Pool of Radiance

Pool of Radiance - the 1988 role playing game for Commodore 64 from SSI.

Assemble a party and reclaim Phlan block by block. Explore in first person,
then drop to tactical top down battles using AD&D rules. Take council quests,
level up, and break the dragon’s grip on the Moonsea city.

Core loop
- create characters, equip, and accept jobs from the city council
- explore sectors in 3D, map by hand, and uncover lairs and clues
- engage turn based grid combat, loot, rest, and report back for rewards

Systems and items
- AD&D classes and races - fighters - clerics - magic users - thieves
- Vancian magic - memorize spells, rest to regain, manage slots carefully
- morale and fleeing - foes break under pressure, pursue or regroup
- world map travel - roam the Moonsea to reach ruins beyond Phlan
- code wheel - copy protection check before play

Level design and feel
Hub based city reclamation with sewers, slums, temples, and keep interiors.
Large multi disk adventure with frequent tactical set pieces. Clean icon
based combat UI and readable first person exploration on C64.

Why it is notable
- first official AD&D game on C64 and the debut of SSI’s Gold Box engine
- developed by Strategic Simulations, Inc. - scenario by TSR designers
- launched a long running series continuing in Curse of the Azure Bonds

Tips
- early game, “Sleep” wins fights - pair a mage with a cleric for heals
- buy missile weapons for everyone; opening volleys thin tough groups
- clear and rest in safe sectors to avoid ambushes while memorizing spells

At a glance
Year - 1988
Developer - Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI)
Design and programming - George MacDonald - Dave Shelley - Paul Murray -
Russ Brown - Victor Penman - programmers Keith Brors - Brad Myers
Graphics - Tom Wahl - Fred Butts - Darla Marasco - Susan Halbleib - Vince Reynolds
Music - Dave Warhol
Publisher - SSI (US) - U.S. Gold (UK)
Genre - Role playing
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2 - plus keyboard for menus and naming