Eye of the Beholder

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgia Factor: Many players who experienced the original games in the 90s express a strong sense of nostalgia, enjoying the return to classic gameplay and memories associated with it.
• Classic Dungeon Crawling: Users appreciate the game as a quintessential dungeon crawler, highlighting its engaging storylines, exploration, and immersive gameplay.
• Save Importing: The ability to import character saves across the trilogy allows players to carry over their progress and equipment, enhancing the experience.
• Quality of Life Features: The inclusion of the "All-Seeing Eye" companion app adds a modern touch by providing an interactive automap, which is praised for improving navigation.
• Party Management: Players enjoy managing their party, strategizing during battles, and the depth of character classes available.

The main cons of the game

• Outdated Graphics and Controls: Many users note that the graphics are outdated and the controls can feel clunky, which may deter new players who are not familiar with the original games.
• Difficulty and Confusion: Some players find the game challenging due to its brutal difficulty and confusing navigation, especially without a built-in map system.
• Bugs and Technical Issues: Users report encountering bugs, particularly related to character imports and game crashes, which affect gameplay experience.
• Limited Appeal for New Players: Those unfamiliar with the series or the AD&D rules may struggle to enjoy the game, as it relies heavily on nostalgia and prior experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Map System: A significant number of reviews highlight the absence of a built-in map feature, making navigation challenging and leading to frustration.
• Modernized Controls: Users express a desire for more modern control schemes to enhance the gameplay experience.
• Localization: Some players mention the lack of a French version, indicating a desire for more language options to accommodate a broader audience.
• Improved Character Mechanics: Feedback suggests that certain character abilities, such as lockpicking, could be more effective or better integrated into gameplay.

Summary

• Overall, while "Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection One" is celebrated for its nostalgic value and classic gameplay, it also faces criticism for its outdated mechanics and difficulty, particularly for newcomers.

Summary generated on: November 17, 2025