The Temple of Elemental Evil

 PC
The Temple of Elemental Evil Image
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Many years ago in the land of Flanaess, an evil demoness founded a cult dedicated to elemental evil, the four elements as symbols of true evil, and based it in a temple outside the village of Nulb. Eventually, after years of tyranny and chaos, the good armies of the nearby lands, headed byMany years ago in the land of Flanaess, an evil demoness founded a cult dedicated to elemental evil, the four elements as symbols of true evil, and based it in a temple outside the village of Nulb. Eventually, after years of tyranny and chaos, the good armies of the nearby lands, headed by the infamous Circle of Eight descended into the temple and razed it, imprisoning the villains inside. For years thereafter relative peace ensued, as daring adventurers slew the remaining monsters that ravaged the land above and the temple itself faded into but a distant memory...until now. [Atari]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
The Temple of Elemental Evil Video Preview

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. GameSpy
    90
    A rock-solid RPG that faithfully re-creates a classic adventure. It's only a few interface issues, lackluster storytelling, and a limited scope that keep it from being among the best in its genre.
  2. Quandary
    80
    This has been quite an enjoyable trip but not one of epic proportions. More story would have gone a long, long way.
  3. ActionTrip
    79
    The sheer complexity of the game clearly guarantees some serious RPG fun. But, the problem is that there's a great deal of gamers out there that never bothered to research the intricate 3.5 AD&D rules. The fact is that during the game, newcomers will surely find themselves tangled up in a sea of RPG details.
  4. GMR Magazine
    70
    The turn-based combat is fast paced, precise, and brutal—they throw the whole freaking Monster Manual at you, and the numbers these monsters roll are crazy deep.
  5. Gamers' Temple
    70
    Fans of the dungeon crawling genre will have a blast getting lost in the world of the Temple of Elemental Evil. Those virgin to this type of game may be overwhelmed by the wealth of options and complexity of combat.
  6. PC Gameworld
    64
    Promises great things and delivers them patchily. Playing for any length of time is an exercise in frustration - especially since the concept is a great one.
  7. Edge Magazine
    40
    Nasty, brutish and short - and that's once you've got past the interface problems. Temple of Elemental Evil is a huge disappointment by any measure. [Christmas 2003, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 30
  3. Negative: 5 out of 30
  1. Zoso
    Jun 15, 2012
    10
    Definitely a premium RPG, and probably the most faithful translation of Dungeons&Dragons 3E rules to the computer ever.

    I wonder how anyone    Definitely a premium RPG, and probably the most faithful translation of Dungeons&Dragons 3E rules to the computer ever.

    I wonder how anyone can compare Neverwinter Nights (a wireframe RPG :-) to this jewel that is superior in every respect, from the graphics through rules/gamplay right up to the deep and immersive story.    … Expand
  2. PolarBear
    Jul 31, 2007
    9
    This is one of the best digital expressions of dungeons and dragons ever, it includes most of the skills from pen and paper. It does have a This is one of the best digital expressions of dungeons and dragons ever, it includes most of the skills from pen and paper. It does have a few bugs tho.… Expand
  4. Bruno
    Apr 6, 2006
    9
    This game is not for everyone. Players that grew up on platform rpgs like kotor wont like this. This is much deeper game with intelligent This game is not for everyone. Players that grew up on platform rpgs like kotor wont like this. This is much deeper game with intelligent dialogues. The amount of non-linearity is just amazing. All Troika's games are excellent (arcanum is one of the best RPG's ever made, and vampire is great as well). TOEE is getting back to the rpg's roots. But i'm sure all those kids that their first experience with rpg was NwN or kotor shouldnt even try it. Cause you will hate, this game is for serious and patient players.… Expand
  5. CristianoM.
    Jan 12, 2006
    8
    The game is released with unacceptable bugs that seriously compromise gameplay. Luckily, there are now patches out by Atari which don't The game is released with unacceptable bugs that seriously compromise gameplay. Luckily, there are now patches out by Atari which don't cover everything anyway. As usual the unofficial patches (Circle of Eight) do a great job raising dramatically the enjoyment of a solid RPG which is unfortunately lacking a good story. My vote refers to a game patched with the official and unofficial patches! Unfortunately no patch will improve a weak storyline. Great combat system!… Expand
  6. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 23, 2023
    7
    Very special game, the transcription of the D&D rules are sublime. The party management is very good and the graphics are beautiful. TheVery special game, the transcription of the D&D rules are sublime. The party management is very good and the graphics are beautiful. The history is not bad, based on an classic paper D&D module, but the game has no pace and the player usually don't know what to do or why is exploring some areas.… Expand
  7. Derceto
    Jun 11, 2013
    6
    Having bought this game at it's initial release, I was overcome by the abundant lack of play testing and bugs that made it through. It wasHaving bought this game at it's initial release, I was overcome by the abundant lack of play testing and bugs that made it through. It was borderline to being utterly broken and unplayable. Having played through it again recently with updates and mod patching, it's a far cry from what it once was.

    This isn't your traditional rpg which has major story elements. It's more of a free roaming rpg based on the classic Temple of Elemental Evil module. It is limited to 2 towns, and 2 dungeons, however, the main play is meant to take place in the temple itself. Dungeons and Dragons has always been more a system of care and planning as opposed to fast paced action. This of course, means the combat is slower paced, and more strategic. It's not to say the combat system is poor, it's just meant to be played on a more strategic approach, and it surely caters to a certain crowd.

    The soundtrack is rather well done setting the atmosphere appropriately for the varying locations. Battle themes are rather well done and I never found them to get annoyingly repetitive. Personally, I think the soundtrack is actually rather charismatic and well done and has not appeared to get much mention. Voice acting is limited, however, far from the cringe worthy voice acting some games are known to carry.

    All in all, I think this game is a little above average, with no hand holding elements whatsoever. You are left to discover things, and fend for yourself. To some, this may actually be it's "appeal". Certainly worth checking out if you are a remote fan of turn based role playing games, or the Dungeons and Dragons franchise.    … Expand
  8. ShabiS.
    Oct 30, 2003
    1
    This game is slow and boring. Only DND fans will like it. NWN is better. NWN- Kapara on you.

See all 30 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
29
#29 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Current PC Games

Full List »
93 Sektori
92 Resident Evil Requiem
91 Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
90 Lost and Found Co.
89 Rhythm Doctor
88 Mewgenics
88 Dying Light: The Beast Restored Land Definitive Edition
87 Hermit and Pig
87 Cross Blitz
87 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
87 Tombwater
87 Mixtape
87 PRAGMATA
86 Diablo II: Resurrected - Reign of the Warlock
86 OPUS: Prism Peak
86 Perfect Tides: Station to Station
86 Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
85 Esoteric Ebb
85 Titanium Court
68 Last Man Sitting
All Current Games »