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One of the buggiest D&D games ever released, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, is back and actually playable again
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, a 2001 Dungeons & Dragons dungeon crawler notorious for serious bugs, has been rereleased on Steam and GOG in a playable state. The updated version has modern features and fixes the old problems, making it easier for players to try a game that was once known for corrupted saves, disappearing quest items and even deleting system files during uninstallation.
The game remains a simple, slow-paced dungeon crawl rather than a lost RPG classic. It draws on D&D’s third-edition rules but offers limited character choices and a basic story: a backup party arrives in the ruined city of Myth Drannor after the original adventurers are lost. Its turn-based battles and straightforward challenges can still be enjoyable as a low-stakes diversion.
In short
- The rerelease fixes the game’s notorious bugs.
- Modern features include widescreen and controller support.
- Its simple dungeon-crawling still has modest appeal.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The rerelease gives curious players a safer, more accessible way to try a piece of D&D game history that was once difficult to recommend because of its serious technical faults. Its straightforward, turn-based dungeon crawling may still offer relaxed enjoyment, and modern features make that experience easier to reach.
The case against
Fixing the technical problems does not change the game’s limited character choices, basic story or slow, simple design, so the rerelease may offer little to players seeking a standout role-playing game. Its historical notoriety and D&D setting may attract attention, but those alone do not make it worth revisiting.