Dragons spells included in the game. Additionally, new features have been added for this modern re-release, including:
- Runs smoothly on modern hardware
- Fixed numerous original game bugs
- Widescreen support, including 4K
- Sharper visuals
- Improved UI with the addition of the action bar and tooltips
- Adjustable combat animation speed
- Optional “Legacy” mode that preserves original gameplay and visuals
- Full controller support
- Reworked camera control
- Customize the scope of the enhancements with the in-game settings
- Other Quality of Life improvements
While SNEG aims to preserve the original experience of Pools of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor as it was in 2001, the game has also been tweaked to add modern enhancements. This release also includes Steam Achievements, Cloud Saves, and Steam Deck support, making it easier than ever for DnD or CRPG fans to experience a classic entry in the genre.
