Customer Reviews
Real D&D! 
2008-09-25
This is an utterly awesome, thoroughly engrossing game. I think it's about as close to real D&D as I've ever found in a computer game. One of the most important aspects contributing to the playability of this game is that it's tuern based......yes, just like REAL D&D. Really, it's the only way to operate a party of six. Is there room for improvement? Yes, the game did tend to lock up for some reason on the elemental plane of fire.........I'm not sure why. Also, woven into the plot were a few sub plots of um.....uncomfortably progressive social themes. I'm not sure why these were included unless the writer had some sort of political agenda which I, as a player, am not at all interrested in. Where else is there room for improvement, well, if I were to shoot the moon I'd ask for a turn based campaign similar to Morrowind which is turn based and allows for acquiring some sort of stronghold and hiring henchmen.Still, I'd have given this game a perfect rating excepting the odius social message and infrequent freeze ups. Definitely acquire this game, It's a blast. I'd just like to know why Atari hasn't followed up on this or if they plan to do so.
The Temple of Elemental Evil 
2008-09-12
If not for the bugs and typical new D&D rules adapted to computer games this game would be one of the best I've played.
First; the bugs. This game is riddled with them. The two times I played it all the way through there were: My wizard stopped gaining spells, My characters couldn't pick up items, Summoned monsters wouldn't unsummon(which was a real problem trying to conduct business in town to finish all the quests), numerous freezes, being unable to hit or be hit by monsters, and numerous others.
Second; the adaptation of new D&D rules. It just gets near impossible. I mean; a several hundred hit point Balor? Honestly! When did that ever happen in the original(not that I've read through it but I remember they weren't that powerful!)? Also, whats with applying the new crap about Will, Fortitude, and the other one? It's just another reason for the PC to seemingly manipulate the gameplay so as to produce a result adverse to winning. Maybe it's not the new rules as much as how the new rules are being used. Making the game more realistic is a good thing, but missing ten times in a row(uncommonly), something that would NEVER happen with real dice, just doesn't convince me the new rules are any good. What am I trying to say here? The new rules just provide more ways for the gameplay to be imbalanced. I would have preferred the original rules for the original game.
The game is enthralling, however; I'll put it that way. It really does a good job of sucking you into it's world. Plus it's complexity makes it one of the best, multiple beginnings, adventures, and endings make it not only replayable, but enjoyable to replay. Other then the things I already mentioned about the v3.5 saving throw system(and not to mention the computer DM's totally seemingly biased spell resistancing), the gameplay is a true adaptation. It is mentionable that I had a few problems with glitches trying to move characters in exact points. Both the fighting and the graphics of it were ideal. Sound effects, voices; both top-notch in my opinion. The story; I mean, seriously? It's a classic!
Last point to make: it was too bad you couldn't raise characters beyond 10th level. Sometimes you feel it's necessary.
Last last point to make: This is just a great game! Wizard of the Coast should make more in this fashion...without the bugs.
buggy and slow as all get out 
2008-08-28
What a frustration. There must be a patch out there I can't find. This game suffers from such slow game play it is a wonder it was ever released. Did any of the developers actually bother to play there finished product? Maybe so but it was too late to do anything about it by then. You will spend 90% of your time waiting in combat for your turn. Good luck with it.
Hail Flavius
Not bad but I've had better. 
2008-04-09
This is an ok game. I like the fact that I can make my whole party, player by player. the radial menus are ok. the combat is good. I like the turn based type of combat. That way i don't have players just standing there when they are done casting or whatever. Over all I am Happy with my purchase.
So Far, It Looks Great !!! 2008-02-03
My son recommended this game to me after I got my new computer (HP-dv9000 series laptop); he has been running it just fine on his Alienware machine.
I did notice that some of the music sounded a little strange, but after playing with the configuration for 10 or 15 minutes I got that problem solved. So, so far, the game looks fantastic, and it looks like my kind of game (I'm a big fan of NWN 1 and 2 and all their expansions). As an aside, I also like strategy games such as Galctic Civilizations II and Civilization IV.
I'll play around with this game for a week or so and then add an update to this review after I've had a chance to see how well it "holds up" on my computer. But, honestly, I don't anticipate any problems.
Update: After several days of trying to get ToEE to run on my new computer (which is running Vista) I finally gave up. However, I do have another computer which runs Windows XP so I installed the game there. I'm happy to say that it runs fine on that machine, and I'm enjoying the first chapters of this excellent RPG.
One caveat to the "style" of the game -- this is a serious attempt to recreate a Dungeons and Dragons experience using the computer as DM. Those that haven't played D&D (with the books and the many and varied dice) might not appreciate some of the subtleties of this effort by Atari. Not that playing D&D is an absolute must for enjoying this game; it stands on its own pretty well. But, for those of us who have indeed spent many long nights throwing 20-sided dice, this game will definitely bring back memories. And, the graphics (while not state-of-the-art) are eye-catching, the plot is fun, and some of the conversation is a hoot. Where else can you find so many hours of enjoyment for such a small price?
Best Wishes for a Peace Profound,
Abrah Neshamah, F.R.C.
Excellent Intro. Game 2008-01-04
Greyhawk: Temple of Elemental Evil challenges you to assemble ateam of great warriors to uncover a powerful, sinister force!
Excelent game 2007-05-21
ToEE is a very good roling playing game. The D&D rules applicate perfetly.
a disappointment - but still fun to play 2007-03-28
Atari really blew this one. Their interface is nothing but trouble - HIGHLY disappointing.
BUT...
This game rocks! The story line is fun, the villains are pretty hard, the end battles are great, and the epilogue is varied (depending on what you do). I really wish EA had done this game. It is good for a bout a week or two (assuming that you don't stop to sleep). More than worth the price.
If you like this - try the Icewind Dale games (you can get the entire set of 3 games in a Boxed set for less than $20 - maybe even ten)
I was hooked because - yes, when I was 16 I played the DnD version - which was one hundred times more scary - and about ten times more fun.
so much unmet potential 
2007-03-13
You know that saying "the whole is greater than the some of its parts"? Well, I feel the oposite is true with this game. It certainly looks very good. It has a very good turn-based fighting system that is easy to use. Stat building and leveling up is handled well. The problem is that these individual elements do not add up to an enjoyable game. It feels rather empty, and due to many bugs (several of which crash the game), I found myself eager to "get it over with" so I could play something else.
It lacks any meaningful plot and is basically a series of somewhat redundant battles. I got the feeling it was a great starting point for a really good game, but it never really went anywhere. On to KotOR!
Not bad if you're desperate 2006-06-03
If you love single player, multi-character RPGs like I do, then you'll dig TEE. It's no where near BGII, but it will keep you entertained for a few weeks. The only thing that slightly annoys me is that it's turn based, which goes a little slower than the space-bar pause games like BGII.
