dtgreene: Just some thoughts from reading a couple of the reviews of Pool of Radiance:
The one in Dragon Magazine in #143 makes a comment about the game not letting you choose the languages you know. Does the game even implement that mechanic? Known languages are not something I think of as a game mechanic. (Well, Daggerfall *did* have language skills, but I am not sure if they even worked or not.)
The one in CGW #54 is written by Ken St. Andre, who wrote his own TRPG, Tunnels and Trolls, and also did game system design for Wasteland. He liked the game, but criticizes spell memorization and the automap. There is then a counterpoint review by Tracie Forman Hines, who did not like the game. Her review does mention the "apparent sexism" of limited female strength, as well as the fact that the game gives portraits with beards when you choose a female character.
(I use the term TRPG to mean Tabletop RPG, as opposed to CRPG, which means Computer RPG.)
Edit: Looking more closely, CGW #54 has two reviews, and the comment about sexism is actually from the second reviewer. Will edit again soon after more reading,
Edit 2: Fixed the post to not put words into Ken's mouth.
Yeah, the portraits with beards when you choose a female character are for female dwarves, apparently. :D