One of the lesser-remembered adventures in the Dungeons & Dragons video game catalogue is getting another chance to reach players, as Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor has been restored for modern PCs. Originally released in 2001, the classic Forgotten Realms cRPG is now available digitally for the first time through Steam and GOG, courtesy of publisher SNEG in partnership with Wizards of the Coast.
Developed by Stormfront Studios and originally published by Ubisoft, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor takes players into the haunted ruins of an ancient elven city, where a newly discovered Pool of Radiance threatens to unleash a wave of evil across Faerûn. After receiving a call from Elminster, players must assemble a party of adventurers and confront a sorceress and a dracolich seeking to harness the Pool’s power.
The party-based RPG features traditional turn-based combat and plenty of familiar Dungeons & Dragons mechanics. Players can create up to four heroes and recruit another two companions during their adventure, eventually assembling a party of six. With multiple races and classes, more than 90 spells, and character progression up to level 16, there is plenty of room to develop a group suited to the challenges ahead. Players can also choose between traditional turn-based encounters and an optional timed-turn system that adds a greater sense of urgency to combat.
However, the biggest attraction of this restored release is the work done to make the original adventure more accessible on modern hardware. The game now features widescreen support at resolutions up to 4K, sharper visuals, an improved user interface, additional tooltips, and a new action bar. Numerous original bugs have also been addressed, while full controller support, reworked camera controls, and adjustable combat animation speeds make the experience more accommodating for contemporary players.
Importantly, SNEG has also included an optional Legacy mode for those who would rather preserve the original presentation and gameplay. The various modernization options can be adjusted through the game’s settings, allowing players to decide how much of the restoration they want to embrace rather than forcing everyone into the updated experience.
For a game that has spent years largely outside the reach of modern PC players, this restoration provides an opportunity to revisit a sizeable Forgotten Realms adventure without having to contend with the limitations of its original release. Whether returning to Myth Drannor or discovering its dangers for the first time, players can now experience Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor on Steam and GOG for $19.99 USD, £16.75 GBP, or €19.99.
You can buy Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor on Steam or GOG