Eye of the Beholder

The Good
- the gameplay is absolutely fluid, the controls are mouse and keypad only are easy to handle. There are no speed problems even on modern machines.

• the graphics were outstanding for the time being, one of the early VGA AD&D games (the first if I'm not mistaken), although there's not much animation. This is especially true when compared to other RPG's of that style from that time (Bloodwych, I'm looking at you...)

• this is also the first AD&D game that uses 2nd edition rules - all the "Gold Box games" still used 1st edition.

• the atmosphere really makes you feel as if you're in a dungeon. You might walk around a corner while some monster blasts you from behind and you won't find out until you're almost dead.
  
  The Bad
  - well, there's no real adventure part. It's kill monsters, draw maps, find out which keys fit where. Storyline is typical "kill the bad guy" and not much more. And the ending is horrid - after you geek the beholder, there is some text about how you've saved everyone and went back home safely. Also, you cannot save the game after you've killed the big guy, so when you import your party to EOB2, technically you import the party that didn't finish the game. Ooh well.

• there's only one save option. Thankfully they'd fix this in EOB2, as well as other little nitpicks.

• no auto mapping, although I have to admit that I had a lot of fun drawing my own maps.

• monsters are pathetically easy to kill if you're skilled at using both mouse and keyboard: whack the monster by mouse-click, then step back using the keypad before the monster can retaliate. Repeat till it's dead.
  
  The Bottom Line
  Still, a damn good game. A must have for every AD&D gamer, and if you ever want to play the even better sequel (EOB2 - Legend of Darkmoon) you ought to beat this game in order to import a good party with it's share of magical items etc., especially seeing how tough EOB2 is you need all the beef you can get.