Eye of the Beholder (2002 video game)
A 2002 GBA adaptation of the classic D&D dungeon crawler.
Last updated
Eye of the Beholder is a 2002 Game Boy Advance title from American developer Pronto Games, published by Destination Software. It adapts the 1991 computer game of the same name, though it is not a direct port. The story follows the same general plot: the city of Waterdeep, once peaceful, is under nightly assault from the Undermountain factions. With the City Watch undermanned, Piergeiron the Paladinson calls for adventurers to investigate the sewers, uncover the evil force, and destroy it.
The game employs a simplified version of the 2nd edition AD&D rules, offering only four basic character classes along with a selection of traits, feats, and skills. It more closely resembles the classic Gold Box games, such as Pool of Radiance, than its immediate predecessor. Dungeon navigation is presented in a first-person view, where characters can use skills to overcome obstacles and have very limited spell use.
When enemies appear, the view switches to an isometric perspective for turn-based combat. Defeating all foes ends the encounter. Players can recruit up to two additional characters, gather information, and buy or sell items through a menu-driven inventory system that requires equipping items to use them.
Critical reception was moderately negative compared to the original. NGC Magazine gave it a 41% rating, criticizing the slow pace between exploration and combat, a poor interface, and confusing menus, while noting the variety of spells and character customization as points of depth. GameSpy remarked that the game served only as a curiosity for older players and an annoying Western-style RPG for younger Nintendo fans unfamiliar with Gold Box games.
Lore & Background
The game is set in the city of Waterdeep, which suffers nightly raids by Undermountain factions. Piergeiron the Paladinson summons adventurers to investigate the sewers and destroy the evil entity. The plot is roughly the same as the original 1991 game, though the original did not describe the factions as united and organized under Xanathar's Guild.
Gameplay features first-person dungeon navigation with limited spell use, switching to isometric turn-based combat when enemies are encountered. Players can recruit up to two additional characters, gather information, and buy or sell items using a menu-driven inventory system. The game is not a port but bears stronger resemblance to the original Gold Box games such as Pool of Radiance.
Reader's Guide
Eye of the Beholder (2002) received moderately negative reviews compared to the original computer game. NGC Magazine gave it a 41% rating, criticizing its slow pace, bad interface, and confusing menus, while noting its variety of spells and character customization as positive points. GameSpy remarked that the game 'only managed to be a curiosity for older gamers and an annoying Western-style RPG for a new generation of Nintendo fans who had no idea what a Gold Box game was.' The game was showcased at the 2002 Electronic Entertainment Expo and presented at DunDraCon XXVII the following year, where company president and game designer Randy Angle was interviewed. Its significance lies in being a late-era attempt to bring the Gold Box style of D&D role-playing to a handheld platform, though it failed to capture the audience of either older fans or newer Nintendo players.
More in First-person party-based dungeon crawler video games
Test yourself
Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.
Answers checked against the source article
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Eye of the Beholder (2002 video game) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced