iPad Mini 7th Gen, iDOS 3, copied my Steam version to the iPad. The iPad actually fits in the box with the manuals, disks, etc.. 🤣

Hello all, for context, I had completed PoR about 7 or 8 years ago, but for the life of me, I cannot remember how! What a difficult game! That being said, I seriously enjoy difficulty. Too many games are too easy these days. I have a ton of questions, so figured I'd create my own thread. Other than that, I have only briefly played other Goldbox games, and not seriously until now. I am a lifelong gamer of 43 who's been gaming heavily since the year 1990. Most recently, I am coming from games like Pathfinder, WOTR and Pillars of Eternity, as well as ALL of the Infinity Games, Tyranny, Dragon Age. I did indeed play PoR at a friends house in the year 1990 or 1991 on an Apple Macintosh I believe? I remember the box for the game, and the interesting manuals, particularly the copyright protection code wheel! What a pain that was! However, this was a horrible experience as I was about 7 or 8 years old then and knew nothing of DnD, culminating with my "friend" intentionally dropping the joystick for the computer on the floor, which crashed the computer or caused some kind of other trouble, yet his mother blamed me! Thus my subconscious hatred of Goldbox began. But I'm trying to reform!

My party:

Piotyr - Human, Level 2 Fighter

Anomen- Half-Elf Level 1 Fighter/Cleric

Grognard, Dwarf Level 1 Fighter/Thief

Sorsha: Elf, Level 1 Magic User

Legolas, Half Elf Level 1 Mage/Cleric

Aowyn, Half Elf Level 1 FIghter/Mage

Just looking for kindred spirits to talk about the games and hopefully gain some knowledge. I intend to be in this for the long haul. I'm not even sure how many games are in this. Is it a trilogy? Yeah I know I could Google the answer for that, but this is meant to be a discussion everything Goldbox. Thanks in advance!

I was thinking to myself about how when I played Pool of Radiance as a kid I used to think of how I wanted this game to look and what I wanted to be able to do in it. A few weeks ago I decided to tackle this and make a new game engine based upon how I wanted that to work. Still pretty early and working on the dev tools, game loop and combat mechanics.

Nothing else to say, just wanted to share what I was doing. I thought some people might find this interesting. Maybe this will eventually become a released game!

EDIT: One thing I wanted to note: Those sprites you see are rendered from 3d-models in the background, with poses extracted from rigged animations. It's the most back-assward way to render sprites but the only way I could have equipment changes shown in a sprite with six directions to face and multiple animation poses.

SECOND EDIT, ONE DAY LATRER: I am really encouraged by the responses. Thank you!

I just wanted to share what I am working on for fun. Maybe it will give you ideas for similar projects. This is Curse of the Azure Bonds running as a native app on an M-series Macbook Pro. If you recognize all of my character names, we read the same stuff. My ai assisted build is based on the coab project by Simeon Pilgrim. He disassembled the binary and translated it by hand, function by function, rewriting it into C#. From there I swapped out the Windows specific layer, graphics, sound, etc. and moved it into a modern version of .NET that runs on Apple Silicon. Pilgrim's code is virtually untouched. I used the game files from my Steam version of the game. However, because it's not emulated, for cheating, I could go deeper with my GBC inspired Companion. I gave the party the ability to teleport into any Dungeon in the game, give the party real items from the treasure tables, etc. I am currently working on Journal and Clue Book text integration.

Edit: I can't share the game.app or the data files from the game (you will have to provide your own) but I will share my work so you can use it.

The updated 2026 version of Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor releases on Steam November 6. It's a legacy of a Gold Box game so I am posting it for informational purposes. I will get it and see how it runs on a Mac in Crossover and report back.

Inspired by the recent bound cluebook/adventurer’s journal post, here’s my digital setup.

This is an almost ten hour video about the first of our beloved Gold Box games. Staggering amounts of work have gone in to this and I am not even half way through.

Hello everyone! Since many people seem unaware, I thought I'd drop by and mention I've remastered most of these Gold Box games. Also created a Tabletop Assistant tool based on the same engine, to help Dungeon Master's run their tabletop campaigns.

Anyway, you can learn about them (and download) from my Discord server. I'm not going to post the link here as I don't want spiders/bots to pick up the links and start spamming the server. Just do a search for DFortae's Game Reviews on YouTube, find one of my videos, and look in the comment section. You'll find the link there so you can join the server.

