Temple of Elemental Evil (Gameplay #1)

Troika's 2D isometric CRPG "Temple of Elemental Evil" (2003) (based on Gary Gygax and Frank Mentzer's classic adventure module) is easily one of the most faithful adaptations of the AD&D system to have been released on the PC so far. It features a very respectable game engine (similar but in many ways technologically superior to the one used in Bioware's much more well-known Baldur's Gate series), gorgeous 2D backgrounds and a great, slightly atypical soundtrack. Above all, though, it's the sophisticated turn-based combat system that makes TOEE one of the most rewarding and challenging CRPGS of recent years.

The original release of TOEE was famously plagued by a legion of bugs, but the efforts of a very enthusiastic and dedicated modding community (which is still active to this very day) have resulted in several unofficial downloadable fixes (most notably "Circle of Eight") that both removes bugs, adds new quests, tweaks the difficulty level and makes sure that the TOEE adheres even more faithfully to the AD&D 3.5 rules. In other words, "Temple of Elemental Evil" has just gotten better over the years...

Update (22/04/09): Check out the brand new TOEE clips for HD quality video and sound.

Update (15/10/10): TOEE was released on GOG as a DRM-free download for 6 USD.
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/the_temple_of_elemental_evil

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Temple
• of
• Elemental
• Evil
• Troika
• Games
• CRPG
• AD&D
• Gary
• Gygax

[dwlnk]

Short as hell, and filled with bugs. But this game sure had some potential.

[Demiath]

@dwlnk I'd say most of the potential has been realized by now. The massive unofficial Circle of Eight patches may not have extended the actual length of the game by *that* much, but they sure did iron out the vast majority of bugs as well as rehaul the skill system to be more comprehensive and faithful to the D&D source material.

[Danster82]

This looks more like it, just tried playing baulders gate and found the interface and combat awful.

[Demiath]

@Danster82 Baldur's Gate actually has a better, less clunky interface than Temple of Elemental Evil. That said, TOEE's strictly turn-based and faithfully D&D-based combat system is better than BG's.

[Blashyrkh22]

Ugh I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of this game after months of searching, but as soon as I install it, IT DOESN'T WORK ON VISTA! Grrrrrr

[Demiath]

@Blashyrkh22 I can't provide any specific technical information, but the game should work on Vista. I don't know which version you got, but the one purchased from GOG (Good Old Games) works perfectly on my machine (which is also running Vista).

[Demiath]

@HardWarUK Well, "practically turn-based" ain't close enough in this case. There are some great articles available explaining the principles of why real turn-based works better than BG's and DA:O's type of fake turn-based system, but suffice it to say that the erratic "stop/start" approach adds a whole new layer of rather unnecessary unpredictability which reduces the tactical element by introducing stupid timing considerations which simply don't factor in to the authentic turn-based systems.

[pigboykool]

I love this type of true D&D style tatical turn base combat games; I am a huge fans of the original D&D Gold box series. Thanks for the info of the gog.com; this is definitely a game for me to get!

[spiraling69]

@Ohmythatspainful I'm playing through it now using the Co8 6/0 mod pack. Wow, it's really an awsome game! It has to be the best computer adaptation of D&D. It's like playing D&D on the kitchen table, but easier. I hope someday a more modern version of this game comes out. I still prefer this style over 3D graphics...

[mortenbakke]

@tenegon Well. I agree, but not quite. I mean i was younger when i played neverwinter nights 1 so when i think back I must had alot of fun, and the main campaign in NWN2 was not the best ive playedt. still i love the style of playing the castledefensive part, and be able to fortify my castle. Consider it was a upgrade from the expanisionpack HoTU where you have to get alliance to defend your castle.I do love all games with neverwinter, and I cant manage to put one or the other forward or behind

[tenegon]

NWN1 was ways better than nwn2

[Cha4k]

This game always felt like a proof of concept to me, rather than a full game. I wish Atari had given the developers more time (and money) to work on it.

[Blashyrkh22]

@Demiath Thanks, I just purchased the GOG version a week ago since I was sick of looking for workarounds for the CD Rom version and it works perfectly. This game is amazing (once I removed the bugs through mods and patches lol)