Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor preserves the core dungeon‐crawling mechanics that defined its predecessors, offering turn‐based combat on a grid that rewards careful planning and tactical flexibility. Veterans of the series will feel instantly at home with the familiar interface—each character moves square by square, and actions are carried out with clear, precise commands. The game remains true to AD&D rules, allowing spellcasters to unleash a variety of arcane powers while fighters and rogues engage in close‐quarters combat.

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Where Assault on Myth Drannor distinguishes itself is in the expanded scope of battles and environmental design. Large open areas invite the entire party to deploy strategic formations, while new mechanics let every member attack simultaneously during certain encounters. This introduces an exhilarating layer of coordination, as positioning your cleric to support from the rear or sending your thief to flank an enemy becomes crucial when facing hordes of high‐level monsters.

The developers also introduced a broader arsenal of weapons and items, including enchanted swords, powerful wands, and rare alchemical concoctions. As you explore the ruins of Myth Drannor, you’ll uncover traps that test your perception skills and locked doors that reward investment in lockpicking. This balance of combat, resource management, and puzzle‐solving ensures each foray into the labyrinth feels fresh, even if the foundational gameplay echoes earlier entries.

Graphics

Visually, Eye of the Beholder III remains faithful to the 1990s aesthetic of pre‐rendered backgrounds and meticulously drawn 2D sprites. Each dungeon tile is richly detailed, from crumbling marble columns to flickering torchlight that casts dancing shadows against moss‐covered walls. Though the resolution may seem modest by today’s standards, the art direction infuses every corridor and chamber with a sense of medieval grandeur.

Character and monster sprites are animated with surprising fluidity, capturing the heft of a golem’s swing or the ethereal flicker of a wraith’s attack. High‐level creatures introduced in this installment—such as demiliches and rare fey guardians—are rendered with distinct color palettes and special effects, ensuring they stand out as memorable threats. Spell animations also receive an upgrade, with brilliant flashes and lingering wisps that heighten the impact of powerful incantations.

That said, some visual elements can feel repetitive after extended play. Certain wall textures and floor tiles recur across multiple levels, which may diminish exploration excitement for players accustomed to more varied environments. Nevertheless, the overall art remains charmingly evocative, and the user interface is clean, with clear health bars, spell icons, and inventory screens that streamline in‐dungeon equipment management.

Story

As the third and final chapter in the Eye of the Beholder trilogy, Assault on Myth Drannor picks up immediately after your party’s exploits in the previous game. While basking in the glory of their last triumph, the adventurers are approached by a mysterious man who warns of a lich on the brink of awakening beneath the fabled city of Myth Drannor. Ever eager for renown, your group accepts the challenge and is teleported into yet another deadly labyrinth.

The narrative unfolds through atmospheric descriptions and brief in‐game dialogues rather than lengthy cutscenes. This approach keeps the pace brisk: you’re rarely bogged down in exposition, but you’ll still uncover lore through magical inscriptions, ancient tomes, and cryptic messages scrawled on dungeon walls. These fragments coalesce into a larger tapestry, revealing Myth Drannor’s rise to power, its tragic fall, and the dark magics that linger in its ruins.

Although the story doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it provides a satisfying culmination to the series. The sense of urgency escalates as you descend deeper, with each level revealing clues about the lich’s machinations. The final confrontation carries real weight, both narratively and mechanically, as you confront one of the most formidable foes in the D&D universe. For players invested in the trilogy’s lore, this chapter offers a fitting—and often harrowing—resolution.

Overall Experience

Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor delivers a polished, classic dungeon‐crawling experience that will resonate strongly with fans of old‐school RPGs. Its blend of tactical combat, treasure‐hunting, and light puzzle‐solving strikes a satisfying balance. While newcomers might face a steep learning curve—especially those unfamiliar with AD&D mechanics—veterans will appreciate the depth and challenge presented by high‐level spells, potent monsters, and cleverly designed traps.

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on modern systems via DOS emulators or official re-releases, with quick loading times and reliable controls. The soundtrack and sound effects, though minimalistic, enhance immersion: the distant drip of water in a cavern or the echoing boom of a summoned elemental can be enough to send a shiver down your spine. This sonic ambiance, combined with the detailed visuals, compensates for the absence of voice acting or 3D rendering.

Ultimately, Assault on Myth Drannor stands as a worthy finale to a beloved trilogy. It doesn’t stray far from the formula that made Eye of the Beholder and its sequel memorable, but it introduces enough new content—open combat arenas, simultaneous party attacks, and high‐level gear—to keep the experience fresh. For anyone seeking a robust, story-driven dungeon crawler with uncompromising difficulty and old-school charm, this game remains a compelling purchase.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10