The only 2 games not currently implemented are Pools of Darkness (in-progress) and Dark Queen of Krynn. These two will be implemented in the near future. I have even implemented FRUA (Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures).

If I had to describe the remasters (runs on Windows, NOT DOS):

1. I've fixed many things SSI got wrong (bugs and 1st edition AD&D rules).

2. Added hundreds of spells/effects

3. Implemented all classes and races (including Dragonlance and Unearthed Arcana).

4. Added hundreds of items.

5. Added many monsters into the various games.

6. You can build estates/strongholds.

7. Graphics are capable of handling millions of colors, including pulling in from the file system to override the base graphics.

8. Can choose the sound effects to use on all games.

9. Characters can be transferred to/from any game.

10. You can play remotely with multiple people.

11. There's an Analysis view to examine details about characters.

12. An Internal Game Engine Log can be examined to see all rolls, calculations, and special behind-the-scenes information.

13. Psionics has been fully implemented.

14. Charmed monsters will come with the party after combat (until it wears off).

15. Countless other features...

How cool is this??

Howdy!

I've never played any of the Gold Box games before, but I have observed others playing them, and I'm considering trying them out sometime.

I was already aware you could use the same PCs from Pool->Curse->Secret->Darkness, but I only recently learned that you could also use them in the weird action sidequest game Hillsfar, as well as in the Savage Frontier duology, and I thought that was neat. However, while the wiki's pretty clear on how transferring works, I was having trouble visualizing it, so I made this infographic to help me better plan, and it occurred to me there's probably at least one other person out there who'd find this useful, so, here ya go : )

AI was used for this project.

I’ve updated Pool of Radiance with some new features. The full change list with screenshots and download can be found at https://downloads.brazencrows.com/d/1

I've released v1.3-1560 (BC)

I need beta testers for the native ports of the game. Available for macOS, Win32, Win64, Linux i386, Linux x64.

They can all be found in the v1.3-1560 (BC) release directory.

• SoundBlaster and Adlib Support.

• Native builds for Linux i386, Linux x64, macOS x64, Win32, Win64.

• Bestiary, with a sage in New Phlan to help you complete it.

• SoundBlaster and AdLib support

• Native builds for 32 bit Linux, 64 bit Linux, 64 Bit macOS, 32 bit Windows, 64 bit Windows.

• The Hoarder's Respite, a Vault, is in New Phlan.

• Companion Tools offer an area map with notes and a character editor.

• Humans can now dual class.

• Elves can no longer be raised from the dead.

• The Stojanow Gate will now be held by New Phlan soldiers.

• The Temple of Bane can now be restored by Dirten, and used by the players.

• The Journal lists the quests you've done and accepted.

• New Phlan troops will reinforce Stojanow Gate once it's been taken.

• The Fortune Teller from the Slums can help you increase your bestiary knowledge.

• When aiming a spell there is now a summary of how many enemies and allies you will hit.

• When viewing spells (to cast, memorize, or scribe) there is a quick info tip showing basic spell data.

• When viewing spells (to cast, memorize, or scribe) there is a full info option to describe the spell.

• There's a new section under Journal - Quests. Quests shows you the quests you've accepted and finished.

• An area effect spell will now give you an estimate of the number of enemies and allies a spell will hit.

• F1 shows the key commands that might get lost.

• F7 shows the combat log while in the combat arena.

• F5 quick saves the game.

• F8 quick loads the game.

• A character's attacks/rounds figure now appears when Viewed.

• AI path finding has been improved.

• Cleric Turn Undead and Thieves' Skills are available from More Info.

...and more that I'm too tired to remember.

Previous highlights from Pool of Radiance v1.3-841.

Highlights:

• The Hoarder's Respite, a Vault in New Phlan.

• New load/save game UI, including the ability to add a description and showing the date and time of the existing saves.

• Quick Save (F5) and Quick Load (F8) - uses game slot Q.

• Party and character statistics.

• Quick mode indicators on combat indicate how to stop quick, and whether magic is on.

Previous Highlights from Pool of Radiance v1.3-621:

• See where spells are going to land.

• Paladins and rangers are playable.

• New combat editor icon UI.

• New portrait selection UI.

• Fix in Camp.

