Gateway to the Savage Frontier

SSI (strategic simulations inc.) was the sole developer/publisher of games based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons license. The first series started with Pool of Radiance set in the forgotten realms. Curse of the azure bonds was the first game in the series set in the Savage Frontier and developed by another studio called Stormfront. Using the same engine as previous games with a small 3D screen but mostly text based interface and a 3D overhead view when in combat the game should feel familiar to anyone who has played a gold box game from SSI before.

The game starts in Yartar where the party have just successfully escorted a caravan so you take your hard earned gold and go out and have a party. Unfortunately someone slipped something into your drinks and robbed you why you were out cold including your magical longsword. Having just enough left over to buy some weapons and armor it's off to go adventuring again. Soon you will come across characters who will get you involved with a plot by the Zhentarim to conquer the entire Savage Frontier. Along the way you will have the opportunity to get back your stolen magic longsword and come across many people offering you quests in exchange for gold or items.

Since the game uses the same engine as the previous gold box games you should be instantly familiar with it if you've played one before. There isn't much in the way of graphics or sound/music but the RPG part is all there. The character creation allows all the classes and races you can create in the pen and paper game like a human paladin, dwarven warrior, elfen mage or combinations of the available classes and races. The fact that the game is mostly text-based isn't too much of a problem because the game is very good. If you like the gold box series from SSI you won't go wrong with this game, it's excellent.