Summary
- Release Year: 1991
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari Lynx, DOS, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PC-9800 Series, Sega CD, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Westwood Associates
- Publishers: Capcom, FCI, Kixx, Pony Canyon, Sega, Strategic Simulations, US Gold Ltd
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder (1991)
Introduction
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder is an all 3-D, Legend Series computer role-playing adventure based on the popular Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition rules and on an original story created for this game. The action takes place in the sewers and catacombs beneath the City of Waterdeep located in TSR’s Forgotten Realms game world.
The game was developed by Westwood Associates and published by SSI in 1991. It was one of the first CRPGs to use a first-person perspective and 3D graphics, and it is still considered to be one of the best examples of the genre.
Gameplay
Eye of the Beholder is a dungeon crawl in the truest sense of the word. The player controls a party of four adventurers as they explore a series of interconnected dungeons, fighting monsters, solving puzzles, and finding treasure. The game is turn-based, and the player can pause the action at any time to issue commands to their party members.
The game’s combat system is simple but effective. Each character has a number of attacks per round, and they can choose to attack with their weapons, spells, or special abilities. The game also features a unique “line of sight” system, which means that characters can only attack enemies that they can see. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the combat, as players must carefully position their characters to avoid being flanked or surrounded.
In addition to combat, Eye of the Beholder also features a number of puzzles and traps. These puzzles can be challenging, but they are always fair, and there is always a logical solution. The traps are also deadly, but they can be avoided if the player is careful and observant.
Characters
The player can choose from a variety of pre-generated characters, or they can create their own custom characters. Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must carefully consider their party composition before entering the dungeon.
The game features a total of 12 character classes, including fighters, clerics, thieves, and wizards. Each class has its own unique abilities and spells, and players must carefully consider the mix of classes in their party to ensure that they have all the skills they need to survive.
Setting
Eye of the Beholder is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, which is one of the most popular and well-developed campaign settings in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. The game takes place in the sewers and catacombs beneath the City of Waterdeep, which is a bustling metropolis located on the Sword Coast.
The dungeons are filled with a variety of monsters, traps, and treasures. The player must carefully explore the dungeons and defeat the monsters in order to find the treasure and complete the game.
Legacy
Eye of the Beholder was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best CRPGs ever made. The game’s innovative use of 3D graphics and first-person perspective set a new standard for the genre, and its challenging gameplay and memorable setting have kept players coming back for more for over 30 years.
Eye of the Beholder has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the PC, Mac, Amiga, and Sega Genesis. The game has also been re-released on GOG.com and Steam.
Conclusion
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder is a classic CRPG that still holds up today. The game’s innovative use of 3D graphics and first-person perspective, challenging gameplay, and memorable setting make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a classic CRPG to sink your teeth into, Eye of the Beholder is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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