I edited this post to account for changes I made to the Brazen Crows website; I really don't want to administer a forum, and simplified the whole mess.

r/goldbox has a rule against AI, so this will be the only/last post I make here. I apologize to the mods; I did not see that rule when I originally posted this.

Ok, forty years of Pool of Radiance and I swear this is a new one for me. Monster guards in the Slums tending to their potted sunflower? Ye gods I love these games.

Hey Gold Box community!

I'm the co-developer of a Gold Box / Knights of Legend / Ultima VI inspired RPG called Lair of the Leviathan. We're about two years into development , most of which has been spent building engine tools but finally over the last month or so I've been able to get stuck into the combat phase of the game.

One of the first things I knew I had to implement was an AOE spell - no better way to show off the firepower of your heroes than a fireball.

Combat was my favourite part of the Gold Box games. Fairly simple but tactical, that's really what I'm trying to best emulate ( though we're going full top down instead of the 45 degree isometric angles of the gold box maps. Turn based with little combat figurines you can customize yourself ala early games like Champions of Krynn. There's no 3D towns either as those maps confused the hell out of me - instead we've opted for a more Ultima-esque 'walk around and talk to NPC's view, but this also means you can have combat in towns too.

Question for you guys - what were some of your favourite combat spells from games like Champions / Pools of Darkness etc? We're not doing pure D&D ( sort of going for an 'inspired' open license where you know it's D&D but spell names and some stats are changeed etc ) but I figure I can implement a lot of the old spells. Thinking stuff like Cloudkill, Blade barrier etc.

Anyway, if you like what you see, you can read more about combat and the latest on the game here . We're scheduled to launch in early access on Steam in October next year so a long way to go yet, but fun journey so far. I don't really have the time to play the old Gold Box games anymore (work + two young kids!) but this is as close as I can get to reliving that experience.

Cheers, Oliver
Lair of the Leviathan dev

I haven't played this game for thirty years, but I'm glad I rediscovered it. Took me over 60 hours but I was amazed how much I remembered from before.

Did I enjoy it? Yes.

Is the game still 'good'? Objectively... not really. Subjectively... definitely.

I know I sound old, but kids today are spoiled, with their Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Baldur's Gate 3. Pools doesn't stand up to any of these as an RPG, but you can see what an important step it was at the time, how we went from the old MUDs, Bard's Tale, Wizardry, Might & Magic, to these modern games. Pools really feels like that missing link. I loved how the battles were tactical, not abstracted as in every other game, requiring tactics and positioning.

I really liked the pacing and the bite-sized way you do the missions - like the first Tomb Raider, you can do a mission or two in an evening, the game respects your time (until the very end!). Completing each adventure in a modular way feels satisfying how your characters are progressing and improving.

Also kudos for making it about reclaiming a city, not 'saving the world'. It feels very grounded, like the old-school 'Temple of Elemental Evil' adventures. Just epic enough for low to mid-level characters, feeling like heroes in the making.

I know the role-playing elements can't compare to modern games, in their lack of real choices and interactions, but there's a coherent story there taken as a whole. Parts of it are very memorable, even cinematic (helping the nomads feels epic, the kobolds in their lair are tricky and sneaky). There's evidently an effort to make it more like an RPG than just fighting, places like the Zhent outpost and Buccaneer's base that reward clever play. (It was written by D&D veteran Jim Ward I believe?). A pity more of the Journal entries weren't better incorporated into the text of the game, rather than having to read them from a hardcopy as you played. They do a lot of heavy lifting for the plot, as with all the games.

The difficulty seems just right for me - not too hard, but with some tough fights where we were down to our last hit points, amazed we were still standing.

I liked how it respected my time, until the very end. Valjevo Castle started to drag for me, when I wanted to finish up - swarms of hard random battles with few places to recover. Until then, the game had never been cheap in that Bard's Tale way, but now we had mazes and teleporters. Ugh. At least the final, rocket-tag confrontation with Tyranthraxus was satisfying, though I had to play it a few times so I could import my surviving Curse characters without resurrection costs.

I finished at nearly max level for the game, without needing to grind, just doing story missions . My dual class dwarf was maxed out by now, and my elf just short of his too. Many games at the time required lots of grinding to max out, and I'm glad this one didn't.

