I bought this package mainly for Pool of Radiance. Well, I'm very disappointed with it. After a bit of configuration to get it to run, I have found that it's not enjoyable. When I was young, this was my favorite game and I used to play it every week. When I beat it, I would form a different party and do it again. I played this game so much, so I also remember it very well. Two big things that I'm finding with this GOG version; there doesn't seem to be any music, sound effects yes, music no; and the combat zooms in right on top of my characters so I can't even see the enemy. The music is very disappointing because I really used to enjoy the music of the game, but I can live without it if I have to. I really was looking forward to listening to it though. The combat issue is what is breaking the game for me. When combat starts, I'm zoomed in right on top of my party and I can't see anything else, no enemies or anything. I have to guess where the enemy is and move in that direction. When I move, the camera follows the character I'm moving so now I can't see the rest of my party. Things like this are important when your fighting melee, because if you run out of moves by the time you reach the enemy, you're basically giving them a free attack on you. This can be a big problem later on in the game when you're fighting enemies like wights and vampires, etc.. I want to play this game and I want to love this game again, but after many attempts, I just can't do it.
Disclaimer: I've only played the Computer locally, I haven't played any online games yet. I've played the Axis & Allies (A&A) board game since I was a kid (first edition). I think they did a very good job of re-creating the board game experience into a video game. The design is well done, and it's obviously nice to not have to setup all of the pieces. The reason I gave this only two stars, is because there is one thing that I find almost game breaking, and that is when defending, the game automatically picks which units of mine will be destroyed. There is a Defense Profile feature where you are supposed to be able to turn this on or off, but it doesn't work, this feature is always on. Furthermore, you are supposed to be able to customize the Defense Profile, but that doesn't work either. It's preset, and I can't make any changes. What the Defense Profile does is tell the computer, when you take hits, which pieces you want to lose. The default (and cannot be changed) is to lose the least expensive cost items first and the most expensive last. This may not sound like a bad idea, however, when you're defending and the battle is close, you take a hit and the computer removes your Fighter that defends at a 4 and keeps your Bomber that defends at a 1, you realize that can and will cost you the battle. Sometimes it's better to lose the more expensive unit in order to win the battle. Because this feature is broken and I can't change it, it makes defending incredibly difficult in some situations. Much of the other parts are designed really well though, so I did want to give it at least a second star for that. Fix the Defense Profile issue and let me chose my units destroyed and I would give it 4 or 5 stars.