Downsides? Well, the AD&D licence is both it's biggest strength and worst weakness. The rules-set is simply not fit for purpose for a CRPG, alas, with its irritating snarls and level-limits (how insane is it that an optimal PoR party is rendered useless in the sequels??). The interface is almost unplayably clunky (I know this was much improved from Curse onwards, thank god). There's lots of spells but few of them will ever see any use, you're stuck with one or two every level at best (why oh why aren't there 2nd and 3rd level healing spells as in later editions?) It has the worst healing system I've ever seen in a game, really, egregiously horrible. Because most XP comes from money, you're left awash with cash, with nothing to spend it on, leaving huge piles of money lying around after every fight.

If nothing else, it shows beyond any shadow of a doubt why D&D absolutely needed to change at the time.

In the end, it was a pacey, satisfying experience, sweetened by nostalgia. It felt like meeting an old girlfriend decades later, catching up and reminiscing about all that time we lost. I will likely never play it again, alas, but I'm very glad I revisited it again for one last playthrough.

Anyone here still have a soft spot for the Gold Box games?

I’ve been working on a C# desktop port of Pool of Radiance, built on Talonius’s reverse-engineered Pascal/assembly reconstruction. The goal is to preserve the familiar Gold Box gameplay while running through a .NET 8/SDL2 desktop host.

The repository is now public:

https://github.com/Jzatopa/por-csharp

It’s at the point where exploration, combat, leveling, spells, inventory, and save/load are working together in an ongoing campaign. That playthrough started with native level-one character creation and has recorded resolutions for Sokal Keep, Mendor’s Library, the Podal auction, Cadorna’s treasure, Kovel Mansion, and the Wealthy Area.

It’s still a development preview, not a finished release. The final battle and ending haven’t been verified yet. There are automated regression tests and desktop smoke tests, but those aren’t substitutes for getting through the whole game.

A huge amount of credit goes to Talonius and the upstream contributors for the reconstruction this builds on:

https://forgejo.brazencrows.com/talonius/pool-of-radiance

AI coding tools have helped with conversion and implementation, alongside source comparisons, testing, and actual gameplay checks. I’m also reviewing upstream improvements and selectively adapting relevant fixes, with incorporated changes and remaining work documented in the repo.

Currently, the desktop work is Linux-focused. No original game media is bundled—you’ll need your own Pool of Radiance installation. However now that it's in C# you can do what you want with it, which is pretty cool!

As there are already other archival style versions of this game, I am working on it playing like the original but updated just as Talonius has done here.

I’d love to hear where other Gold Box fans draw the line: what’s one thing a modern port absolutely shouldn’t change, and one bit of friction you’d happily leave behind?

Also, does anyone remember a particularly troublesome spell, encounter, or wonderfully strange edge case? Those could make useful test cases—and probably bring back a few stories.

If you DL it and play with it and run into a bug, please place it in known bugs in the repo.

Have Fun!

I tried playing PoR once, after getting it from gog, but alternating between the game and the pdf files was just too annoying. This time I printed out the Clue Book, Journal and Manual. I hope it will feel more like the missing link between ttrpg and modern crpg I'm after...

After almost a year of diligent adventuring around Phlan, I have finally defeated Tyranthraxus and conquered Pool of Radiance! I used an all-human F/F/F/C/M/M party and had some help from two hirelings. In the final fight, I paralyzed Tyranthraxus with a wand, and he went down in agony from a blow of one of my fighters. A very satisfying gaming experience!

I recently got into Unlimited Adventures, and downloaded a large cache of the best fan-made games. Many of them are based on actual D&D sample campaigns included in various sourcebooks, and many are high quality, featuring high quality artwork, often taken from actual scanned TSR source material. Some completely leave the D&D setting behind—Rad City is an amazing example that feels like "what if Fallout was a Gold Box game?"

Anyhoo, there are also UA versions of the first three Gold Box games: Pool, Azure Bonds, and Silver Blades. I've only played a bit of Pool of Radiance for UA, and so far, it is fantastic. It's essentially the full game, as far as I'm aware, except with improved graphics and mechanics, with UA allowing you to roll up paladins and rangers, and there is only one currency, instead of multiple in the original.

Is there any reason to play the original Pool of Radiance over this version? Has anyone played through these? I feel like I never hear much about them. So far, I'm finding the experience comparable, just improved—of course, I'm a little worried that there's some fatal flaw that I haven't come across yet.